A progress update will be provided on the Authority’s strategic reviews of SEND and Alternative Provision. This update includes continued discussion on matters presented to the Schools Forum on 10 July.

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to note the information provided.

(Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

The Deputy Director, Education and Learning, provided an update verbally on the development of the new 354 specialist places.

• 200 additional places are live from September, with further places coming in from October half term and from January, with the remaining places delivered by April.

• The Authority’s discussions with schools on the further creation of new places (in addition to the initial 354) continue with the expectation that more places will be created for the 2020/21 academic year and on an on-going basis thereafter. The Deputy Director again expressed her thanks to schools for their interest and support in this work.

• These places will be created through the expansion of Local Authority-led resourced provisions and existing school-led resourced provisions as well as the expansion of special school capacity, including the adoption of split site arrangements. The Authority does not intend to create new school-led resourced provisions. The Primary Behaviour Centres are being given the option to convert to resourced provisions at September 2020.

• The working group, requested by the Schools Forum at the last meeting, to further consider options for the development of alternative provision (in relation to the Primary Behaviour Centres and District PRU) has been convened for 1 October.

In the discussion that followed this update, Members asked the following questions and made the following comments:

·         An Academies Member highlighted for the Forum the issues for PFI schools that are expanding capacity and require capital / buildings adjustments, where these adjustments are triggering change notices and lifecycle cost increases. So, although the initial cost of capital works is being met through the Authority’s capital funds, the on-going adjustment to PFI contract costs will fall on schools. The Member expressed the view that the Authority should take a lead in negotiating a position on this with the LEP. The Deputy Director responded that the Authority is aware of this issue and is seeking to work this through with the PFI Operational Board. The Forum will be kept updated on progress.

·         The Academies Members representing Alternative Provisions, understanding that progress is being made, expressed concern that there is still a ‘system blockage’ and lag in the movement of students. He referred to his own provision, which is already full at the beginning of the academic year. He asked for an update on the position of the creation of the 40 SEMH places at Oastler School. The Deputy Director confirmed that these places are created, but that, recognising the vulnerability of these students, they will be occupied on a phased basis and that the Authority is working with Oastler School on this. The Authority is also engaged in discussions with secondary schools on the development of new SEMH resourced provision, which is anticipated will be live from January.

The Chair asked for a confirmation of staffing changes within SEND and Childrens Services School Improvement and the Deputy Director provided this and stated that an SEND team plan will be made available.

The Chair asked what the Authority’s position is in relation to the new wave 14 Free School programme that has recently been announced by the DfE. The Deputy Director responded that the Authority is currently working through the paperwork from this announcement and would be forming a view about whether an application for a new special school free school would be submitted. She stated that the Authority needs to be very clear about what we would want from a new free school, both in terms of our provision mapping as well as to increase the clarity and strength of any application we would submit. Both the Chair and Vice Chair expressed concern that the Authority’s assessment on this is made quickly and thoroughly so that we do not miss the tight deadlines and so that we get any application ‘right’ to improve its chances of success. The Chair asked for an update on this to be provided to the next meeting.

Resolved –

That the information provided by the Deputy Director, Education and Learning be noted.