Ealing Council has now surpassed its target for provision of school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
To mark the occasion, Ealing Council leader, Peter Mason and cabinet member for a fairer start, Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, went to see the new, state of the art provision at Fielding Primary School.
Fielding Primary School provides 27 new SEND places
The new Additional Resource Provision (ARP) facilities will provide 27 new primary school places for children from reception to year 6, who have speech, language and communication difficulties, including autism and associated learning difficulties.
This project is part of the council’s plan to deliver 70 places in this council term, between 2022 and 2026. A total of 50 new specialist places were created in 2022/23, which surpasses the council’s commitment to reach 40 new places for children with specialist needs in the year.
The provision at Fielding is run by specialist teacher, Alison Trott, who said: “The ARP will allow for classes of up to nine pupils, and the opportunity to learn alongside pupils in the main school. The pupils will gradually work towards being independent and spend more time in, and mix with the main school.
“The ARP is housed in a new, single-story building with three classrooms and extra support rooms, with outdoor play area and sensory garden on the site.”
Council surpasses target for 2022/23
Councillor Peter Mason said: “This fantastic project at Fielding is part of our commitment in the Council Plan to ensure that all Ealing children have access to the best schools in their local communities, regardless of their backgrounds and whether they have special educational needs or disabilities. As a council, we will continue to create schools that are greener and more modern and that set a standard of excellence for all London to follow.
“This is an important step forward for Ealing, as we surpass our target of 40 SEND spaces in the council plan, delivering 50 spaces, providing the vital support children need to achieve their potential and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.”
Ealing Council has ARP facilities for children with speech, language and communication difficulties including autism in seven primary schools (Coston, Drayton Green, Havelock, West Acton, Beaconsfield, Willow Tree, Selborne), four high schools (William Perkin, Twyford, Greenford, Elthorne), and is planning two more to meet secondary school needs in Northolt and Villiers.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal said: “The new building allows for children to receive specialist teaching, learning in small groups, remaining integral and visible members of an inclusive school community. This is in line with our commitment to a fairer start, making sure that our children’s needs are met and that our young people with special educational needs and disabilities are supported not only to survive at school, but to thrive.”
Support for children with special educational needs
More information about how the council supports children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families, can be found online at the Ealing Families Directory – ‘Local Offer’.
