Special school '˜mergers' to see three sites close

In November 2015, Brighton and Hove City Council announced its intention to reduce six special schools to three. The council said its preferred way of achieving the three centres would be to merge schools, but the legal process to achieve this has to be that one school closes, while the other is expanded.

The six special schools are: Patcham House, Homewood College, Hillside Special School, Downs Park Special School, Downs View Special School and the Cedar Centre.

Councillors at Monday’s (March 6) children, young people and skills committee will consider the following proposals to consult with the public on:

- to expand Hillside special school in Portslade and close the neighbouring Downs Park special school, forming a new hub for learning difficulties in the west of the city;

- to expand Downs View special school in Woodingdean and close the Cedar Centre in Hollingdean, to form a new hub for learning difficulties in the east of the city.

Councillors will also consider the outcome of the formal consultation on the proposal to close Patcham House special school by September 2018 due to falling pupil numbers.

They will also be asked to agree a plan to create an integrated hub for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs by bringing Homewood College and the city’s pupil referral units (PRU) together.

The council said the current ratio of class teachers and teaching assistants will be maintained as a result of the proposed reorganisation, and there will be no reduction in overall pupil numbers.

Councillor Dan Chapman, chair of the children’s committee, said: “This is about making best use of resources to deliver better services. It’s not a cost-cutting exercise. All the money involved will still be spent on children with SEN (special educational needs) and disabilities.

“We will ensure that the needs of our vulnerable children will continue to be met. Our proposals for delivering better and more integrated support have received widespread backing from both families and staff.

“Our special schools have delivered excellent education over many years, but the expectations of both the government and of local families are changing.

“Our vision is to deliver more holistic education, health and care facilities for our most vulnerable young people. Consolidating these different services at the three proposed new hubs would make a big and very positive difference to the overall level of care and education we can provide.”

The committee will also be asked to make a final decision on proposals to extend the age ranges of Hillside and Downs View down to age two in order to cater for the small number of very young children in the city with very complex needs.