Decision details

To determine the proposed expansion of the Special Educational Needs designation for pupils at Rowdeford Special School, Rowde, Wiltshire to include severe learning difficulties (SLD).

Following consultation and representation, I have made the decision set out in the attached report for Rowdeford Special School to expand the Special Educational Needs designation for pupils at Rowdeford Special School, Rowde, Wiltshire to include pupils with severe learning disabilities (SLD). This will become effective from 1st of June 2018 and implemented in the start of the term in June 2018.

This decision was published on 25 April 2018 and will come into force on 3 May 2018.

The feedback has been reviewed and it has been considered it is the right decision for children and young people in Wiltshire with SEN to expand the Special Educational Needs designation for pupils at Rowdeford Special School, Rowde, Wiltshire to include pupils with severe learning disabilities (SLD).

This decision would come into effect from the start of term in June 2018 with a process of training, development and planning to enable pupils with SLD to attend Rowdeford Special School.

·       To continue the existing SEN designations for the School and for other Wiltshire Special Schools to expand their designations or increase numbers. This has been rejected as there is limited space on the other schools’ sites to expand (Larkrise and St Nicholas), the schools are not in the right locality for pupils in the north east and west of the County (Exeter House) and, while extending SEN designation to SLD is a graded progression for Rowdeford school, it would be a significant change for the other two schools in the local area (Springfield and Downland). In addition, this would not meet the need to ensure that the high level expertise at Rowdeford school is focused on those children/young people with higher levels of SEN.

·       To expand the Special Educational Needs designation for pupils at Rowdeford Special School, to include SLD. (This proposal)

·       Wider options are also being prepared through the Special Schools project which will complement the proposal made here, addressing the County wide issues around location, expansion and other matters pertaining to special school provision across Wiltshire.

As a part of the cabinet decisions made on the 7th of November 2017 regarding the development of special schools  it was agreed that consultation should go forward to consider expanding the SEN designation of Rowdeford special school to include severe learning disability (SLD). As per the guidance within the Department of Education’s publication “School Organisation – Maintained schools” (April 2016) a four week consultation period was undertaken between the 22nd of January 2018 and the 16th of February 2018. The consultation documentation was made available to key stakeholders. Stakeholders were encouraged to respond by filling in a consultation reply form, by post, email and via the Wiltshire Council and Local Offer Websites .

In addition, meetings were held with parents, governors, staff, pupils and interested parties. The SEN Lead Commissioner and the Head teacher led the meetings with staff, governors and parents. The school led the consultation with the pupils.

17 staff and governors and 8 parents/carers attended the meetings.

There were 11 written replies to the consultation, of these 2 were from parent/carers of young people at the school, 2 were from parents of children with SEND attending other non-Wiltshire Special schools, 4 were from members of staff, 1 was from a governor and 2 were from head teachers from Wiltshire Primary schools. Of the 11 responses 7 were in favour, 1 comprised a number of queries and 3 proposed the need to look at the wider implications and were not in favour unless looked at in the wider context. Two of these last responses were from parents who do not currently have children in Wiltshire Specials Schools.

As per the DfE guidance this document and this resulting delegated decision are drawn from the information and discussions that were exchanged through the above process. Key areas of discussion and comment:

Written Feedback

In addition to the consultation responses and replies there were 2 emails with questions requesting clarification on details in the consultation documents and parents wanting to better understand how the changes would impact on their particular child’s education. These types of questions were shared with the school/commissioning team and individual responses were given.

The Local Authority’s response

In response, the local Authority would like to thank all those who participated in face to face or written consultation. These face to face sessions were engaging and helpful in looking at not only this immediate decision, but also the wider issues for special schools. Having considered all the responses and considerations raised, the Local Authority believes it is appropriate to expand the SEN designation for Rowdeford School to include SLD from the 1st of June 2018 for implementation at the start of the summer term 6. As encouraged by those involved in the consultation, the school will be supported to develop the necessary skills and expertise to meet the higher level needs of pupils with Severe Learning Disabilities and the school will write an implementation plan to adjust to the change. There will also be on-going work with mainstream schools to support more vulnerable young people with lower levels of MLD who might formerly have been considered for Rowdeford school.

The wider issues raised will be taken up through the Special Schools project and it was encouraging to have positive feedback from parent carers about the need to see this change in the light of these wider considerations.