Special educational needs shake-up approved

North Tyneside Council says the plan will help meet youngsters' changing requirements

A shake-up of special educational needs (SEN) provision in a borough's schools has been agreed by councillors.

The plans on North Tyneside include expanding the age range of a special school and the closure of a unit for children with moderate learning difficulties.

North Tyneside Council said the reorganisation would "better reflect" pupils' changing needs.

However, concerns have been voiced that some youngsters could "fall through gaps".

An Additional Resourced Provision (ARP) at Whitley Lodge First School, in Whitley Bay, which had capacity to support five youngsters with moderate learning difficulties will be decommissioned.

Labour councillor Steve Phillips, the cabinet member for education, said the decision to shut the ARP had been made by the school last year and that alternative options had been deemed not financially viable.

A public consultation revealed 61% of participants disagreed with the closure.

One person warned: "My concern is that children with moderate learning difficulties will have fewer local options and may be forced to travel further or fall through gaps.

"Closing existing support units without proving that stronger, more effective alternatives are already in place risks leaving more families in the same situation.

"Provision should be increased and improved, not removed."

The council said the school was "working closely" with the families of two children in the ARP and was committed to the pupils remaining in their care, with the necessary support, for as long as parents or carers choose or until the end of Year 4.

It added that the closure of the ARP and funding secured to pay for the opening of a new outdoor space had enabled the school to provide an improved special educational needs and disabilities offer "for all children".

The council's plans also include the opening of two SEN units in primary schools, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A 12-place language and communication unit will open at Waterville Primary School and a 12-place ARP focused on social, emotional and mental health needs will be located at Percy Main Primary School.

Around 90% of the 254 survey responses received by the council were supportive of the new units opening.

The council's cabinet decision also approved the expansion of the age range of pupils able to attend Silverdale School - an over-subscribed special school in Howdon - from seven to 16 to four to 16.