EXTRA face to face meetings are being held for parents of children with special educational needs to hear their views on how to invest £20m on SEN education in the future.Wiltshire Council needs to create 220 extra special school places by 2023 to meet growing demand for specialist education.

A meeting will take place this morning from 10.30am-12noon at Hardenhuish school in Chippenham and on May 2 at John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge from 6.30-8pm.

Parents from Larkrise school visited Trowbridge's new play centre Baloo's yesterday, after it opened its doors for a free session for SEN children.

Terence Herbert, corporate director children and education said: “The extended consultation is an opportunity to work together to secure the best future education for our children and young people with SEND. We want to work with families and staff to find a solution that meets the need for additional places and improves outcomes for children with special needs in our mainstream schools, as well as special schools."