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SEND Provision Proposal
As you know, our work at Northbrook and across Endeavour Learning Trust is grounded in our commitment to ensure that every child in our community benefits from the same opportunities to thrive and flourish. We are proud to be a school where every child gets the support they need to play a full part in our school community and to make the progress of which they are capable.
As a result of this commitment, we are now proposing to expand our provision to create additional opportunities for children with communication and interaction needs in our community to access provision in a dedicated SEND provision (which is formally referred to as a SEN Unit). SEN units are special provisions within a mainstream school where the children are predominantly taught within separate classes.
Our plan is to work collaboratively with Wellfield Academy, our partner school within Endeavour Learning Trust, who are proposing to develop a very similar provision so that this offer is available within our community from year three through to year eleven.
In developing this provision, we are working together with colleagues at Endeavour Learning Trust, including benefitting from the support of the Trust’s Director of SEND to ensure that this development supports us in providing the highest quality education to children accessing the SEND provision, as well as to children continuing to access our existing mainstream provision.
Consultation
Northbrook Primary Academy will be making an application to the Department for Education to open a SEND provision for up to sixteen pupils in key stage two with communication and interaction needs. This proposal is subject to formal consultation with all stakeholders, and the outcomes of the consultation will be considered by Endeavour Learning Trust and the Department for Education before any final decisions are made.
As set out, the key elements of our proposal are to:
• Open a new SEND Provision for up to sixteen pupils across key stage two with communication and interaction needs.
Stakeholders who would like to respond to the consultation are invited to submit their response to enquiries@endeavourlearning.org by 5.00pm on Friday 13th December 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Why does Northbrook Primary Academy and Endeavour Learning Trust want to open a SEND Provision?
Northbrook Primary Academy is a community school that strives to meet the needs of all children and families within its community. Working in partnership with Endeavour Learning Trust, we are committed to ensuring that every child within our community has access to the provision they need to thrive. All special schools across Lancashire are currently over-subscribed which limits the opportunities for children in our community to access the provision that they deserve. We see it as our responsibility to work in partnership with Lancashire County Council to contribute to resolving this issue.
Working together with Wellfield Academy (who are also part of Endeavour Learning Trust), we have the opportunity to develop a unique provision across our schools that ensures that this offer is available within our community from year three through to year eleven.
The development of the SEND Provision will enable the school to invest in very high levels of expertise in supporting children with additional needs. This expertise will be shared for the benefit of the full school community and support Northbrook’s continued development, ensuring that all children in our school benefit from the very best education possible.
2) Will the school be financially disadvantaged because of the resources required to provide high-quality support to children within the SEND Provision?
No. The school will receive additional funding from Lancashire County Council to provide the appropriate support for children within the SEND Provision.
3) Will there be any impact on the building if the school proceeds to open a SEND Provision?
The proposal is designed to make more effective use of space within the school building which is not currently fully utilised by pupils.
As part of the proposal, we will also be developing existing space within the school to provide a more inclusive environment, providing more opportunities for children to access additional support in a sensory space where this is beneficial to their needs.
4) Will opening a SEND Provision change the admissions arrangements into the main school, or reduce the capacity of the main school?
No. The school will continue to offer the same number of places from Reception to Year 6 as currently, with 30 places offered in each Reception cohort. Children accessing the SEND Provision will be taught within separate classes, with additional support to engage with the full school community during social times.
Please feel free to contact us in school on 01772 421599 or by email to enquiries@northbrookpa.org if you have any questions about our proposal. We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting development with you soon.
