Agenda item

The Cabinet report sets out an analysis of the representations (responses) received from interested parties during the four-week statutory consultation, which began on 13 January and closed on 10 February 2022, on proposals for Atkinson House Special School, Seghill. Cabinet is asked to make a final decision on whether or not to approve the prescribed changes as set out in the Statutory Proposal for implementation with effect from 1 September 2022. The report is before this Committee for pre-scrutiny and the outcome and comments will be reported to Cabinet when they consider the report on 8 March 2022.

The Cabinet report, which was being pre-scrutinised by this Committee set out an analysis of the representations received from interested parties during the four-week statutory consultation on proposals for Atkinson House Special School.  A comprehensive introduction to the report and a power point presentation was provided by S Aviston, Head of School Organisation and Resources, who advised that within statutory guidance Cabinet should give greatest weight to responses from those stakeholders likely to be most affected by the proposals.   Paul Samson, Headteacher at Atkinson House and David Harrison, Chair of Governors at Atkinson House were in attendance.    Mr Hodgson advised that he had spoken to the Roman Catholic Diocese who had expressed their support and this would be reported to Cabinet when they made their decision.

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the following information was provided:-

·       Whilst there would be capacity for the number of pupils to be increased, the Headteacher advised that many of the pupils attending the school, all of whom had an EHCP and had SEMH needs, found it difficult being in larger classes.  The school currently allowed for smaller groups to be taught together and should the numbers of pupils attending the school increase then a review of the nature and the type of students attending the school would be required.

·       There would be a name change for the new facility, however this would be the subject of discussions with the Headteacher and Governing Body.  It was important that every child was given the opportunity to develop within the new facility and services such as Educational Phycologists and speech and language specialists would be co-located on site to assist with this.

·       The proposed Gilbert Ward Academy was a fixed size and footprint and would not be expanded to meet any increased demand, instead alternative and improved provision would be looked at to meet the needs of children closer to their home areas and three new build opportunities were being considered. It was expected that the Planning Application would be submitted in approximately 4 weeks for the Gilbert Ward Academy, however Members were asked to note that this was to be delivered by the DfE and not the team at NCC.

·       The refurbishment of the existing Richard Coates site offered a significant level of space to that which would be provided if it was a new build under the DfE formula and the existing building had been well looked after.   Mr Samson advised he had visited new build schools and whilst they were well built, they were quite clinical.  It was thought the Richard Coates site would better meet the needs of the children, many of whom found change difficult, with the school being zoned in order to  help support individual needs.  He understood the safeguarding concerns and welcomed the partnership work with both the Primary School and the Pele Trust. 

·       The new facility would be covered by CCTV both external and internal and fencing will be kept inside the hedge line.

·       It had long been an ambition of Atkinson House to be co-educational, however the existing building did not allow for this and it would be the role of the leadership team to deliver the vision and create an environment which allowed each child to have the best opportunity.

Members welcomed the proposals and felt that Officers had addressed the concerns of residents in relation to highways and safety raised during the informal and formal consultation very well.  

RESOLVED that Cabinet be advised that this Committee unanimously supported the recommendations in the report.