Consultation on a proposed implementation of a SEND Integrated Resource Unit at Village Primary Academy

Background  

Village Primary Academy is proposing to make an application to the Department for Education to make a change in the provision that the academy currently provides. The change is to implement a SEND Integrated Resource Unit from September 2024, this unit would provide places within the academy that will be fully funded by the Local Authority for SEND support within a mainstream school setting.  

Village Primary Academy currently has a pupil admission number of 90 children per year group. Under the proposals, this will remain unchanged and the places will be designated to the provision of SEND pupils with Educational Health Care Plans, these places will be for existing pupils.  The proposed change would be to offer additional SEND places in a mainstream school, which is known as additional resource provision.  

Specific Proposal  

Village Primary Academy is proposing that that there are an additional 26 places in addition to the existing PAN of 90 which will specifically for the Additional Resource Provision from September 2024.  As the Local Authority determine the EHC admissions this will have no impact the existing PAN and admissions arrangements. The 26 additional places created will be designated to the provision of SEND pupils with Educational Health Care Plans, these places will be for existing pupils. 

Village Primary Academy provides support to our current SEND pupils using existing funding through the academy Inclusion Hub.  The benefits of securing the funding and implementing the proposed change is that the academy will receive full funding for the places available to support the development of the service provided, creating further strong links between families, the community, and the school and improved continuity of SEND educational provision resulting in better outcomes for the children. 

The Local Authority support Village Primary Academy, they provide funding to meet the need in the local community, alongside supporting our future pupils and their families to access SEND provision in a mainstream school setting for 26 places.   

Factors that have been considered by the Academy in deciding to consult on this proposal include:  

• The continued ability of the school to provide specific support to SEND pupils 

• The provision of the most appropriate learning environment for all pupils thus facilitating continuing school improvement and allow them to deliver high quality educational outcomes for the pupils 

• Future resource planning and management including financial impact on staffing 

Requirements for notification and publication 

The proposed change requires a full business case to be submitted by The Harmony Trust to the Department for Education and is considered a significant change.  In line with the ‘Making a significant change to an open academy’ guidance, published by the Department for Education, we are required to carry out a consultation on the proposal for a minimum of 3 weeks.  

Who is being consulted?  

During this statutory consultation we want to consult with as many stakeholders as possible including:  

• The Local Authority 

• Parents of children who attend Village Primary Academy 

• Parents in the area 

• Primary and special schools in the area 

• Anyone else who has an interest in the proposed changes 

Timetable for the Consultation Period  

2nd July 2024 - Consultation period begins 

23rd July 2024 5pm - Consultation period ends  

24th July 2024 – The Harmony Trust consider all responses  

When would the changes come into effect? 

If approved, the arrangements would be introduced for September 2024. 

How to respond  

This consultation will run until 5pm on Tuesday 23rd July 2024. You are invited to submit queries or comments using the following methods:   

• In writing to Ms J Hainsworth, Director of Education, The Harmony Trust Ltd, Village Primary Academy, 155 Village Street, Derby, DE23 8DF 

• or by email to info@theharmonytrust.org  

Please mark the subject “Village Primary SEND Integrated Resource Unit Consultation”. Following the consultation period, the Trust will consider all comments received and include these in the application to be submitted to the Department for Education for the significant change application.