Decision details

20.1     The Lead Member received a report from the Director of Children’s Services regarding the proposal to establish SEN (Special Educational Needs) facilities at Priory School and Robertsbridge Community College.

20.2     The Lead Member RESOLED to:

1) authorise the publication of a statutory notice in respect of a proposal to establish new SEN (Special Educational Needs) specialist facilities for up to 12 pupils each at Priory School and Robertsbridge Community College with effect from 1 September 2020; and

2) delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to amend the proposals prior to their publication if required.

Reason

20.3     The Council has identified a gap in specialist provision in mainstream secondary schools for pupils with a primary need of specific learning difficulties, with associated special educational needs (e.g. anxiety and high functioning autism) in both the west and east of the county and the Council would like to establish two facilities for up to 12 pupils, one at Priory School and the other at Robertsbridge Community College to address this provision gap.

20.4     The majority of respondents to the consultation were supportive to the proposals of establishing the two specialist facilities.