The Isle of Wight council is proposing a significant expansion of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education provision across the Island.
The plans aim to address the increasing number of children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring that those requiring specialist provision can access appropriate support closer to home.
New school places from 2025
If approved by Cabinet on Thursday 24th April, the council will begin a public consultation from Friday 2nd May, running until Monday 9th June 2025.
The expanded provision would come into effect from September 2025 onwards, with the following changes proposed:
- Medina House School would expand from 138 to 168 places, including a new 30-place satellite site at the former Chillerton and Rookley Primary School in Chillerton.
- Hunnyhill Primary School’s resourced provision for Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) would increase from 8 to 12 places.
- Brading CE Primary School would expand from 8 to 12 places for children with Autism Spectrum (AS) and/or Complex Learning needs.
- The Bay CE Primary School (Secondary site) would increase its AS provision from 15 to 20 places.
Additional support for children with complex needs
Lionheart School (formerly known as Island Learning Centre) would see the largest expansion, doubling its capacity from 60 to 120 places.
This includes 60 places for children experiencing complex high anxiety mental health issues, without EHCPs, at a satellite site at Cowes Primary School. This expansion is subject to the closure of Cowes Primary School on 31st August 2025.
St George’s School would increase from 208 to 228 places, with 40 of those at a new satellite site in East Cowes.
A new 12-place resourced provision is also proposed at Brighstone CE Primary School, for children with Autism Spectrum and/or Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
Council statement on need for action
Ashley Whittaker, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said,
“The additional SEND places are essential for us to develop and improve our education offering across the Island.”
He added,
“Contrary to the declining birth rate, the Island has seen a significant growth in the need for additional special educational needs provision.
“Without adequate support, children with SEND may struggle to access the curriculum, leading to gaps in their learning and development. This can result in lower academic achievement and hinder their ability to develop essential life skills.”
Consultation and community involvement
If the Cabinet agrees to proceed, consultation notices will be published on Friday 2 May.
The consultation will be available online via the Island Education plans and policies webpage. All schools involved in the proposals will receive full details and take part in dedicated meetings to support community engagement.
