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Alongside our SEND Local Offer webpages and our Local Offer Directory, this half-termly newsletter brings news and updates about what's on offer locally for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), directly to your inbox.
 Update from Jamie, Head of SEND
Schools white paper and SEND reform consultation
You may be aware that the government has recently published its vision for schools and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform in its white paper: Every child achieving and thriving.
Alongside this, the SEND reform: putting children and young people first consultation asks a series of questions to get the views of everyone with an interest.
The publication of this white paper is the beginning of a consultation process, and I want to reassure all children, young people and families that there are no immediate changes. Until any new laws are introduced, the current SEND system remains in place and all duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 continue to apply.
We absolutely share the ambition that every child and young person should have access to high quality, inclusive education that meets their needs, close to home. As reforms develop, we are committed to co-producing changes with all partners that support children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, including families. Your experiences and views are essential and will help shape what happens next.
Have your say
We are actively encouraging families to take part in the consultation.
Our borough's parent carer forum, SEND Voices Wokingham has shared helpful information about the white paper on their website. They will also be holding three in-person engagement sessions:
- Tuesday 21 April at The Acorn Centre, Wokingham
- Monday 27 April at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley
- Wednesday 6 May at Radstock Community Centre, Earley
All sessions will be from 7pm to 9.30pm.
You can find full details on the SEND Voices Wokingham website.
You can also respond directly to the consultation online.
We will continue to work closely with you to best support children and young people in Wokingham Borough throughout this period of reform.
 In-person meetings next term
If your child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the SEND Team is holding more face-to-face meetings in the summer term.
Upcoming dates
- Thursday 23 April
- Thursday 2 July
Location: Woodley Airfield Centre
These are a chance to talk through any queries about your child’s EHCP and the support they’re getting. You can also ask for an online meeting if you can't make it in person.
Booking opens:
- Wednesday 1 April for the April meetings
- Monday 1 June for the July meetings
Booking will be available through TicketSource.
 New SEND units for primary-aged children
Three new SEND units will be coming to Wokingham Borough after plans were recently approved.
- The Walter Infant school and St Pauls Junior School will support children with autism and associated additional needs
- Winnersh Primary School will support children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
Read the full news article on the our website.
More support planned
More SEND provision is also being developed, subject to approval from the Department for Education. This includes:
- An additional resource base for primary-aged children with SEMH needs
- A resource base for secondary-aged children with cognition and learning needs
- A SEND unit for secondary-aged children with communication and interaction needs
These developments will help ensure a broader range of support is available as children move through their education.
 Update on plans for new special free school
We are set to take forward plans for a new special free school and a provision on another site.
The new special free school will provide places for students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) at Rooks Nest Farm Finchampstead, aiming to open in September 2028.
This will be supplemented by another special provision, in refurbished school premises, opening in September 2029.
Read the full news article on our website.
 New supported internships at LEGOLAND
Ambitious College has partnered with LEGOLAND Windsor Resort to offer a new supported internship programme from September 2026.
This programme is for young people aged 17 to 25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and want support to move into paid employment.
Specialist staff from Ambitious College will support interns throughout the programme.
Online information sessions
Families can join an online session to find out more:
- Wednesday 31 March, 10am to 11am
- Tuesday 14 April, 10am to 11am
- Thursday 16 April, 10am to 11am
Book a place on the Ambitious College website.
You can also explore more supported internship opportunities on the SEND Local Offer.
 Explore post-16 options at our SEND event
Save the date for our free, market stall event to support with preparing for adulthood.
This event will bring together a range of information and local support services, to support young people with SEND to explore post-16 options.
Download a guide
You can also read a guide on the SEND Local Offer about education options for young people aged 16 and over.
It explains options like sixth form, college, and work-based training and about support available for special educational needs and disabilities.
 SEND coffee mornings and SENDIASS drop-ins
SENDIASS offers free, impartial advice to families.
They offer drop-ins every two weeks:
- 10.30am to 12.30pm
- At the Wokingham Youth Centre
SEND Voices Wokingham will be there to offer a cup of tea or coffee, a chat and an opportunity to connect with other families.
Find dates and times for SENDIASS drop-ins.
 Sensory-friendly screenings at Showcase cinema
Showcase Cinema in Winnersh runs sensory‑friendly film screening every Sunday at 10.30am.
These screenings have:
- No trailers
- Lower volume
- Freedom to move around the auditorium
- The option to bring your own food and drink
You can view the schedule and book tickets on the Showcase cinema website.
The cinema is fully wheelchair accessible and there are wheelchair spaces available in all screens. Read more about accessibility on the cinema's website.
 Supporting young people with puberty and changes
Autism specific workshop
ASSIST, our autism family support service, are offering a workshop for parents on sexual development and puberty.
- Woodley Airfield Centre
- Wednesday 6 May
- 9.30am to midday
To book a place, or to join the mailing list, email ASSIST.
Free resources for families
The charity Learn and Thrive creates learning resources for children and young people with Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities.
Their Learning for Life programme follows the Relationships, Sexual and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. It helps children and young people aged eight to 25 understand puberty, relationships, staying safe and other important topics in an accessible way.
 Tell us what you'd like to see at new family hubs
We are relaunching our children’s centres with a new name, Best Start family hubs.
Families have told us it can sometimes be hard to know where to go for help, so our family hubs will bring a wide range of support together in one place, from pregnancy through the early years and up to age 19, or 25 for young people with SEND.
Tell us what services you'd like to see in the family hubs in our short survey.
 Activities for the Easter holidays
The latest CAN (Children with Additional Needs) Network newsletter is full of ideas for things to do during the school holidays.
This includes:
- Garden Explorers SEND holiday club
- Together One Step at a Time sensory sessions
- Easter themed activities
- Egg hunts and trails
- Dinton adventure golf – new to CAN card
- Train fun
- Accessible clubs and activities for the holidays and beyond
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