Proposal for High Park School to extend one of their buildings, facilitating an increase of 36 places for children and young people with an EHCP specific to the designated need of the school.
The Local Authority has specific duties to ensure that there is sufficient specialist provision available for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), where their EHCPs determine that their needs should be met in specialist
provision.
Bradford has experienced a significant increase in the number of children and young people with EHCP’s requiring specialist provision, to ensure they are able to have their complex needs fully met and receive the specialist support that is required for them
to thrive. It is projected that demand for specialist places will continue to grow across all sectors.
High Park School
High Park School is part of the Carlton Academy Trust and is a school for pupils with special educational needs. We work closely with the Local Authority to support Children and Young People with an Education, Health and Care Plans in order to give them
the best possible learning journey.
The Carlton Academy Trust is a medium-sized family of 9 schools, secondary, primary and special. Our mission is ‘excellence for all’.
We are a successful, specialist school for children and young people 3 –19 where we pride ourselves on providing a safe and dynamic learning environment for pupils who have complex needs arising from communication and interaction difficulties, autism, and
severe learning needs.
We have in place a carefully designed curriculum which is meaningful and relevant and facilitates deep and active learning, maximising progress for all pupils. Our intention is to broaden our pupils’ experiences through a balance of stability and challenge
and by making all areas of the curriculum engaging and motivating. We have a deep commitment to ensuring that communication and physical/emotional regulation form the foundation for our pupils’ learning, allowing them to grow and thrive.
At High Park, we provide our children and young people with a safe, positive, and inclusive learning environment where they can learn and achieve their potential. To facilitate this, we have in place a multi-professional team who work together to ensure
that pupils receive the personalised support they need. This highly effective therapeutic provision includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Aroma Therapy, and the support of a skilled Positive Behaviour Team. These professionals work collaboratively
with teaching staff to support an integrated approach which ensures that all pupils make progress in every area of their development and acquire essential skills in their preparation for adulthood.
?The Local Authorities 2024-25 Strategic Plan shows evidence that there is demand for primary and secondary special school places across the Bradford District
Why are we consulting?
If a school wishes to make significant changes, such as changing the number and/or type of school places and/or where they are offered, they need to have a fair and open local consultation with relevant stakeholders.
After views have been sought and assessed the Academy school must then submit a Tier 1 Application to the Department for Education (DfE) which will then go to approval at the Regional Schools Group.
What are we consulting on?
This proposal is to increase the number of pupils on the roll at High Park School by 36 through the extension of a building on site.
Evidence of demand:
Despite falling birth rates leading to smaller cohorts entering primary school, the Bradford district has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in recent years.
In September 2024, 7309 Bradford district residents had an EHCP, which was an increase of 1050 compared to November 2023 and represents a growth of nearly 17% over that period. Between January 2019 and September 2024, the number of school-aged children
with an EHCP has more than doubled from 2579 to 5223.
Although most students with an EHCP are able to access a mainstream classroom, the increase in numbers has also placed significant additional pressure on the sufficiency of specialist provision. Additional specialist places are required to allow the
local authority (LA) to continue to carry out its duty to ensure sufficient provision is available to meet the educational, training and social care needs of the children and young people of the district, as set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.
Amongst primary-aged Bradford-resident pupils with an EHCP, around 70% have their primary need recorded as Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) or Communication and Interaction Needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For secondary-aged
pupils, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) takes over as the number one recorded primary need, however SLCN and ASD continue to make up more than 43% of their recorded primary need.
As an all-through special academy that already delivers high quality provision for students with SLCN and ASD (as well as those with diagnoses for severe, profound or multiple learning difficulties), it is ideally suited to help meet the demand for additional
places.
How will this be achieved?
If approved, the plan is for the Local Authority to work closely with the Trust and School to build the extra classrooms and facilities at High Park. The three classrooms and specialist areas will facilitate an increase of 36 places.
Who will fund and ensure the project is delivered?
If approved, funding for this expansion would come from the High Needs Capital Funding, with the development being project managed by the Local Authority. The provision will be staffed and managed by High Park School and the Carlton Academy Trust.
How can I share my views?
The consultation will be open from 9th May 2025 to the 30th May 2025 for you to share your views.
Response by email to:
catconsultation@catrust.uk
Response by letter to: Capacity Consultation, High Park School, Thorn Lane, Heaton, Bradford, BD9 6RY