Additional school places for young people with disabilities
In response to the growing need to provide high quality additional and urgent local profound multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and severe learning disabilities (SLD) secondary school places for September 2022, the London Borough of Bexley has been looking at a number of options to cater for this increased demand.
The Council has been in discussion with all our trusts and schools who may be in a position to support us with the provision of these specialist places for our young people with the most profound and complex needs.
Following these extensive discussions, the Trustees of The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT) have agreed to expand the number of places offered via Shenstone School which will result in 12 – 20 pupils annually continuing their secondary education at this school.
This development will compliment, not replace, pupils attending Marlborough School, our existing PMLD/SLD school and will ensure a broader offer, and that all our Bexley learners who require an SLD place from year 7 onwards have a local provision available that can meet their needs.
Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr John Fuller said:
“Ensuring that young people in our Borough who have learning disabilities can get a good quality education in their local area is a priority for us. These additional secondary school places will help those who are most vulnerable in our community.”
To accommodate these additional numbers and placements the Council will provide additional accommodation on a new site. This proposal is subject to formal sign off by the Department for Education (DfE) Regional Schools Commissioner.
Dr Karen Roberts CEO of the Kemnal Academies Trust commented:
“We are delighted, subject to the consultation DfE consent, to be able to offer the additional places at Shenstone school, in partnership with the London Borough of Bexley. As well as being of great significance to the success of TKAT, we understand just how important Shenstone and this additional provision is for our community.”
The consultation period ends on 1st May 2022. To have your say, contact Jess Wilks, Asset Development Manager, TKAT jess.wilks@tkat.org and/or attend the public meeting at 6pm on Thursday 21st April 2022 at Shenstone School, Crayford.
