Statutory Notices to expand and change the designation of the SEN Unit at Ashford Park Primary from a designation of MLD to a designation of ASD

Overview

The SEN Unit at Ashford Park Primary has a designation of MLD [1]. In July 2018 a decision was made at the Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning meeting to expand the SEN Unit from 16 to 25 places. Due to the low numbers of pupils in Year R to Year 2 requiring a MLD designated specialist school place and the increased demand for specialist school places for autistic pupils and those with communication needs the local authority agreed with the school for the infant year groups to be available for autistic pupils and those with communication and interaction needs. Current capacity constraints mean that the physical space required for a 25 place SEN Unit has not increased and therefore the existing provision can only accommodate a maximum of 21 planned places.

This consultation is a proposal to secure places for autistic pupils and those with communication and interaction needs by changing the designation of the SEN Unit from MLD to ASD. The SEN Unit will expand from 21 planned places to 25 planned places. A feasibility study has informed the development approach required to repurpose, remodel and expand the SEN Unit at Ashford Park Primary School to ensure long-term sustainability.

The informal consultation was open from 27 September 2022 to 6 November 2022 and a public meeting was held on 13 October 2022.  An analysis of the responses to the informal consulatation can be found in the documents below.

[1] Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the term used by the Department for Education (DfE) as the school designation that meets the needs of autistic pupils and those with communication and interaction needs. Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) is the DfE school designation, known locally in Surrey as Learning and Additional Needs (LAN).

Why your views matter

We are now publishing Statutory Notices on the proposed expansion and change of designation at Ashford Park Primary School.The Related Documents below contain the detailed proposal.

Please let us know what you think about the proposals

- either by completing the Online Survey

- or by using the response form in the Related Documents below.

The deadline for submitting your response to the Consultation is

12th December 2022