Children's Services Management Team sponsor:

Pam Robinson - Deputy Director of Children's Services: telephone 01962 847991; email: [email protected]

Contact: Eric Smith - Education Officer SEN: telephone 01962 846245; email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 At his Decision Day on 10 December 2007, the Executive Lead Member (inter alia) authorised statutory consultations to take place with the governing bodies, staff, parents and other interested parties on detailed proposals for the closure of resourced provision for deaf and HI children at The Westgate School and Woodcot Primary School with effect from August 2009.

1.2 This report summarises the outcomes of those consultations. Consultation documents were issued on 18 January (Appendix 1A and 1B).

2 Recommendations

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education):

notes the consultation responses and approves the publication of Notices under Section 19 of the Education & Inspections Act 2006 of the County Council's intention to:

a) close the resourced provision for deaf and hearing impaired pupils at The Westgate School, Winchester, with effect from 31 August 2009; and

b) close the resourced provision for deaf and hearing impaired pupils at Woodcot Primary School, Gosport, with effect from 31 August 2009.

3 Background

3.1 Approximately 170 children in Hampshire have statements of special educational needs (SEN) arising from a hearing impairment. Currently (April 2008) 60 attend resourced provision in mainstream schools and approximately 70 attend a local mainstream school. (Other children attend pre-schools, special schools or non-maintained/ independent schools.) Thirteen schools (including three pairs of infant and junior schools) host resourced provision for deaf/HI children. Three of these schools have been designated to provide signed modes of communication and ten auditory/oral provision.

3.2 Consultations took place during 2006 on key issues related to the County Council's provision for deaf and hearing impaired (HI) children. Reports on the outcome of these consultations were made to the Executive Member for Children's Services in October 2006 and February 2007. The Executive Member agreed, at the latter meeting, that statutory consultations should take place on the proposed closure of resourced provision at five schools and the opening of a new resourced provision in Winchester.

3.3 The Children & Young People's Policy Review Committee (now Children & Young People's Select Committee) did not agree with the Executive Member's decisions. The Committee called in this item for discussion in March 2007 when they resolved to undertake some scrutiny work on aspects of the proposals. At his Decision Day on 17 July, the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) agreed to review the decisions taken on 15 February following consideration of the report of the Deaf and HI Scrutiny Review Group.

3.4 At his Decision Day on 10 December 2007, the Executive Lead Member received a report which noted the findings of the Scrutiny Review Group and the recommendations of the Select Committee, taken at their meeting on 3 October 2007, when they considered a report of the Scrutiny Review Group.

3.5 At his Decision Day on 10 December 2007, the Executive Lead Member determined that the prime criteria previously adopted as the basis for the review of resourced provision for deaf/HI children should continue to be aims for the development of this service. All schools with resourced provision for deaf/HI children were urged to be committed to work in co-operation with linked schools (both within local `pyramids' and other resourced schools) and with officers to contribute to a comprehensive pattern of provision which enables all deaf and HI children to receive appropriate support and education in a maintained school or local pre-school; and to develop in accordance with the five aims; providing:

· Both auditory/oral and signed modes of communication, according to the needs of pupils and parents' and pupils' preferences;

· Viability of numbers to maintain security of staffing and, wherever possible, of pupil peer groups;

· Geographical spread and accessibility;

· Continuity between primary and secondary linked schools;

· Outreach to children and young people in other schools and settings.

3.6 Woodcot Primary School in Gosport has primary phase resourced provision for deaf pupils who sign. Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools, Fareham, have resourced provision for pupils using auditory/oral modes of communication. There are currently five pupils attending the provision at Woodcot Primary School and six in Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools. The development of mixed mode provision will, over time, remove the difference in the nature of the support that these schools provide for their pupils. Woodcot Primary and Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools are approximately two miles apart. Resourced provision is available in Neville Lovett School (the linked secondary school to Wallisdean Junior School) and an amalgamation of the provisions in the primary sector would not, therefore, reduce the total number of pyramids offering resourced provision for deaf/HI pupils in the County, nor significantly increase travel time or costs. Amalgamation of the provisions would support the aim of achieving and maintaining viability of pupil numbers in each resourced provision.

3.7 The Westgate School, Winchester, has resourced provision for deaf, signing secondary age pupils. The school currently has only one pupil in this provision, who is in Year 11. Henry Beaufort School, also in Winchester, has resourced provision for hearing impaired pupils who use auditory/oral means of communication. Currently two pupils also receive some sign support, with staffing provided from The Westgate School. The schools are approximately one mile apart and the provisions in these schools are increasingly working together. The Westgate School will have no pupils in its resourced provision in September 2008.

3.8 Maps showing the location of these schools are attached at Appendix 2A and 2B.

3.9 The numbers on roll of the resourced provisions at these schools since 2000 are set out in Appendix 3.

4 Report on consultation and issues raised

The Westgate School

4.1 Nineteen written responses have been received to the consultation document. No meetings were requested by either The Westgate or Henry Beaufort schools. Of the written responses, 13 indicated support for the proposed closure of resourced provision at The Westgate School and six indicated that they did not support the proposal. (Copies of all written responses are available in the Members' library.)

4.2 Some responses expressed concern that the proposal may reduce the opportunity for hearing impaired pupils to be part of a mainstream school and to be prepared for participation in the wider community. Resourced provision will, however, be maintained at Henry Beaufort School, approximately one mile distance from The Westgate School, and its provision will further develop to offer both signed and auditory/oral means of communication for all pupils, according to their need and preference. The proposed closure of provision at The Westgate School should not, therefore, reduce the opportunity for pupils who meet the County Council's criteria and whose parents wish them to attend a resourced school to be placed at Henry Beaufort School. The resourced provision (for auditory/oral pupils) has been established at this school for many years and is already an integral part of the operation of the school.

4.3 A response expressed concern that pupils would not have the support which they require, and expressed the view that all children in the schools should learn how to sign. As noted in para. 3.5 above, an aim of the County Council's development of its resourced provision for deaf/HI children is to be able to provide a range of communication modes, available to all children in the resourced provision. This should ensure that they have specialist support available to them and that it may be sufficiently flexible to meet the pupils' needs as they change over time. It is the normal practice of the schools which have had resourced provision for signing pupils to also offer the opportunity for hearing pupils to learn to sign, and for sign language to become an accepted part of the life of the school (e.g. signing is provided in assemblies and other whole school activities. Signing clubs or similar opportunities for hearing pupils to develop signing skills are provided as extra curricular activities).

4.4 The chair of governors of Henry Beaufort School has expressed the school's support of this proposal. He notes that Henry Beaufort School welcomes the opportunity to develop its provision into signed as well as auditory/oral modes of communication. He expressed disappointment that it had not been decided to establish a resourced provision in a feeder primary school to Henry Beaufort School. Henry Beaufort School has its own nursery, Henry's Kindergarten, which could accommodate HI children. HI students have attended Peter Symonds College in Winchester, and there is, therefore, the opportunity for continuity of provision throughout the pyramid.

4.5 The chair of governors also expressed concern at the possible demands on staff to provide outreach work to pupils in local schools, in the absence of a resourced feeder primary school. The Westgate School has been able to provide outreach support, through both teaching staff and communication support assistants, particularly to pupils in local primary schools who require support of staff who are able to communicate through sign. Outreach support has also been provided to Henry Beaufort School and to a pupil in a special school. Even when resourced provision is available, some parents prefer their child to attend their local mainstream school; when a pupil requires support of a communication support assistant (CSA) with an accredited ability in sign language, it is often preferable to provide the necessary staff skills through outreach support from a resourced school. The present teacher-in-charge at Henry Beaufort School has also provided outreach support to a pupil requiring auditory/oral support at another secondary school. It is one of the County Council's aims that resourced provisions are able to offer outreach support to other schools; this should not, however, be to the detriment of pupils or staff in the resourced school.

Woodcot Primary School

4.6 Officers have met with the governing body, school staff, and parents at Woodcot Primary School. Fifty-one written responses were received; 35 expressing support for proposed closure of provision at Woodcot Primary School and 16 objecting to the proposal. (Copies of all written responses are available in the Members' library.)

4.7 Concerns expressed in meetings and written responses by those who have indicated that they do not support the proposed include:

· The provision at Woodcot Primary School is fully integrated within the school, whilst the resourced provision at Wallisdean is in a separate building;

· Many children from Woodcot Primary School transfer to Neville Lovett Secondary School;

· The closure of the resourced provision would affect every child at Woodcot Primary School, as all the children there learn to sign;

· Provision at Woodcot Primary School already provides both auditory/oral and signed modes of communication;

· The provision is well established at Woodcot Primary School. It has taken many years to fully develop the provision and it will therefore take some time to fully develop signing provision at the Wallisdean schools;

· The provision is an important part of the whole school; learning sign and being in the company of signing pupils is an important part of their education and acceptance of difference;

· Woodcot is a "fantastic" school.

These concerns are addressed in the following paragraphs.

4.8 The headteachers of Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools and Chair of Governors of the Junior School have written in support of the proposal to incorporate the provision currently at Woodcot Primary School into the Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools' provision. The headteacher of Wallisdean Junior School noted that:

· The travel distance for many pupils to the Wallisdean schools would be shorter than travelling to Woodcot Primary School;

· Wallisdean Junior School is a linked, feeder school for Neville Lovett School (which has secondary phased resourced provision for deaf/HI pupils);

· The "Ark" which accommodates the resource base is a large, purpose-built structure with a large classroom-sized room as well as a smaller room for small group work or for working with an adult. The large space allows "reverse integration" when large groups of deaf pupils go to the Ark together with their hearing peers;

· All classrooms in the school are equipped with sound field systems and furnishings which have a positive effect on the acoustics;

· The most recent Ofsted inspection report on Wallisdean Junior School (January 2008) noted that "this is a caring, inclusive school in which pupils are happy and feel valued" and "pupils are well cared for individually and in small groups, especially those with learning difficulties who are supported in the Ark".;

· As part of recent developments in which the school has been involved, classrooms and other learning environments are `the most visually stimulating and supportive as possible', which supports all pupils and particularly those who are deaf.

4.9 The proposal has been supported by some staff currently employed at Woodcot Primary School. The reasons for the proposal have been acknowledged, but concerns were expressed that the needs of signing children should not be seen as secondary to those who use auditory/oral modes of communication; the Wallisdean schools need to develop their deaf awareness; children should have access to skilled signers and current expertise should not be lost; and children should have access to a deaf instructor or deaf role model.

4.10 Woodcot Primary School has staff with expertise in sign language and many teachers and support staff across the whole school have developed "deaf awareness" and some sign language skills. It is acknowledged that the transfer of this provision into schools which currently offer auditory/oral modes of communication will require a programme to re-establish these skills, attitudes and awareness. The headteacher of Wallisdean Junior School has recognised this need and has confirmed his commitment to support this development. He has the benefit of having previously been deputy headteacher and acting headteacher of Woodcot Primary School before being appointed to Wallisdean Junior School. It is expected that opportunities will be created to appoint staff who have the necessary experience and skills in sign, alongside existing staff who are well experienced in supporting children through auditory/oral modes of communication.

4.11 The headteacher of Wallisdean Junior School has noted that his school has run signing clubs which have had excellent take up from pupils and staff and have contributed to both assemblies and performances at a local church. A parent of a pupil at Wallisdean Junior school also commented that her child had learnt a lot about signing at the school being with deaf pupils and has shown great interest in the children attending the resourced provision.

4.12 Some respondents supported the proposal as it would enable children to be part of a wider group of friends, and they would be able to transfer to Neville Lovett School with their peers from The Ark and from mainstream classes at Wallisdean Junior School.

4.13 At a meeting at Woodcot Primary School, it was stated that "children had moved from Wallisdean to Woodcot school because their needs were not being met". This comment has been repeated in some written responses. As noted in para. 3.1 above, the County Council's resourced provision has provided either auditory/oral or signed modes of communication. If a child who was placed in an auditory/oral provision was assessed as requiring signed support, discussion would have taken place with parents regarding the option of the child transferring to an alternative provision which offered signed modes of communication. In the last ten years, two children have transferred from Wallisdean Junior to Woodcot Primary School under these circumstances. The County Council's decision to develop mixed mode provision (i.e. resourced provisions offering both auditory/oral and signed modes of provision) will remove the need for such children to move schools in future if they need to develop signed communication instead of or in addition to auditory/oral communication.

4.14 To support implementation of the development of `mixed mode' provision, working groups have been established under the auspices of the County Deaf and HI Advisory Group and in liaison with the headteachers and staff of resourced schools, to identify staff professional development needs and to support a programme to enable staff to extend their skills and knowledge in order to better meet the needs of a wider range of children. This programme will also identify and support whole school awareness and development needs, to enable all deaf/HI pupils to be fully included in the life and community of each school. Two conferences have taken place to date, for teachers and for learning support assistants (LSA)/communication support assistants (CSA) to promote these developments.

4.15 Gosport Borough Council do not support the proposal. In addition to some of the points set out in para. 4.7 above, they have identified the potential for greater transport problems, noting that it is easier for children to travel from Fareham into Gosport rather than vice versa, as they will be travelling against the normal traffic flow at the beginning and end of the day. They are concerned that facilities for Gosport residents are moving to Fareham. Fareham Borough Council have stated that they have no objection to the proposal, but they suggested that subsidised transport should be provided for children affected by the change.

4.16 The concern of Gosport Borough Council does not reflect current patterns of travel as most children attending these provisions travel from outside the immediate Fareham and Gosport areas.

Pupils currently attending the resourced provisions at Woodcot and Wallisdean schools are resident as follows:

There is only one pupil from Gosport attending the resourced provision and this pupil already attends Wallisdean Infant School. There are currently three additional referrals for placement in September 2008, living in Horndean, Waterlooville and (moving to) Hayling Island. Transport will continue to be provided for children transferring to Wallisdean Schools in accordance with the County council's transport policy.

4.17 Woodcot Primary School was inspected under Section 5 of the Education Act 2005 in September 2007. The report describes the school as having an above average proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities. The school serves a community with areas of social deprivation and the proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is above average. There has been instability in leadership and management over recent years. The report notes that "pupils in the hearing impaired unit are well supported by highly experienced staff who ensure pupils enjoy their work and are well integrated in school activities". Pastoral care is good and adults and pupils enjoy good relationships. Generally the school takes good care of its pupils but support for pupils has not been effective and academic guidance is inadequate. The school was judged to require special measures.

4.18 Wallisdean Junior School was last inspected in January 2008. The report describes the school as taking pupils from a wide range of backgrounds. Cohorts vary greatly and although the proportion of pupils in receipt of free school meals is broadly in line with other schools, several pupils are from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, including those with statements of special needs, is much higher than the national average. Inspectors reported that this is a caring, inclusive school in which pupils are happy and feel valued. Their personal development and well being are good. The school's overall effectiveness is satisfactory. Pupils are well cared for individually and in small groups, especially those with learning or behaviour difficulties who are supported in the Ark. Staff care for, value and appreciate all the pupils. Relationships throughout the school are good. Pupils with statements of special educational needs achieve well because of the specialist support that many receive in the Ark. Other pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities and those pupils who learn more quickly sometimes achieve less well, because work is insufficiently well matched to individual learning needs.

4.19 Wallisdean Infant School was last inspected, under Section 10 of the Schools Inspection Act 1996, in March 2004. The report notes that, overall, pupils with special educational needs, including those with hearing impairment, make good progress as very effective support is given to ensure learning activities are well matched to their capabilities. Inspectors found it to be a good school where pupils find learning enjoyable and fun and achieve well. Overall, standards are average. Pupils are very well looked after, feel safe and are very well supported.

(The full Ofsted inspection reports can be accessed via the website: www.ofsted.gov.uk )

5 Views of the local County Councillors

5.1 The Westgate School: no comment has been received from the local County Councillor.

5.2 Woodcot Primary School: Cllr Denis Wright has stated that he cannot support what is being proposed. He noted that Woodcot has an excellent reputation for dealing with children who have a hearing impairment.

6 Financial implications

6.1 There are no capital funding implications directly arising from these proposals. The quality of schools' accommodation is kept under review and, where it would support the inclusion of children with special or additional needs, provision may be made from the County Council's allocation of Schools Access Initiative (SAI).

6.2 Deaf/HI pupils with SEN statements have their provision funded by the County Council wherever they are placed. In mainstream schools, funding is partly included in schools' delegated budgets, through the SEN formula funding, and partly allocated according to the provision specified on each statement. The arrangements for funding resourced provision (Agreed Place Number - APN) takes account of the different costs of provision according to phase and communication modes. Reducing the number of resourced provisions should reduce the current need, in some schools, to fund APN in excess of actual pupil numbers in order not to compromise the quality of education in provisions with few pupils. There should not, therefore, be additional revenue costs arising from these proposals.

6.3 These proposals should not result in children having a significantly longer home-school journey.

7 Personnel implications

7.1 If closures of resourced provision are approved, then consultations will take place with the relevant parties including the staff themselves and their trade unions/ professional association representatives as part of the implementation process.

7.2 Education Personnel Services are aware of the possible personnel implications arising from these proposals. They are already in contact with the four schools involved, as a result of the possible need to seek alternative employment for some staff with effect from September 2008 arising from an expected reduction in numbers of pupils in the Woodcot Primary and The Westgate schools' provisions. Discussions are taking place with the headteachers of Wallisdean Junior and Henry Beaufort schools to identify whether appropriate vacancies may be available for staff who may face redeployment or redundancy as a result of reducing numbers at the resourced provisions.

8 Legal implications

8.1 The Education Act 1996 requires (Section 315 (1) ) local authorities to keep under review the arrangements made by them for special educational provision.

9 Corporate Aims and Every Child Matters Agenda

9.1 This proposal supports the corporate strategy and desired outcomes of the Every Child Matters Agenda.

10 Impact assessment

10.1 Race, equality and disability impact has been considered in the development of these recommendations.

11 Crime prevention issues

11.1 None noted.

12 Conclusions

The Westgate School:

12.1 There has not been strong opposition to the proposal to close the resourced provision at The Westgate School and to incorporate its facility into the resourced provision at Henry Beaufort School. The staff in the two resourced provisions have been working closely together for some time, with staff from The Westgate School supporting pupils at Henry Beaufort School where they are bringing additional skills in signing which are beneficial to the pupils. The provision at The Westgate School has only one pupil who is in Year 11 and will therefore be leaving the school in July 2008. No other pupils have been identified for placement in the provision offered by The Westgate School in September 2008. Henry Beaufort School has expressed its support for the proposal and its willingness to develop its provision to accommodate and support pupils requiring signing, as well as auditory/oral, modes of communication.

Woodcot Primary School:

12.2 The proposal to close the provision at Woodcot Primary School has proved more contentious. Overall, there has been support for the principle of amalgamating the provisions at Woodcot Primary and Wallisdean Infant/Junior schools. The benefit of having a larger pupil peer group and larger staff group who can bring a range of experience and skills to the provision has generally been accepted. The key question is, therefore, whether the provision at Woodcot Primary School should close, and be incorporated into the Wallisdean schools. The main grounds presented during the consultation in support of the proposal to close the provision at Woodcot Primary School were: to achieve the five aims (set out in para. 3.5 above), particularly geographical accessibility and continuity between primary and secondary linked schools.

12.3 Woodcot and Wallisdean schools are approximately two miles apart. There are no geographical reasons for retaining provision in both schools when all resourced provisions are offering the full range of communication modes. The provisions serve a wide area in the south of Hampshire (with access to children living in both Portsmouth and Southampton). The Wallisdean schools may be considered more accessible to children travelling from areas surrounding Fareham and Gosport. No children resident in Gosport currently attend the provision at Woodcot Primary School.

12.4 Wallisdean Junior School is within the "pyramid" of schools linked to Neville Lovett School where there is resourced provision for secondary age, deaf/HI pupils. It has been noted in the consultation that a significant number of parents of pupils attending Woodcot Primary School also express a preference for their child to attend Neville Lovett School for their secondary education. In September 2006, 31.4% of pupils leaving Woodcot Primary School and 88.7% of pupils leaving Wallisdean Junior School transferred to Neville Lovett School. Within an established pattern of linked schools, staff are better able to liaise and plan together; this may assist continuity of curricula, consistency of teaching staff approaches, shared assessment and understanding of children's needs, and efficient use of scarce staff and skills. There are, therefore, well established links between Wallisdean Junior and Neville Lovett schools.

12.5 Wallisdean Junior School has purpose built provision for the resource base ("The Ark"). The headteacher of Wallisdean Junior School is confident that this provision can accommodate an increase in the number of pupils and can serve those requiring sign support as well as those using auditory/oral communication modes. Whilst the resourced provision at Wallisdean Junior School has purpose-built accommodation, children are fully included in the mainstream curriculum and the daily life of both infant and junior schools. The provision is an integral part of the school.

12.6 The principle of amalgamating the resourced provisions at Woodcot Primary and the Wallisdean schools has generally been accepted and supported in the consultation. Whilst recognising that the advantages and disadvantages of the retention of provision at Wallisdean schools rather than at Woodcot Primary School are more finely balanced, the retention of provision at the Wallisdean schools will be better placed to achieve the five aims set out for the development of provision for deaf and hearing impaired pupils by the Executive Member on 10 December 2007. The headteachers and staff at the Wallisdean schools support the proposal and are committed to develop their provision so that it has the necessary staff skills and knowledge and whole school approaches to effectively support deaf/HI pupils using all communication modes.

12.7 At their meeting on 3 October 2007, the Children & Young People's Select Committee recommended (inter alia) "that the Executive Member reviews the proposed delivery model and satisfies himself that the schools earmarked to host resourced provision have been selected on the basis of them being best placed to develop high quality provision, equal or better than that in existing established units". The most recent Ofsted reports on Wallisdean Infant and Junior schools confirm that they provide a satisfactory standard of education and that children in the resourced provision make good progress.

12.8 In 2007, the DfES (now DCSF) issued a guide for local authorities (LA) and other proposers on "Planning and Developing Special Educational Provision". This guidance states that: "When LAs are planning changes to their existing SEN provision, and in order to meet the requirement to demonstrate likely improvements in provision, they should:

- Identify the details of the specific educational benefits that will flow from the proposals in terms of:

a) improved access to education and associated services including the curriculum, wider school activities, facilities and equipment, with reference to the LA's accessibility strategy.

b) improved access to specialist staff, both education and other professionals, including any external support and/or outreach services.

c) improved access to suitable accommodation

d) improved supply of suitable places."

12.9 This proposal fulfils these requirements. Children requiring placement in resourced provision for deaf/HI pupils will continue to have access to appropriate provision in suitable accommodation where there should be sustainable peer groups, improved liaison within the pyramid of linked schools, and a team of staff comprising a wider range of specialist knowledge and skills. Pupils will continue to be able to join both curricular and extra-curricular activities with both deaf/HI and hearing peers.

12.10 Should a decision be taken to close the provision at Woodcot Primary School, transition arrangements will be planned for children already attending the school. Discussions will take place with parents and professionals who support the child to consider the prime interests of the child. When requested, support will be maintained to enable pupils to remain at their current school until their normal leaving date or until the end of their current Key Stage, with special support provided by outreach or other appropriate services (e.g. Specialist Teacher Advisers).

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

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

NB: the list excludes

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None