Archived decisions

Contact: Eric Smith : Education Officer SEN (01962 846245)

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought: that the Executive Member authorises consultation on the establishment of resourced provision (a "unit") for seven children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) at Cherbourg Primary School, Eastleigh.

2. Background

2.1 The County Council has 49 primary (including infant and junior) and secondary schools with resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs. The following primary schools are currently resourced to provide specialist support for pupils with EBD:

Bedenham Junior School, Gosport

Beech Down Primary School, Basingstoke

Trosnant Junior School, Havant

Specialist EBD provision is also available for primary age pupils in Waterlooville and Andover respectively, in Waterloo and Wolverdene special schools.

2.2 There are no specialist places, in either mainstream or special schools, in the south west of Hampshire. Some placements may be available in Vermont School in Southampton, but these are subject to the agreement of Southampton LEA and the availability of vacant places. Primary age children living in this area of Hampshire have limited access to local specialist provision and may therefore have to travel considerable distance to existing provision. Children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties who do not receive appropriate support from experienced and skilled staff are at high risk of exclusion from mainstream schools.

3. Cherbourg Primary School

3.1 Cherbourg Primary School has 336 pupils on roll and serves the central area of Eastleigh. The school has accommodation for 378 pupils.

3.2 The governing body has considered the proposal that the school is resourced for up to seven pupils with EBD at their meetings on 17 June 2003 and 3 July 2003. The headteacher and governors are supportive in principle of this proposal and have agreed that it should be opened to wider consultation.

3.3 In order to accommodate this provision, it will be necessary to provide a withdrawal space within the school. Capital support for the proposal would need to be found from the existing funding within the Capital programme. This will be a priority recommendation for the allocation of New Deal for Schools funding in 2004/2005, but will be subject to the total amount of funding available from the DfES, which is expected to be confirmed in December.

4. Legal requirements

4.1 Section 28 of the School Standard and Framework Act 1998 requires the publication of proposals whenever it is intended that a LEA-maintained school should undergo a "prescribed alteration". DfES guidance note 0395/2003 states that the introduction of resourced places in a mainstream school for pupils with statements of special educational needs (SEN), or the removal of such provision, is a prescribed alteration. Before a final decision is taken to publish notices, the Secretary of State expects consultation to have taken place with interested parties, including all parents and teachers at the school involved.

5. Other options considered and rejected

5.1 None. The lack of additional specialist provision will continue to limit the availability of appropriate school places for vulnerable children.

6. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted.

6.1 None

7. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

7.1 None

8. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

8.1 Not applicable

Recommendation

That authorisation is given by the Executive Member for Education for consultation on the establishment of resourced provision (a "unit") for seven children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) at Cherbourg School, Eastleigh.

Approved by: ........................................ Date: .............................

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers.

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list excludes: None