Story of success
Oliver Blezard looks after the animals in the outdoor area.
SEND hubs are changing lives as a new chapter begins at St Michael’s School in Coningsby.
There’s a real buzz around St Michael’s School in Coningsby and it’s all thanks to a brand-new SEND hub that’s already transforming the lives of pupils, parents and staff alike.
Head teacher Emma Eden has big ambitions for the school’s specialist provision, with a clear vision to make St Michael’s ‘a beacon of excellence’ for SEND education in Lincolnshire.
The school, which is part of the Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust, welcomes more than 250 pupils each day. It is now also home to a dedicated hub currently supporting eight children who face challenges within mainstream education.
Since opening earlier this year, the impact has been immediate and inspiring. Funded through Lincolnshire County Council’s £14.5m investment in SEND provision across the county, the new facilities at St Michael’s have created a calm, nurturing environment tailored to pupils’ individual needs.
The hub features a forest school area complete with an outdoor classroom, alongside an intervention room, sensory room, life skills space and a quieter lunch lounge for children who may find the main hall overwhelming.
“The hub runs alongside the main school,” said Emma. “That’s really important because it gives every child a sense of belonging and community, helping them feel more relaxed and ready to learn.
“To be chosen to have a SEND hub is transformative for the children, the staff and the parents. I want this school to become a beacon of excellence for SEND provision and I think we’re well on our way.”
That transformation is already being seen in classrooms across the school. Hub leader Bethany Louth says children who once struggled to attend mainstream lessons are now thriving in full-time education.
She explained: “We had children here who simply could not cope in a mainstream classroom and were attending on reduced hours because of the challenges they faced. Now those same children are accessing full-time education, and seeing their progress is genuinely joyful.”
“Each child has a bespoke curriculum tailored to their needs, and we can offer that because of the fantastic pupil-toteacher ratio,” she said. “Some children previously weren’t engaging with school at all, but now they are actively learning and feel part of a real community.
“The parents are overjoyed with the progress being made. Watching these children grow in confidence and reconnect with education is incredibly special. You simply can’t put a price on that.”
Headteacher Emma Eden, hub leader Bethany Louth and hub teacher Bethie Harland with some of the children Owen Thomas, Florence Studholme, Mason Benton and Oliver Blezard
Hubs bring hope for county children
Cllr Natalie Oliver
When I became Lead Member for Children’s Services, it was apparent we needed to do much more for our SEND children – and fast.
Too many families were struggling to access the support they needed. Too many young people were travelling long distances for specialist provision. I was determined that improving SEND services would be a priority, and we’ve worked tirelessly to deliver meaningful change.
One exciting development is our Better Belonging Strategy, backed by a £14.5 million investment to create a network of SEND hubs across Lincolnshire.
These provide specialist support within mainstream schools, offering enhanced facilities, smaller class sizes and specially trained staff at the heart of our local communities.
We know many SEND pupils can thrive in mainstream education when the right support is in place, helping them reach their full potential.
11 hubs are now open across the county, including in Sleaford, Lincoln, Gainsborough and Grantham, providing much needed SEND places closer to home. They also offer temporary support to mainstream pupils who need extra help at key points in their education.
However, we aren’t stopping there. Improving local SEND provision remains one of my highest priorities. Four more hubs have already been approved, with others likely to move forward in the coming academic year.
Our ambition is clear: wherever possible, children should be able to access high-quality SEND support within their own community. While there’s more to do, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and the opportunities we’re creating for our children and families.
