Purpose

To adapt existing school accommodation at Peasedown St John Primary (PSJ) to provide a SEND Resource Base to support pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Resource Base will accommodate up to 12 children who will attend mainstream school and receive additional support in the Resource Base.

Decision

To fully approve £53k of capital budget, fully funded by Higher Needs Provision Capital Allocation Grant (HNPCA).

Alternative options considered

Multi Academy Trusts(MATs)/Schools in BANES were approached to ascertain if they were interested in opening Resource Base (RB) provision for SEND children. The MATs/Schools submitted their “Visions" which were considered jointly between the LA, Bath Parent Carer Forum and the MATs/schools. The RBs needed to offer provision that fitted with B&NES requirements and the data available at the time clearly showed the need for ASD support. From the submissions received, feasibility and development work has been carried out. Peasedown St John Primary School has school accommodation available which can be adapted to open a SEND ASD Resource Base.