Issue - meetings

In line with the requirements of statutory guidance Making significant changes to maintained schools, the purpose of this report is to set out the proposal to establish a new Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School. The proposal forms part of the council’s work to provide access to sufficient, specialist school places and is one a number of projects that will provide local places for local children in line with our statutory responsibilities to strengthen and expand high?quality SEND provision to meet growing demand.

The proposal aims to address increasing pressure on school places resulting from the rising number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). A lack of sufficient local capacity has led to a higher number of placements in independent and non?maintained special schools (INMSS).

By expanding provision within Somerford Primary School, the council seeks to build on the strengths of local settings and enable more children and young people to access appropriate education closer to home. Increasing local capacity in Christchurch will reduce reliance on costly out?of?area placements, which typically involve higher fees and significant transport costs. This approach not only supports better outcomes for pupils by allowing them to remain within their communities but also delivers long?term financial efficiencies for the Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed with the proposal to establish a new Resourced Provision for primary aged school children with SEND at Somerford Primary School with effect from 1 April 2026.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

To ensure sufficient school places for children with special educational needs in the Somerford and wider Christchurch area. Establishing a new 16-place Resourced Provision on the Somerford Primary School site will strengthen the Council’s strategy of supporting children with additional needs within mainstream education. This provision will combine the benefits of a mainstream school environment with tailored specialist support, enabling children with Education, Health and Care Plans to access high-quality learning and achieve their full potential.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in line with the requirements of statutory guidance Making significant changes to maintained schools, the report sought to set out the proposal to establish a new Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School, and that the proposal formed part of the council’s work to provide access to sufficient, specialist school places and is one a number of projects that will provide local places for local children in line with our statutory responsibilities to strengthen and expand high?quality SEND provision to meet growing demand.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the proposal aimed to address increasing pressure on school places resulting from the rising number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and that a lack of sufficient local capacity has led to a higher number of placements in independent and non?maintained special schools (INMSS).

Further to this Cabinet was advised that by expanding provision within Somerford Primary School, the council sought to build on the strengths of local settings and enable more children and young people to access appropriate education closer to home, and that increasing local capacity in Christchurch would reduce reliance on costly out?of?area placements, which typically involve higher fees and significant transport costs.

Cabinet was informed that this approach not only supported better outcomes for pupils by allowing them to remain within their communities but also delivered long?term financial efficiencies for the Council.

The Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown addressed the Cabinet advising that whilst the report hadn’t been formally brought before the Committee that the Committee would certainly have endorsed the report and highlighted that this was the direction of travel which needed to be taken.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed with the proposal to establish a new Resourced Provision for primary aged school children with SEND at Somerford Primary School with effect from 1 April 2026.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

To ensure sufficient school places for children with special educational needs in the Somerford and wider Christchurch area. Establishing a new 16-place Resourced Provision on the Somerford Primary School site will strengthen the Council’s strategy of supporting children with additional needs within mainstream education. This provision will combine the benefits of a mainstream school environment with tailored specialist support, enabling children with Education, Health and Care Plans to access high-quality learning and achieve their full potential.