The Director of Children’s Services reported upon the outcome of investigations and consultations into ways in which special school provision, primary and secondary, for pupils with complex learning difficulties on Wirral might be improved. He set out current provision and reported that during the course of the consultation process, Wirral was advised of its allocation of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) monies. Those, combined with funds available from the Learning and Skills Council, would enable the build of new 21st century schools, which were genuinely fit for the future and would provide up to date facilities for some of the most vulnerable pupils.

He commented that co-location of the schools on mainstream sites would facilitate greater inclusion both within education and within the wider community and would also provide a learning pathway from childhood to adulthood by raising aspirations, expectations and opportunities whilst still providing a protective environment where necessary. He reported that the consultation process had been lengthy and extensive and had sought views on a number of proposals generated from earlier discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, governors, teachers and other staff, health, social care, unions, transport etc. The Director outlined the response to the consultation process and provided an analysis of the Public Meeting Records and Individual Responses. He reported also upon the outcome of a workshop that had been organised with the CLD Consultation Group in order to seek a way forward, which would find a broad agreement amongst stakeholders. He put forward for consideration a number of proposals which met the criteria of the SEN Improvement Test and outlined the steps that would be necessary if the recommendations contained within his report were approved.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning supported Special Schools being at the heart of the BSF process and upon the need to take advantage of co-location with mainstream schools. However, he recognised the concerns which had been raised by a group of parents at Meadowside School regarding the appropriateness of a potential site identified for the co-location of the 16-19 provision. He indicated that specific sites had not yet been agreed and offered to meet with those parents to assure them that no decisions would be made, which compromised the health and safety of the pupils concerned.

Resolved –

(1) That approval is given in principal to the replacement of Stanley and Elleray Park schools by the development of two new build, primary (2-11) CLD schools, each co-located with a mainstream primary school and each providing for approximately 100 children and catering for the full range of need found within the CLD population and,

to continue investigations and consultations regarding the development of a 2-19 CLD provision specifically for children who experience profound and multiple learning difficulties and who, by reasons of medical/physical difficulties, may be considered particularly vulnerable. Under this proposal The Lyndale School will continue as presently until these investigations and consultations are completed and further reports to Cabinet are considered.

(2)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 467