What SEND resource bases are, why we plan to open them, responses to our consultation, the decisions.
What the plans are
Bristol City Council plans to open 3 Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) resource bases in Bristol.
We'll work with the schools to make sure all admissions are handled effectively and efficiently.
These plans are not expected to have any limiting impact on other local provision, including local schools. They will contribute towards parental choice.
Why we're opening the resource bases
We've developed the plans in response to the need for SEND provision for children and young people in Bristol.
Bristol City Council has a statutory duty to make sure that:
- there are enough school places for pupils with SEND (Children and Families Act 2014)
- school places for children with SEND provide high quality support and value for money
We believe the provision will:
- provide additional capacity to manage demand for SEN school places in Bristol where demand is high
- support improved educational outcomes for children with SEN
About the resource bases
In accordance with Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) and the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, Bristol City Council is proposing changes to:
- Broomhill Infant School, to open a 24-place resource base for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and register it with the Department for Education (DfE)
- Broomhill Junior School, to open a 16-place resource base for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and register it with the Department for Education (DfE)
- Sefton Park Infant and Junior School, to open a 12-place resource base for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and register it with the Department for Education (DfE)
The SEN designation of the provisions will be inclusive of children with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) to support the needs of children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The resource bases will receive children with SEN from the local area, not limited to the school's mainstream catchment.
We hope to open:
- Broomhill Infant School and Sefton Park Infant and Junior School resource bases in January 2024
- Broomhill Junior School resource base in September 2024
The resource bases will increase capacity in Bristol by 52 places, with the expectation that the provisions will increase the number of places available as appropriate.
The Published Admissions Number of the schools will stay the same. The plans will not affect them.
The consultation
The proposals were published for 4 weeks from 9 October 2023 until 6 November 2023 on:
- the Broomhill Infant School website
- the Broomhill Junior School website
- the Sefton Park Infant and Junior School website
- this webpage
A copy of the proposals were sent to the governors and headteachers of each school. Parents and carers could get copies of the proposals:
- from the schools
- by contacting Bristol City Council
- on the schools' websites
- on this webpage
The proposals were also published in a local newspaper.
Each school sent regular updates to the parents and carers of all registered pupils, by post or online.
We collected comments on an online survey, by email and by post.
Responses
Broomhill Infant School
9 respondents completed the survey and were from a range of backgrounds. Of those:
- 57.14% of respondents strongly agreed with the proposal for a SEND resource base at Broomhill Infant School
- 14.29% agreed with the proposal
- 14.29% disagreed with the proposal
- 14.29% strongly disagreed with the proposal
Respondents:
- mentioned the high demand for specialist provision in the area
- said that more SEND provision is positive for the city
- raised concerns about the resource base being located on a different site and asked how this would be managed
We understand these concerns but have confidence in the school's ability to deliver high quality provision at a nearby site.
Broomhill Junior School
3 respondents completed the survey and were from a range of backgrounds. Of those:
- 66.67% of respondents strongly agreed with the proposal for a SEND resource base at Broomhill Junior School
- 33.33% strongly disagreed with the proposal
Respondents mentioned the need for more specialist provision in Bristol. The respondent who strongly disagreed did not leave a comment.
Sefton Park Infant and Junior School
5 respondents completed the survey and were from a range of backgrounds. Of those:
- 80% of respondents strongly agreed with the proposal for a SEND resource base at Sefton Park Infant and Junior School
- 20% strongly disagreed with the proposal
Respondents:
- believed the resource base would enrich the lives of the children attending the school
- mentioned personal experiences of their children needing such support
The respondent who strongly disagreed did not leave a comment.
Decisions
These proposals do not require cabinet approval, which means approval is delegated to officer level and was taken by the director of Education and Skills in consultation with the Executive Member for Children and Education. To comply with statutory guidance, a decision must be made within a period of two months of the end of the representation period.
