 Help shape our new strategies
There is just one week to go to share your views on two strategies to help people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to live, learn and be well.
The two draft strategies we are consulting on are our SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2029 for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and an All-ages Autism Strategy 2024 – 2029.
You can read the full information and see draft copies of the strategies on the Engage Wokingham Borough website.
Both strategies have been developed with extensive feedback and input from people within the SEND and autism communities, including children, young people and adults, parents, carers, schools, health and partner organisations.
They will help shape services and action plans that will support to have access to the things they need to thrive including secure housing, safe and strong communities and places, good jobs with fair pay and quality education.
People are invited to share their feedback on the principles and priorities that make up the draft strategies before the consultation closes on 20 August.
 Update on two new SEND schools
Two new special schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities that are planned for the borough have taken the next step as the Ascendancy Partnership Trust have had their application to run both schools approved.
The Ascendancy Partnership Trust is a newly formed multi-academy trust made up of three Berkshire special schools; Addington Special School in Woodley and Brookfields School in Reading, both rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and Manor Green School in Maidenhead, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
The trust, which evolved from Addington School, is currently in the final stages of being formed and is expected to take over the leadership of the three schools this September.
Specialist support and education
The two new schools, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), will offer 120 places each for children and young people aged four to 19.
One school will specialise In Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) for those with severe difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour who are likely to struggle building relationships, engaging in learning and coping in a classroom without extra support.
The other school will specialise in Severe Learning Disabilities (SLD) for those who are likely to need support with all activities in everyday life, such as dressing, washing and eating as well as having difficulties with speech and physical disabilities.
It is proposed that the two schools be based alongside each other at Rooks Nest Farm bordering Barkham and Finchampstead. The DfE has begun the process of carrying out feasability surveys. Once they have been finalised, the designs of the schools will be agreed and a full planning application will be submitted for formal consultation.
 Early years centre for children with SEND doubles spaces
Phase two of the Addington Early Years Centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has had a grand opening, ready to welcome 16 new children who have already been offered a space this September.
Phase one of the centre opened in Autumn 2023 to 17 children aged three to eight years with SEND. Based at the old Farley Hill Primary School site, the centre offers a small bespoke learning environment in spaces specifically designed to cater for their needs.
Included in the phase two works are two new classrooms, a soft play room, splash and sand room and a second, larger playground.
This adds to the spaces already available, which include a medical room where therapists can work with children, accessible indoor and outdoor classrooms, a reading area and spaces for children to go to help them regulate.
As well as special spaces, a large team of dedicated staff are on hand to support the children with all their needs, helping them feel safe and settled, as well as providing whole family support from a family support worker.
Places to Addington Early Years Centre are allocated in line with the admissions policy, which can be seen on the school’s website.
 Two new SEND facilities to open this September
Finishing touches are being put on two new SEND facilities over the summer holidays ready to welcome children in September.
Eight children are due to start at a new resource base at Loddon Primary School and six at a new SEND unit at Radstock Primary School, both in Earley.
During the last term, the 14 children, all who live in Wokingham borough, have been enjoying transition opportunities ready for starting in September.
New facilities
Phased entry over the next three years will see 42 additional spaces for children with social and communication difficulties will offer bespoke teaching and environments.
There are opportunities for integration into mainstream classrooms, meaning children will be members of the school community and receive all the benefits that go with that.
In a resource base, children spend around 50 per cent of their time in the school and the rest getting specialist support in the resource base.
The SEND unit is for children with a higher level of need who will spend around 70 per cent of time getting specialist support and the rest in the school, bridging the gap between those needing a lower tier of support and special schools.
Further information
Admission will be via the multi-agency SEND panel for children with EHCPs in line with their needs.
In case you missed it
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