Decision details

Proposed decision

To permanently remove the specialist resourced provision for pupils with speech and language needs at River Primary School, following statutory consultation and representation.

Reason for the decision

The specialist resource provision (SRP) at River Primary School is designated to meet speech and language needs (S&LN). The number of pupils for whom the SRP at River Primary School has been deemed appropriate has fallen significantly. Currently there are only 4 pupils accessing the SRP and all will move on to secondary school within the next two years.

Background – Provide brief additional context

In order to meet the changing needs of pupils, SRPs now need to provide for pupils who may have wider communication needs in addition to purely speech and language. This may include Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Whilst the number of pupils supported by River’s SRP has fallen, the number supported by the SRP at Whitfield Aspen School has grown significantly (by over 100 places since 2015). This is because it has the existing resources and expertise to support pupils with multiple need types including SLCN and ASD.

Additionally, as there is no primary SRP provision in Deal and Walmer, we are looking to address this by supporting a proposal to create a 14 place primary SRP at The Downs CE Primary School in Walmer. This is expected to open in September 2026, supporting pupils with ASD and SLCN. The proposal to open this new provision in Walmer is part of Kent’s wider SEND strategy and is linked to Key Decision 25/00085.

An SRP in Deal/Walmer would reduce the distances that residents in Deal, Walmer, Sandwich and the surrounding villages have to travel to secure specialist provision. 

Kent’s Strategic Statement

The proposed decision supports KCC’s strategic statement as it is necessary for KCC to continue to deliver the statutory duty, in a cost-effective way.  It will help to maintain KCC’s strategic role in supporting schools in Kent to deliver accessible, high quality education provision for all families, particularly those with SEND.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

Option 1: to keep the SRP open for purely speech and language needs was not viable as insufficient pupils with this need are being identified to keep the provision viable.  The changing needs of pupils mean that SRPs now need to provide for pupils who may have wider communication needs in addition to purely speech and language.

Option 2: broadening the need type that the SRP can support, was considered and discarded as the accommodation and site constraints at River Primary School mean the premises do not lend themselves to supporting other need types.

Decision:

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

1. Issue a Public Notice to permanently remove the specialist resource provision for pupils with speech and language needs at River Primary school, and following a representation period of four weeks with no substantive objections received, then implement the decision;
2. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education to take all steps necessary to issue a Public Notice; and
3. Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to take relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into relevant contracts or other legal agreements as required, to implement the decision, subject to there being no new substantive objections received during the notice period.