SEND places set to double at primary school

Warwickshire County Council is set to approve a £345,000 plan to buy and relocate a building to double the number of SEND places at an Atherstone primary school.

Outwoods Primary School in Atherstone would expand its capacity from eight to 16 SEND places if the plan is approved.

The newer building would include additional toilets, an accessible toilet and space for dedicated changing facilities.

The school currently operates the only resourced SEND provision in the area, but the existing modular classroom is more than 50 years old.

Two temporary classrooms are already on site to support a separate construction project and the council intends to buy the units and use them to replace the old structure.

The work would be scheduled for the summer holidays to avoid disruption, according to a report on the plan.

Strategy and commissioning manager, Emma Basden‑Smith, said a lower purchase price has been agreed with the supplier, taking into account the already‑paid hire costs.

The report also highlights wider pressures on SEND provision in North Warwickshire.

A higher proportion of children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in the district attend independent special schools, compared with the rest of the county.

Those placements cost, on average, £50,000 more per pupil each year than resourced provision.

It warns that if the current modular building had to close on health and safety grounds, pupils could be forced to travel to schools in Polesworth, Hartshill or Nuneaton, creating a shortfall in local provision.

Deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance and property, Councillor James Crocker, is expected to sign off the proposal at noon on Thursday, 11 June.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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