Detailed plans on how Wiltshire can secure the best provision for SEND pupils to meet rising demand and ensure high standards will be discussed by council leaders.

Wiltshire Council has consulted with parents, pupils, schools and the community as it prepares long-term plans to invest in special education for the future.

The need to provide additional space is urgent as an additional 220 spaces are needed across the county.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday 19 November, cabinet leaders will be asked to approve a number of recommendations, including:
•The establishment of a new, maintained special school with a single leadership team to work across all three sites of St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise schools. This would be implemented no later than 1 September 2021
•The closure of St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise Schools as separate schools, as a related proposal no later than 31 August 2021
•Expansion on the existing Rowdeford site to accommodate up to 400 pupils as part of the new special school by September 2023
•Approve that the sites of St Nicholas and Larkrise stay in use until the new provision is ready, and it is appropriate for children to transition to the new site at Rowdeford. This is to be established by approval by cabinet of further consultation on the appropriateness of transferring the provision of St Nicholas and Larkrise to the Rowdeford site no later than 12 months before opening all the new provision. This consultation would be determined by the demand for places, views of stakeholders and wider development of inclusive education for children and young people with SEND living in Wiltshire.

To read the full article and quotes visit Wiltshire Council news page.