Strategy to increase SEND provision in Derby to reach next stage

Published: 7 March 2023

Plans are in place to implement the next phase of Derby City Council’s strategy to increase the provision available for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the city.

The second phase of Derby City Council’s SEND Strategy and Vision - ‘Living My Best Life’ - proposes to extend and remodel the Newton’s Walk former Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). The scheme would increase the number of available places at The Kingsmead School, a special school and PRU which offers a variety of specialist provision.

When complete, the remodelled premises will allow the school to offer additional places for SEND pupils aged between 11 and 16 with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs. It would also create the capacity to provide alternative provision for pupils who are in mainstream school. It is anticipated the project will increase provision from April 2024.

Locally and nationally, the SEND system is experiencing increasing demand and is therefore under significant pressure. As part of ‘Living My Best Life’, the Council is working to increase Derby’s capacity to meet the needs of children with SEND. This will mean more children will access the education they need within their own community, close to their family and friends, and reduce the need for placements outside the area.

Local data indicates a growing need for SEMH provision and provision for the autistic children with complex health needs in the city. The expansion and re-modelling of Newton’s Walk PRU would address this, allowing The Kingsmead School to provide specialist support for learners with SEMH through a varied provision and curriculum offer.

These would include special school placements, full-time shared placements with a mainstream school, hospital/medical placements, alternative provision, personalised programme packages and provision for permanently excluded pupils.

The proposal to increase provision at The Kingsmead School will be considered by Derby City Council’s Cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday 15 March. It is among the proposed schemes based on the SEND Capital Programme consultation, which ended in January 2022. The response to this consultation was overwhelmingly supportive of the proposals.

In July 2022, Phase 1 secured approval for the creation of further places at Ivy House and Kingsmead schools approved in July 2022. In December last year, the programme delivered the approval of Phase 1a with the expansion and remodelling of St Clare’s Special School, the Hub and Spoke-model and further support for the Inclusion HUBs.

For more information about Derby’s SEND Local Offer see the Derby City Council website.

Children, Education, Young people