Decision details

Proposed decision: 

Issue a public notice to:

(i)            Establish a satellite provision for 16 primary aged pupils at Sunny Bank Primary School.

(ii)          Increase the designated number from 348 to 366

And, subject to no objections being received to the public notice:

(i)            Establish a satellite provision for 16 primary aged pupils at Sunny Bank Primary School.

(ii)          Increase the designated number from 348 to 366

Reason for the decision

Meadowfield Special School is unable to expand any further on its main school site and demand for PSCN Special school places in Swale district is increasing. The establishment of satellite provisions on mainstream education sites provides additional capacity whilst also enabling the school’s expertise to be shared with the host school and provide Meadowfield students the opportunity to integrate, (where appropriate) with their mainstream peers.

Background

Meadowfield (Foundation) Special School is a day provision for boys and girls aged 3 to 19 with Profound, Severe and Complex Needs (PSCN) including Autism. In addition to the main building at Swanstree Avenue Sittingbourne, the school also operates a 6th form provision at Ufton Lane Sittingbourne. The new satellite at Sunny Bank Primary School will provide additional opportunities and choice for integration for Meadowfield pupils.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Meadowfield is unable to expand further on its current main site. Sunny Bank Primary School was identified as a possible site for a satellite due to its proximity to Meadowfield, the support of the academy trust for the proposal and having accommodation which could easily be reconfigured in order to open a satellite within the timescales.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

This proposal will help to secure our ambition “to ensure that Kent’s young people have access to the education, work and skills opportunities necessary to support Kent business to grow and be increasingly competitive in the national and international economy”

The proposal also supports KCC’s SEND Strategy 2021-2024. The aim of the SEND strategy is to improve the educational, health and emotional wellbeing outcomes for all of Kent's children and young people with special educational needs and those who are disabled.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to:

Issue a public notice to:

(i)       Establish a satellite provision for 16 primary aged pupils at Sunny Bank Primary School.

(iii)      Increase the designated number from 348 to 366

And, subject to no objections being received to the public notice:

(i)       Establish a satellite provision for 16 primary aged pupils at Sunny Bank Primary School.

(iii)      Increase the designated number from 348 to 366