Lib Dems welcome Northease Manor School funding but warn of widespread funding problems

Local Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners have welcomed news that East Sussex County Council, along with West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, have reached a funding agreement with Northease Manor School that will run until the end of 2026.

News that the school could potentially be in danger of closure due to lack of funding had caused major concern for parents and pupils at the school. 

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Lewes constituency, James MacCleary, even wrote to the responsible government minister to press the issue.

"It is great news that a funding agreement has been reached but the whole saga really goes to show how overstretched and underfunded specialist schools like Northease are under this government. 

"Years of funding cuts mean that situations like this will become more frequent. We should be talking about expanding facilities and services for children with special education needs, but instead we are desperately trying to save what we've got left. We've won this battle but until we see a change of government to one that takes SEN seriously we will keep having to fight to keep the overstretched services we have left."

Councillor Sarah Osborne, who is the local County Councillor for the school, says: "Parents, children and staff will be so relieved that the school can stay open but it's so sad that they had to go through months of worry before an agreement was reached.

"Sadly there is a national shortage of places at schools for children with SEN and huge waiting lists for assessments. This is great news, but much bigger investment and reform is needed to the system to ensure that all our children receive the right support to get a great education."