WCC invests to offer 80 places for special needs pupils by 2021
Warwickshire County Council has successfully completed the purchase of a former independent special school building in Exhall, increasing its provision for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the county.
The building, formerly owned by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), is a purpose-built school for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities which also features five adjacent bungalows for residential or overnight provision. It is located on Wheelwright Lane, adjacent to Wheelwright Lane Primary School and Exhall Grange Specialist School.
The purchase presents an opportunity for WCC to increase its offer for some of its more vulnerable young people and will enable them to attend a school in the County rather than travel out of Warwickshire, minimising disruption for the pupils and keeping health and social care integrated with their education. The projected opening date is September 2021.
The proposal is to establish an 80 place specialist school for children with Autism (ASD) and/or Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The age range of pupils would be from Year 5 to Year 14 (9-19 years old).
The purchase of the site supports the Council’s desire to keep vulnerable learners within Warwickshire wherever possible. Demand for specialist educational provision is rising with 261 learners currently in specialist provision and forecasts showing that a further 259 places will be required by 2023.
Establishing a new school at Exhall is integral to the Council’s strategy to respond to this challenge, and follows the commissioning of the Discovery Academy in Nuneaton (opened in 2015) and Quest Academy in Rugby (opened in 2017).
Parent Carer Assessment Consultation
Warwickshire County Council is undertaking a public consultation to re-shape and improve the support we offer parent carers of a child (under the age of 18) with a disability.
The Parent Carer Support Pathway will focus on taking a person-centred approach, based on a Wellbeing Conversation, that provides parent carers with the right support at the right time.
We are looking to improve the support pathway based on feedback we have received from parent carers that has indicated that whilst the current pathway works for some it does not work for all.
During the consultation period we would like to hear from as many parent carers of disabled children as possible. We would also welcome views from professionals who support parent carers.
The public consultation opened on 6 January and closes on Sunday 9 February 2020.
Further information
An overview of the proposed process and other supporting documents can be accessed online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ask.
A paper copy of the online survey can be requested by telephone (01926 415106) or by emailing parentcarerconsult@warwickshire.gov.uk.
Drop-in Sessions
A number of drop-in sessions have been organised that will include a short presentation followed by a Q&A session. Current available dates are as follows:
Monday 20 Jan, 1.30-3.30pm at Warwick Racecourse - 1707 Suite
Thursday 23 Jan, 6.30-8pm at Warwick Racecourse - 1707 Suite
Attachment, trauma and emotion coaching for designated teachers
Warwickshire’s Virtual School is running top up sessions for designated teachers who have not had, or need to refresh, attachment, trauma and Emotion Coaching.
It is essential that our designated teachers for children looked after (CLA) and previously looked after children (CPLA) are aware of the impact of early attachment and adverse childhood experiences and their impact on developing brains. Understanding the neuro-science enables teachers to identify and develop more appropriate responses, such as Emotion Coaching.
Designated teachers from all Warwickshire settings are invited to attend, free of charge, fulfilling their requirement for ongoing CPD as detailed in the current DfE guidance. Settings outside of Warwickshire can also attend free of charge if there are Warwickshire CLA on roll.
All sessions begin with refreshments at 8.30am, delivery starts at 9am and runs until 4pm.
To book places or for further information please contact the Virtual School team:
Email: virtualschool@warwickshire.gov.uk Tel: 01926 742018
AVAILABLE DATES
Understanding Attachment and Trauma
27 Feb at Bulkington Village Centre
30 April at Rugby College
Emotion Coaching
5 March at Rugby College
21 May at Bulkington Village Centre
BBC Countryfile visit Brownsover Community School
The pupils and staff at Brownsover Community School were joined by film crews from the BBC in December, when they spent the day recording for a special feature for Countryfile, a programme covering rural, agricultural and environmental issues in the UK.
Regular presenter on the programme, Tom Heap, spent the day seeing first-hand how the collaborative efforts of all of the staff, pupils and local community have positively impacted on the curriculum and contributed to the development of a forward looking food culture in the school. He had the chance to help prepare and serve the school dinners, meet the pupils and talk with teaching and kitchen staff about how the school have embraced the 'farm-to-fork' philosophy.
The school were keen to share how they have achieved the Gold 'Food for Life' school award, which recognises settings that go the extra mile to promote healthy food behaviours throughout the whole ethos of the school. To achieve this highest award schools should demonstrate that:
- They act as hubs for their local community, actively involving parents and community groups in cooking and growing activities
- They serve food that is healthy, ethical, made largely from local ingredients and a minimum of 15% organic and 5% free range
- Pupils choose to eat a school meal as the norm
- They are actively involved in the life of a local farm and active in planning and growing organic food for the school.
Headteacher, Elisa Basnett, said:
At Brownsover, we pride ourselves in developing the whole child, and the key skills addressed throughout our Food For Life program ensure that healthy eating and lifestyles are actively promoted and supported for all children. The children really enjoyed the filming experience! They take great pride in sharing our achievements with visitors and especially enjoy cooking with their friends and parents.
The program is due to air on Sunday 19 January so don't forget to tune in!
Latest updates for RE subject leaders and coordinators
Spring RE Bulletin 2020
Please click here for the RE Spring Bulletin 2020
Candle Conference
A Candle Conference is to be held on Tuesday 17 March 2020 at Coventry Cathedral. The event is primarily for Year 12 students covering topics specified by all English examination boards for AS level/A level Year 1 Study in Religious Studies. It aims to enthuse and extend students, helping them to develop a love and holistic understanding of the subject. Detailed information can be found on the Candle Conferences website here.