Issue - meetings

In line with statutory guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools, this report outlines the proposal to create a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding post?16 places at Winchelsea School’s Broadstone Youth Centre site. These developments support the council’s duty to provide sufficient specialist school places and form part of a wider programme to expand high?quality local SEND provision. The proposal responds to rising demand for specialist places driven by increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the resulting reliance on independent and non?maintained special schools.

By using surplus space available at Stanley Green Infant Academy and at Broadstone Youth Centre for post?16 provision, the Council aims to strengthen local capacity so that more children and young people can access appropriate education closer to home. Increasing provision will reduce the need for costly out?of?area placements, often involving higher fees and significant transport costs, while improving outcomes by enabling pupils to remain within their communities and delivering long?term financial efficiencies for the Council.