Proposal to open a resourced provision for children with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs at Pennington Junior School
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Hampshire County Council would like to hear your views on the proposal to open a resourced provision for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) at Pennington Junior School, Lymington
The new provision is required as there has been an increase in the number of children with SEMH needs and an EHCP in the New Forest are of Hampshire. It is also needed to support the Hampshire wide strategy of offering support for pupils to access mainstream education close to their local community but with additional support if necessary. The proposed new provision will cater for up to five pupils aged 7-11 and if agreed will be available from May 2020.
Reason for proposal
Hampshire County Council is committed to expanding successful provision where possible to meet demand. Currently there is an increased need to provide school places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties in this area of the county. This proposal will provide much needed specialist educational capacity to meet this increased need.
The Consultation
The primary purpose of this consultation is to seek the view of consultees on the principle of increasing the school capacity to meet the demand for additional special school places in the local area. We understand that you may have some questions regarding how the school building will accommodate these pupils. It is important to hear your views at this stage so we can consider them should approval to increase the capacity of the school be obtained.
If so, a statutory public notice will be published, setting out Hampshire County Council’s intent to increase the capacity of the school. It is anticipated that this will be published in March 2020.
After the date of publication there will be a four-week period in which any representations can be made. After the conclusion of this period the County Council will decide whether or not to proceed with the proposal. It is anticipated that a decision will be made in April 2020.
Further information
A drop-in session where you will be able to discuss the proposals with Hampshire County Council officers is planned for the 4 February 2020 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at Pennington Junior School.
If you are unable to attend this session and wish to make a comment then please write to Christine Jones, SEN Service Manager, Children’s Services Department, EII Court North, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG or e-mail [email protected] by the 14 February 2020.