Peterborough’s children may be ‘more needy’

Peterborough’s children may be “more needy” than children in other parts of the country, according to a senior Peterborough City Council officer.

The comments by Sheelagh Sullivan, head of special educational needs, were made at last Thursday’s Children & Education Scrutiny Committee.

A report discussed by the committee was generally positive, but highlighted the fact that the percentage of Peterborough’s children being looked after with special educational needs (SEN) is 37.6 per cent, much higher than the national average of 26.7 per cent.

Ms Sullivan added: “I accept that a lot more improvement is needed, but I also see that we are moving in the right direction.”

Asked if children with SEN are being removed from academies because they have the right to do, council director of education Jonathan Lewis replied: “I will not tolerate any school that does not give a child fair access to education.”

Jonathan Lewis