Strategic priorities and proposals 2021-22

Strategic priorities

In Trafford children with additional needs benefit from excellent mainstream and special school provision. We are aware however that we have very limited capacity to meet increasing demand for places in both primary and secondary settings in the future.

To increase capacity we have outlined our strategic priorities and also some specific proposals that will meet the increasing demands for places. We are committed to supporting our schools and settings within the borough as we believe that local provision offers the best outcomes for our children and young people.

The priorities were informed by our SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, the SEND Action Plan 2019-22 and the knowledge that all places in special schools and small specialist classes are full for September 2021.

Priority 1

Small specialist class in mainstream primary to support complex learning needs in key stages 1 and 2.

Priority 2

Primary special school provision to support social emotional mental health, autism spectrum and social communication needs in key stages 1 and 2.

Priority 3

Small specialist class in mainstream secondary to support autism spectrum and social communication needs in key stages 3 and 4.

In 2021, we completed a review of the secondary small specialist class provision based at Lostock High School. This provision has been extremely successful in meeting the needs of students with autism spectrum and social communication needs and has expanded from initially having 10 students placed on site in 2018 to 22 by September 2021. This small specialist class offers young people with autism spectrum / social communication needs the flexibility of accessing a mainstream curriculum whilst providing them with additional support to overcome the environmental challenges a secondary school context can present.

The review detailed high quality teaching and learning experiences, found that children are well supported and outcomes are good. 

We do however recognise this provision can only meet the needs of a small number of children, it is situated in the north of the borough and is now full. To make sure we have sufficient places moving forward we are inviting expressions of interest from another secondary school in the borough to replicate this model.

We are also aware that all small specialist class places at primary schools in our area are currently at full capacity. Following a review in 2018 we understand how vital these classes are to supporting children with additional needs.

Specific proposals

We have identified a number of proposed schemes linked to our priorities. Some are at specific schools and some are inviting expressions of interest from Trafford schools:

Type

School

Scheme

Additional small specialist class 

Firs Primary School

(primary mainstream)

Additional small specialist class required for 10 children across key stages 1 and 2 for pupils with a range of complex needs.

Planned opening in September 2022. 

Additional class

Longford Park School

(primary SEMH special school)

Additional capacity for 6 to 8 places to meet the needs of primary age children who present with social emotional mental health needs, autism spectrum and social communication needs, behaviour that challenges.

Additional class

Pictor Academy

(primary special school)

Individualised learning space for children who require low stimulating environment and high adult support throughout the school day.

Class Re-configuration

Delamere School

(primary special school) 

Reconfiguration of nursery and early years classrooms to ensure a fit for purpose learning environment for additional pupils.

Additional small specialist class

Expressions of interest invited from Trafford

mainstream secondary schools 

New small specialist class to meet autism spectrum and social communication needs in a mainstream secondary school for between 10 to 15 pupils. With additional support from Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Healthy Young Minds.

Planned opening in September 2022

Additional small specialist class

Expressions of interest invited from Trafford

mainstream primary schools 

New small specialist class required for 10 pupils across key stages 1 and 2 for pupils with a range of complex needs.

Planned opening in September 2022

Bidding round

Discussions with leaders in special and mainstream schools have also highlighted a small number of condition issues and improvements needed to support the needs of an ever increasing school population.

With that in mind we are also welcoming smaller bids to improve outdoor areas and internal learning spaces so that children and young people’s needs can be best met in an environment that is conducive to supporting positive personal, social, emotional, physical and academic outcomes.

Type

Provider

Scheme

Improvements

Bids are invited to improve and develop outdoor space and capacity to meet need 

We will consider smaller bids from schools and settings to develop outdoor learning areas, sensory areas, communal learning spaces, making learning areas more accessible. 

Schools or settings who wish to submit a bid should complete our High Needs Capital Bid Form and return with any supporting evidence by email to schoolprojects@trafford.gov.uk