Proposed creation of Specialist Inclusion Base at Petworth CofE Primary School

Summary of Proposals

To create a Specialist Inclusion Base (SIB) at Petworth Primary School. The SIB would provide specialist provision for a total of 12 pupils aged 4 to 11 years with social communication differences. These are known as a Soc Comm SIBs.

The term Specialist Inclusion Base will be replacing the term Specialist Support Centre (SSC) across West Sussex, to align with national SEND reforms.

Background

Petworth Primary School is a 1 form entry school. The school has been identified as having the ability to utilise space within their school that, with adaptations, can be turned into a suitable environment for an SIB.

Need for Change

There is an ongoing shortfall of specialist places in West Sussex and a requirement to improve inclusion in mainstream schools and increase specialist places through the creation of Specialist Inclusion Bases (SIBs). This is in line with what is being seen nationally - see Support for children and young people with special educational needs - NAO report (opens in new window) and proposed SEND Reforms. The County Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for all children who need a place.

In West Sussex there has been a significant growth in the number of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The county currently maintains over 11,500 EHCPs. Whilst we would expect most children and young people with an EHCP to be supported within a maintained mainstream school setting, there is increased demand for specialist placements.

Increasing provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through the creation of additional specialist places, will assist with the aim of enabling children to attend school locally. Consequently, this will reduce the number of children and young people with SEND moving from maintained mainstream schools and academies into maintained special schools and more costly education provision in the Independent and Non-Maintained Special School sector.

The creation of an SIBs in the Rother Valley area has been prioritised by the Service to support the overall creation of more specialist placements within West Sussex.

Staffing

The Local Authority does not envisage either school changing its ethos and mission. The school provides an outstanding education, with high-quality teaching and a nurturing school ethos that empowers each student to achieve their personal best. Staff are our most valuable resource, and it is important that should there be any need for changes these are dealt with fairly and sensitively. The County Council follows a national framework on school reorganisation called Making significant changes ('prescribed alterations') to maintained schools (opens in new window), and will work with those involved to support all staff through the process of change. The school would require an increase in staff numbers to accommodate the higher staff to pupil ratios associated with an SIB.

The proposal

Petworth Primary School is a Voluntary controlled School. The proposed SSC will accommodate 12 pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The leadership teams and governing bodies of both schools will not change as a result of the creation of the SIB.

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