Decision details

To confirm the decision to reduce the number of residential beds at Rowdeford Special school, Rowde from 23 to 16 places.

Following consultation with officers and councillors I give notice that I am making the decision set out in the attached report.  If you would like to make any representations to me on this issue please do so by 19 March 2015.

Following a review of Special School residential provision in Wiltshire, and significant discussion and then consultation with Rowdeford School and governors only one option is being considered.

This decision is one step within a wider financial and strategic Special Education Needs (SEN) Strategy which is currently being developed.

As per the guidance laid out in line with Department of Education’s publication “School Organisation – Maintained schools” (January 2014) a four week consultation period was taken forward between the 9^th of January 2015 and the 6^th of February 2015. Information was made available to key stakeholders regarding the proposals and the background behind these proposals. Stakeholders were encouraged to respond by filling in a consultation reply form which was available, by post and email and via the Wiltshire Council and Local Offer Websites.

In addition two meetings were held in which parents, governors, staff and interested parties were invited to attend. The Head of Commissioning and Joint Planning, Susan Tanner, led both of these meetings. 14 staff and governors attended the first meeting and 14 parents and carers attended the second meeting.

There were 11 replies to the consultation, of these 8 were from parents and 3 from members of staff. No major concerns or objections were raised. Parents did note concerns about the support that could be offered to future families who are struggling with social care issues and these will be addressed through the wider SEN strategy and the wider use of Social Care strategies to support families. Staff raised concerns about job security and these will be responded to through the school and the appropriate HR polices if there are further implications.