Issue - meetings

This report informs the Executive of the outcome of the statutory proposals to alter the character of Alperton Community School (Foundation) and Vernon House School (Special).

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent change of character of Alperton Community School by adding a 20 place Additionally Resources Provision (ARP) for pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs for Moderate Learning Difficulties from September 2012;

(ii)        that approval be given to the permanent change of character of Vernon House School from a 30 place special school for pupils with BESD to a 35 place special school for pupils with ASC for those pupils capable of accessing the mainstream curriculum with specialist support) and Children with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD) from September 2012;

(iii)       that the main reasons for approving the change of character of Alperton Community School and Vernon House School are consistent with Brent’s long term strategy for SEN to secure better outcomes for children delivered in special school places more efficiently closer to home communities.

Councillor Arnold (Lead Member, Children and Families) introduced the report which informed the Executive of the outcome of the statutory proposals to add a 20 place Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) for pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs for Moderate Learning Difficulties from September 2012 at Alperton Community School (Foundation). The report also proposed to alter the character of Vernon House School (Special) from a 30 place special school for pupils with Behaviour, Emotional, Social Difficulties (BESD) to a 35 place special school for pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD) who were capable of accessing the mainstream curriculum with specialist support, from 1 September 2012.  Councillor Arnold referred to the change to a broader designation would allow the school to admit children with a broader range of associated needs.  Lack of provision had meant the children had to be placed out of borough and in the private sector. Councillor Arnold referred members to the financial implications, the Equalities Impact Assessments and the outcome of the consultations appended to the report.

Councillor Mitchell Murray, a governor at Vernon House School, welcomed the proposals.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent change of character of Alperton Community School by adding a 20 place Additionally Resources Provision (ARP) for pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs for Moderate Learning Difficulties from September 2012;

(ii)        that approval be given to the permanent change of character of Vernon House School from a 30 place special school for pupils with BESD to a 35 place special school for pupils with ASC for those pupils capable of accessing the mainstream curriculum with specialist support) and Children with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (CLDD) from September 2012;

(iii)       that the main reasons for approving the change of character of Alperton Community School and Vernon House School are consistent with Brent’s long term strategy for SEN to secure better outcomes for children delivered in special school places more efficiently closer to home communities.