Decision details

I received a report dated 26th October signed by the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of St Dunstan CE Primary School.  The report sets out the background to and results of a consultation undertaken by the school relating to a proposal to change the SEN resource base at the school from complex learning needs to communication and interaction (autism). 

The report recommends that the Council should not publish statutory proposals to make the proposed change.

Having considered the content of the report and a subsequent meeting with the Chair of Governors and the Headteacher , I agree with the school’s recommendation for the following reasons:

St Dunstan School is committed to being inclusive in its approach and raising standards of attainment for all pupils within the community it serves.  In May 2011 the school was judged good by Ofsted and currently the priority for the governors is to ensure that the progress already made can be sustained in the longer tem.  The governors, having gone through the process of consultation, considered very carefully the number of responses and issues raised during the process such as increasing stress level for members of staff who feel that they are already responding to a number of significant pressures.  The governors therefore do not feel that at this moment in time St Dunstan School is in a strong position to go through a period of additional changes. Cllr Lionel Grundy had an opportunity to discuss these issues in detail directly with the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors.

Not applicable

Other Council members including the local member for Calne have been consulted regarding this decision in accordance with Protocol 5 of Wiltshire Council’s Constitution.