Objective, effect and proposed implementation
Manchester's Strategy for Pupils with SEN
Manchester’s Children and Young People’s Plan has a vision that every child and young person aged 0-25 will achieve their full potential, and be:
- Safe
- Happy
- Healthy
- Successful
Manchester aims for children and young people with SEND to attend their local pre-school setting, and - whenever possible - to be educated in their local mainstream school. Specialist provision should be within schools based in the city, where it's required. The vast majority of pupils’ SEN are met within the following:
- Fully inclusive mainstream provision.
- Mainstream with support.
- Resourced mainstream provision.
- Special school provision.
Manchester’s special school provision is located in purpose-built schools. These schools are awarded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. They all have an outreach offer that can be accessed by mainstream schools and settings. This means that every school can identify and meet the needs of children with SEND who choose to attend a local school or setting, and close the gap in outcomes when compared to young people without SEND.
The objective of this proposal is for the Local Authority to establish a Resourced Provision at Higher Openshaw Community School. Doing so will provide capacity to meet the needs of the growing SEND pupil population, allowing pupils to access provision locally.
The effect on other educational institutions within the area.
The Resourced Provision will provide additional places for local children with special educational needs with no negative impact on other local schools, academies, and educational institutions.
Project costs and indication of how these will be met, including how long-term value for money will be achieved.
The High Needs Block part of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) will fund the specialist places at Higher Openshaw Community School. The revenue funding required for the extra places is included in the DSG allocation. The extra commissioned places have been agreed upon by the Schools Forum.
Changes to the building will be carried out to make sure it is suitable for the pupils accessing the Resourced Provision Unit. The High Needs Capital grant provided to us by the Department for Education will be funding this work.
The proposal to establish a Resourced Provision at Higher Openshaw Community School will ensure the continued delivery of high-quality and cost-effective places for children and young people in Manchester and provide local specialist provision.
Implementation and any proposed stages for implementation.
The proposed implementation date is set for 1 September 2025. Admission arrangements will be managed by the Special Educational Needs statutory assessment process.