AN education leader has welcomed a cash boost for Worcestershire schools, including an investment in special educational needs.

As previously reported county schools are to receive a funding boost of almost £13million to build more mainstream school places with an extra £252,000 to improve facilities and build more school places for children with special educational needs.

The investment was announced by children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi on Tuesday. The investment will create more special school places in Worcestershire and could help build new specialist facilities to support children with complex needs, such as sensory rooms and playgrounds with specialist equipment.

Cabinet member with responsibility for education and skills, Cllr Marcus Hart said: "We welcome this additional money from the Government to fund extra school places in Worcestershire.

"The £12.9million announced for 2020/21 will be used by the county council to help fund expansions at good or outstanding schools in Worcestershire so that we can meet the forecasted rising numbers of pupils.

"Worcestershire also received an extra £252,480 for extra places at special schools. This funding, alongside the £1.1m announced earlier in the year, will allow us to provide much needed extra special school places over the next three years, meeting one of many key objectives in this area.

"We will continue to work closely with schools in the county to ensure we provide places to all children and young people and would welcome any additional funding in the future."