 Borough to get two new SEND schools
Two new schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to open in the borough after the Department for Education approved our funding application on Wednesday (1 March).
The schools, which would each have about 100 places and be based at Rooks’ Nest Farm in Finchampstead and Gray’s Farm in Wokingham Without parish, could be ready by September 2026. We’ll soon be inviting trusts to apply to establish them.
They’ll join Addington School in Woodley and Chiltern Way Academy in Wokingham, as well as Oak Tree School in Winnersh (due to open September 2023) in offering tailored education and support.
This will help us meet rapidly increasing demand and offer more of these specialist services nearer pupils’ homes. As well as saving money on out-of-borough placements, which we’re having to use in some cases, it’ll help children enjoy extracurricular activities and make friends who live nearby.
Most need in the borough is still met in mainstream schools where appropriate, but a growing number of children with SEND require special schools. The benefits include smaller class sizes, support from therapists and accessible, adaptable spaces.
 Teenagers hear debate on issues which impact them
We welcomed secondary school pupils from across the borough last week to our first Youth Politics Event, where they heard local councillors debate issues that affect their everyday lives.
The event, chaired by Wokingham Borough Youth MP Holly Mackinnon, took place in the Council Chambers at the civic offices and hosted representatives from local parties who were invited to discuss topics chosen by members of the youth council.
Liberal Democrats Cllr Stephen Conway, Labour Cllr Andy Croy, Conservative Cllr Pauline Jorgensen and Green Party Member David Chapman took part in the hearty debate.
They explaining the position of their parties on issues including lowering the voting age to 16, climate emergency, mental health support and the cost of living crisis.
 Register now for Easter fun
The Easter Holidays are just over a month away, what do you have planned?
Our Holidays Activities and Food Programme offers loads of fun, free activities for primary-school and secondary-school aged children, as well as tailored sessions for those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
There’s something to suit everyone with past activities including bouncy castle, football, laser tag, scootering, archery, football, dodgeball, bowling, paddle boarding, tennis, gaming vans, arts and drama and more, as well as a tasty nutritious lunch.
Those that get free school meals are automatically eligible to come to the HAF programme, and you may be able to get a referral if you are living on a lower income, have a child with social, emotional, behaviour or SEND needs or caring for a looked after child.
Watch what the sessions are like on our YouTube channel.
You can find out more and register online, or watch the videos below for more information and guidance on how to register and book.
 Could you host families from Ukraine?
Like many in the UK and abroad, people in Wokingham Borough were quick to offer any help they could when Russian invaded Ukraine a year ago.
Nearly 500 families have been housed here through the Homes for Ukraine scheme and we quickly set up a case worker team to help settle guests into the community; finding them health services, English courses, schools, benefits and many other essential things.
We have worked closely with our partner organisations to make sure that people who have left with nothing had clothes, food, toys and other essentials, as well as places to go and gather and get to know each other.
We are still looking for host families, so if you could offer a space please get in touch at yoursupport@wokingham.gov.uk or pop along to our information event on Wednesday 8 March, 6pm to 7.30pm at Elevate Centre (Seymour House, Denmark Street, Wokingham).
 Find a new home for old laptops
Wokingham Lions, SHARE Wokingham and First Days Children's Charity are collecting old laptops and donating them to people in hardship. The is known as ReTec.
All laptops are completely cleaned, refurbished and tested then loaded with basic applications. It's then distributed to those in need by SHARE and First Days.
You can help by donating your old laptops. This can be done at:
- Any Wokingham Borough library during its opening times - Wokingham, Lower Earley, Woodley, Finchampstead, Winnersh, Twyford, Wargrave or Spencers Wood
- Wokingham Charity and Community Hub, Waterford House, Denmark Street (RG40 2BB)
- Any SHARE Wokingham site
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Book a donation time - First Days Children's Charity, Unit 9, Molly Millars Business Centre, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham (RG41 2QZ)
What you might have missed
This was everything we’ve sent out in the last week. You can sign up for any of the newsletters above, on our website.
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