Council publishes SEND improvement plan
A council has published a draft plan on how it will improve its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service after it was found to have "widespread and systemic failings" by Ofsted.
Bracknell Forest Council and Frimley Integrated Care Board were subject to a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in February.
A report found "too many" children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities did "not have their needs swiftly identified and met", with many missing "a substantial amount of their schooling" as a result.
Cabinet member for children's services Roy Bailey apologised "unreservedly" on the council's behalf.
While the inspection found examples of effective services, Ofsted and the CQC outlined three areas for priority action and seven areas for improvement.
Bracknell Forest Council is submitting a priority action plan to the Department for Education, the draft of which includes creating a new SEND strategic improvement and assurance board which will meet monthly, and summarising how many children have SEND in the borough as well as forecasting future trends.
The plan also says the council will conduct a "thorough" review of current SEND data, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
In April, Mr Bailey said: "We want the best possible start to life for all our children and young people and so we know we must continue with our improvement plans so they get the right, education, health and care support.
"We are absolutely determined in our commitment to improve."
Bracknell MP Peter Swallow said the report "has put in black and white what parents have been saying for too long".
The Labour MP said: "Steps in the right direction have been made, but change must be deep and lasting - and this report gives all partners a pathway to success."
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Borough's SEND service has 'widespread failings'
Bracknell Forest Council
Frimley Integrated Care Board
Ofsted
Care Quality Commission
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
School earns top ratings in Ofsted report
Le Murier School has received an Excellent rating for personal development and welfare and Sixth-form provision in its latest Ofsted report. The special education school also secured a Good rating across all other categories. The report said pupils were "at the centre of every decision made at Le Murier" and "their additional learning needs are well met". The school's staff were recognised for fostering a welcoming and safe environment, where pupils "are safe, happy and excited to attend school", said the report. Le Murier School opened in September 2008 for pupils of secondary school age with special education needs. The report said staff provided a "highly targeted and expert personal development provision to enable pupils to thrive in school". "Pupils and their parents and carers describe it as a welcoming and friendly place," it added. The report also commended careers and outdoor education initiatives designed to build confidence and independence. Sixth Form students were particularly praised for their enthusiasm towards future aspirations, with post-16 destinations carefully tailored to individual needs. The curriculum was described as ambitious, raising staff expectations and leading to increased academic success, with many pupils earning recognised qualifications in 2024. "To be recognised as Excellent in both our personal development and Sixth Form provision is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the incredible efforts of our students, and the investment of our parents and carers," said headteacher Lee Collier. "This report reflects our school community, where we work together to help every child become the very best they can be." Director of education Nick Hynes said it was a "fantastic achievement for Lee, her team, and the entire Le Murier community". "The inspection highlights the positive, inclusive, and ambitious environment the staff have created," he said. "We're proud of the school's ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement." More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Concern for special needs pupils amidst reform Volunteers needed to help school 'climb Everest' Princess Anne visits two schools Le Murier School
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Outstanding secondary school in deprived area which is among Birmingham's best
A secondary school located in one of Birmingham's most deprived areas has been named as one of the city's best following a glowing Ofsted inspection. The E-ACT Heartlands Academy has been rated outstanding in all four key areas assessed by inspectors in a rare achievement - especially for an inner-city high school. The academy is based in Nechells, one of the more deprived areas of the city - and that naturally brings more challenges for teachers. READ MORE: Latest Midlands Ofsted ratings as three top schools 'outstanding' in all areas Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox But Heartlands has more than risen to those challenges. In fact, the school has continually defied the odds, having been ranked among the best for years now. Crucially, Ofsted says "disadvantaged pupils achieve as highly as their peers". It may have been an anxious time for leaders eager to maintain that reputation as Ofsted returned for a new full inspection in March, the first in over a decade during which time things could have changed. But they needn't have worried. The results have now been published and the school was once again graded as outstanding across the board - achieving a perfect score. Ofsted's grading system has changed since their last visit to the Great Francis Street school. Rather than a single one-word overall grade, the watchdog now rates secondaries in the following four areas: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management. The school, which has over 800 pupils, was graded outstanding in all of these areas. Ofsted said in its report: "Pupils enjoy school. They know that when they walk through the school gates they are safe and surrounded by people who want them to succeed and be happy. "Pupils understand the school's expectations of their behaviour and meet these, as they want to play their part in the school's harmonious culture. They show respect, and often kindness, in their interactions with peers and staff." The report continued: "The school has a clear commitment to academic excellence and equips pupils with the knowledge and skills they need for future success. "This is realised through its ambitious curriculum, which is accessed successfully by all pupils. Pupils achieve strong outcomes. "For example, impressively high numbers of pupils secure the English and mathematics qualifications they need for their future learning. Disadvantaged pupils achieve as highly as their peers."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Views sought on specialist school expansion plan
People are being asked for their views on the expansion of a Wolverhampton special school for children with complex and profound learning difficulties. The capacity of Green Park School, on Green Park Avenue in Bilston, could increase by 27 places to a total of 174 from September 2027, under council plans. It follows multi-million pound proposals, backed by City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet last summer, to increase places in both state and specialist settings. The council said the extra provision could meet a rising demand for provision for children with special educational needs (SEND). The school's pupils are aged between three and 19 and taught in classes of up to nine, according to its SEND information report. All are either under assessment or have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The council said it was working closely with the provider on proposals and welcomed public feedback. Councillor Jacqui Coogan said there had been a "marked increase" in the number of children with EHCPs requiring suitable provision. She added the council's expansion programme, which includes plans to increase specialist places at Westcroft School, Ormiston New Academy and Palmers Cross Primary, would enable more students to reach their potential. The consultation over Green Park School will run until 6 July. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Schools' expansion will help meet demand - council Teacher 'honoured' to receive national award Council praised for improvements in SEND provision City of Wolverhampton Council
