The SEND schools market, which Christie & Co, includes in its annual education survey, is still buoyant due to the growing demand for suitable settings that support the needs of children who are unable to access mainstream education.
This is supported by the Government’s pledge to increase core school funding by £3.5bn in 2023/24, of which almost £1bn will go towards high needs. As a result, operators are keen to meet demand by establishing new SEND provisions across the UK. In 2023, Christie & Co continued to see former independent schools coming to the market, the majority of which were sold in swift and competitive processes to SEND and specialist childcare service providers. Demand for organic growth, and the opportunity to buy businesses with established earnings continued to outstrip supply.
In 2024, Christie & Co expects:
• Demand will continue for SEND school placements
• More SEND schools are predicted to open in 2024
• The SEND market will continue to grow, fuelled by demand, but fees and costs are likely to be in sharp focus as budget restraints tighten.
