Decision details

Through the Inclusion Rationalisation project, it has been identified that the current unit does not meet the ongoing and developing requirements of pupils. Furthermore, the current structure of the resource differs from that of the resource provided in secondary education. Therefore, the proposal has been put forward to close the unit in order to develop a new primary Hearing Impaired ARC. The outcomes and provision for each child in the HI ARC will be met in line with the resource provided in secondary education. Each child will have their appropriate needs met as outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plans and Plans will continue to be reviewed annually. The management of the specialist HI staff in the HI ARC will be overseen by the Manager of the HI Service at the Council in line with the secondary HI ARC provision.

1. Approval is given to consult on the proposal to close the Hearing Impaired ARC at Plover Primary School. Specifically, approval is given to the publication of the statutory proposal and the statutory period of consultation for ‘prescribed alterations’ take place in line with the Department for Education statutory guidance ‘Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools’ (October 2018).

2. That, subject to no objections being received during the statutory consultation period, the date on which the ARC should close be determined by the Head of Service (inclusion).

Option 1 -
To not close the unit and maintain its current structure. This would keep the unit out of alignment to other resources in the Borough.

Option 2 -
To transfer the running of the ARC to the school which would then be taken over by XP Trust following their proposed academisation. The Trust have stated that they have no desire to run the unit.