Councillor Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the report regarding a proposal published by the Governing Body of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic (Voluntary Aided) Primary School regarding the establishment of specialist resourced provision at the school with effect from September 2022. It was noted that this was the first of a series of provisions coming through from the ‘Safety Valve’ agreement with the DfE.
Decision:
Cabinet:
1. Noted the outcome of the consultation; and
2. Approved the proposal to establish a new 10 place Specialist Resourced Provision for Key Stage 2 pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Speech Language and Communication Needs.
Reasons for the decision:
The proposal will build on the good standards for teaching and learning already in place at the school. The development will provide places for children and young people with SEND within the Resourced Provision. This development will not have any negative impact on other schools, academies and educational institutions in the area.
The proposed resource base will not replace existing provision but will supplement and improve provision across the borough, in line with the Safety Valve agreement and development of a broader continuum of provision through the programme of SEND transformation. The addition of the Special Resource Base to the school will not have a direct impact on admissions or provision at other schools within the area but will have a positive impact in the capacity and quality of outreach support to be offered to other schools.
Long-term value for money will be achieved by pupils having their needs met within appropriate mainstream provision with specialist support rather than in special school provision. This will free special school places for pupils with the highest level of needs and provide the opportunity to place high need pupils within the borough, rather than in out of borough provision. Increased capacity for outreach will deliver support for pupils in mainstream settings, leading to fewer pupils being transferred to specialist provisions and improving inclusion opportunities in mainstream schools.
Alternative options considered and rejected:
The proposal supports the Council’s programme of SEND transformation, in expanding in borough specialist provision, targeted at the right areas of need.