1. How many pupils under your local authority with EHCPs attend an Independent Special School? For the purpose of this request, I am using the term Independent Special School as those that identify as an Independent Special School in the DfE census. Please include both Section 41 and Non-Section 41 schools. These do not include Local Authority Maintained Schools or Academy Special Schools. Please provide breakdown by financial year – 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.
| Financial Year | Total No of pupils |
| 2019/20 | 774 |
| 2020/21 | 1030 |
| 2021/22 | 1278 |
| 2022/23 | 1354 |
| 2023/24 | 1462 |
2. How many Independent Special Schools are there in your local authority area? Please provide breakdown by financial year – 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.
From April 23 – Apr 24 there were 28 establishments in Devon classified as Non Maintained special, Other Independent special school, special post 16 institution.
From April 22-April 23 there were 27 establishments in Devon classified as Non Maintained special, Other Independent special school, special post 16 institution.
From Apr 21- April 22 there were 26 establishments in Devon classified as Non Maintained special, Other Independent special school, special post 16 institution.
From Apr 20- April 21 there were 24 establishments in Devon classified as Non Maintained special, Other Independent special school, special post 16 institution.
From Apr 19- April 20 there were 24 establishments in Devon classified as Non Maintained special, Other Independent special school, special post 16 institution.
For reference, this information is publicly available through GIAS at the following link Downloads – GOV.UK (get-information-schools.service.gov.uk).
3. Please could you provide your local authority’s annual expenditure on fees for day pupils attending Independent Special Schools. If possible, could this be broken down into an average per pupil spend as well as a total spend. Please provide breakdown by financial year – 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.
| Financial Year | Day Spend | Average Per Pupil Spend |
| 2019/20 | £24,182,547 | £33,036 |
| 2020/21 | £35,097,939 | £36,221 |
| 2021/22 | £44,637,760 | £35,625 |
| 2022/23 | £52,597,322 | £37,840 |
| 2023/24 | £56,067,509 | £38,747 |
4. Please could you provide your local authority’s annual expenditure on fees for boarding pupils attending Independent Special Schools. If possible, could this be broken down into an average per pupil spend as well as a total spend. Please provide breakdown by financial year – 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.
| Financial Year | Residential spend | Average Per Pupil Spend |
| 2019/20 | £4,059,295 | £48,907 |
| 2020/21 | £4,531,783 | £53,950 |
| 2021/22 | £4,385,598 | £57,705 |
| 2022/23 | £1,926,497 | £80,271 |
| 2023/24 | £2,122,881 | £78,626 |
5. Currently, what are the three highest annual fees your local authority pays for a day pupil at an ISS (this school may be in a different area). If possible, please could you provide the names of the schools.
| Priors Court | £288,390 |
| Ruskin Mill | £151,575 |
| Ruskin Mill | £115,222 |
6. How many pupils, who have their fees paid for by the local authority, and attend an ISS have had their placement terminated by the school? Please provide breakdown by financial year – 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24.
Devon County Council do not hold this information. Please contact the schools directly using information found at the following link Schools Archive – Schools Information.