As more children need help learning, more specialist education places are being proposed for an Isle of Wight school.
Medina House, in Newport, is currently oversubscribed, with 95 students on the role and capacity for 83.
Fifth-highest EHC plans in country
The Island has the fifth-highest number of pupils with education, health and care (EHC) plans across England – more than 1,400.
The Isle of Wight council wants to increase the capacity for four to 11-year-olds, after a review found more primary school children with special educational needs required a specialist school place.
Expanding Medina House
In a £30,000 plan, it wants to expand Medina House to take 104 pupils with complex learning difficulties, including Autism, physical disabilities, behavioural difficulties and hearing and visual impairments.
The funding would come from the education budget already set aside for special needs.
EHC plans could rise by 1,560 in four years
If approved, the extra places would be available for children to start in September at Medina House’s current sites.
The council has said in the next four years, the number of children on EHC plans could rise to nearly 1,560.
Drop-in session
A drop-in session has been arranged for parents and carers to find out about the proposal and ask questions.
It is being held on Thursday, 27th April, between 1pm and 2.30pm, at the Help Hut, Medina House School on Green Street, Newport.
Don’t miss the deadline
Comments can be submitted until 19th May, via letter to Jade Kennett, Strategic Development, County Hall, Newport, IOW, PO30 1UD, or email to [email protected]
The council said it is committed to improving inclusive provision and aims to meet the needs of all children and young people.
Specialist facilities and resources
It says where possible, it tries to help children in their local schools to integrate them, but for all students that may not be possible.
Some young people have such significant and complex needs that they require specialist facilities and resources, it said, and that demand is growing.
Find out more information about the proposal on the Website.
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
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