Background
In 2005 a review of SEN provision in East Sussex recommended that action should be taken in a number of areas, including reviewing the range of specialist resourced provision in mainstream schools for children and young people with special educational needs.
In late 2009 we asked for your views on plans to establish specialist provision at three East Sussex schools. In all three schools, we will support young people to access mainstream education, whilst making sure their particular needs are understood and met.
Bexhill High School and Hailsham Community College are part of a proposed network of 7 specialist provisions reserved for children with special educational needs that will be established across the county. Host schools will take responsibility for promoting the support of children and young people and they will become local centres of expertise for high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
These proposals would take effect from 1 September 2010, and are outlined in full in the three consultation documents below.
In brief
Bexhill High School – currently provides secondary education for 1620 students aged 11–16. We plan to cater for up to 22 young people between the ages of 11 and 16 with high-functioning autism (Asperger's Syndrome).
Hailsham Community College – currently provides education for 1440 students aged 11 to 18. We plan to cater for up to 10 young people between the ages of 11 and 16 with high functioning autism (Asperger's Syndrome). The objective is to support the young people to take part in school life alongside their peers to the maximum level possible.
Ringmer Community College – currently provides education for 805 pupils aged 11 to 18. We plan to cater for up to 21 young people between the ages of 11 and 18 with significant communication and learning difficulties. The College would provide a range of specialist support for these children including:
- supportive transition from primary schools
- placements within the College supported by the specialist provision
- providing outreach services to other schools in the local area as appropriate
- developing and supporting training for staff and parents.
Timetable
The documents below were published here in September 2009, and that consultation period closed on 31 December 2009.
Formal notices describing the proposals were published in the local press on 5 March 2010. This was followed by a further period of 6 weeks for you to comment on, or object to, the proposals. Following publication of these statutory notices we received no objections.
This final period for comments closed on Friday 16 April 2010.
The proposal was agreed by Cabinet in June and all three facilities have been given approval.
We will register the changes with the Department for Education (DfE) and the changes will happen in September 2010.
How to have your say
Please write to the address below if you would like more information or a printed copy of the proposal:
Matt Dunkley, Director of Children's Services
fao Tracy Mander
Access and Disability Project Officer
East Sussex County Council
South H, County Hall
St Anne's Crescent
Lewes, BN7 1SG
Phone: 01273 482967
Email: tracy.mander@eastsussex.gov.uk
Earlier consultations related to this topic
East Sussex County Council