A multimillion pound cash injection could boost special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provisions on the Isle of Wight.
The building of a new, SEND free school on the Island, announced earlier in the week, is expected to form part of a £25 million government package.
It will be built next to Carisbrooke College and would teach 75 pupils with autism or social and emotional mental health issues.
Pope: Quietly optimistic the rest of the funding would follow
Speaking at the authority’s education scrutiny committee, Brian Pope, the Isle of Wight council’s assistant education director, said following the school announcement, he was quietly optimistic the rest of the funding would follow.
The money is part of the council’s SEND strategy and forms part of a council bid to government to help reduce the deficit currently caused by school funding.
New independence hub for pupils preparing for adulthood
If successful, money will go towards a new independence hub for pupils preparing for adulthood, adding capacity and support in schools and a new primary school behaviour service which could hopefully lead to fewer exclusions.
Proposals had been brought forward, Mr Pope revealed, to improve early intervention, create more special needs places in schools and improve outcomes for SEND pupils which would be worth £25 million.
Investment will support mainstream schools
In line with a government strategy, he said, the investment will support mainstream schools to ensure it is a place where SEND pupils can thrive and look at how they can upskill teachers and learning support assistants.
It would also reduce the number of expensive school places in the independent sector which cost the authority tens of thousands of pounds a year, Mr Pope said.
Proposals include:
- SEN support toolkits
- SEN coordinator networks and support lines
- Educational psychology
- Reducing exclusions and suspension
- Strengthening supported internships and apprenticeships
- Supporting the employability hub
Crocker: A step in the right direction
Steve Crocker, the director of children’s services told the committee it is a step in the right direction but not the full journey, as they waited the publication of government strategies which could make the education system more inclusive.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: anthony kelly under CC BY 2.0
