THERE are now more places for Reading primary school-aged children who have special educational needs (SEND).
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) says it has worked with Reading Borough Council (RBC) on the schemes which will create 18 additional places at two schools.
And more projects are being planned to meet the increasing demand for SEND places in the area.
This includes the construction of a new special free school, and extra places for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools.
New provision for children with social and communication difficulties (SCD) and autistic spectrum conditions formally opened in Southcote Primary School in September. It will be expanded to cater for 12 pupils by September next year.
The resource will promote the inclusion of pupils with SEND and provide support, advice and training to parents of children with SCD and to school staff.
A satellite class of The Avenue School has also been created at The Ridgeway Primary School where six children started in September.
Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “These two projects are great examples of BFfC, the Council and schools working together to meet the needs of children with SEND.
“The Ofsted/CQC Reading local area SEND inspection in the summer noted that local leaders recognise areas which are of most concern to parents, such as the availability of specialist school places, and that plans are under way to address these issues.
“The resources at Southcote and The Ridgeway are part of an ongoing programme to create more SEND school places for Reading pupils and there are other exciting projects under way and in the pipeline.”
The move was also welcomed by Cllr Ashley Pearce, lead councillor for education at Reading Borough Council.
“There is an identified gap in provision for children with social and communication difficulty in west Reading so the additional places at Southcote Primary are very welcome,” he said.
“The new satellite class at The Ridgeway will also provide much needed places while work takes place to expand The Avenue School.”
He felt that the expansion would make a big difference for families.
Plans are under way to convert and refurbish former office space to create places for an additional 60 pupils at The Avenue School in Tilehurst.
Building work is also progressing well on creating a new home for Hamilton School, previously known as Phoenix College.
The SEMH school will cater for up to 64 students aged between 11 and 18.
BFfC and RBC are currently working with Wokingham Borough Council, the DfE and Maiden Erlegh Trust on the creation of Oak Tree School in Winnersh which will provide 75 places for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and/or an Autism Spectrum Condition. However, work has been delayed by the Department for Education and no revised opening date can be announced.
