Decision details

To deliver a Secondary School Resource Base to accommodate children and young people with SEND. The new SEND Resource Base will support up to 20 children whose primary need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Resource Bases are for children and young people with special educational needs and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who will attend mainstream school and receive additional specialist support at a resource base. This is in line with the Council's priorities as set out in the SEND Collaboration for B&NES.

To fully approve a capital budget of £2,306,000, funded by Basic Needs provisional budget £1,986,944.89 and the balance to come from High Needs provisional Grant

Other options that had been considered included opening of SEMH resource bases a Somervale Secondary School and subsequently at St Gregory's Secondary School. Neither projects were progressed due to planning and deliverability concerns.
IKB was chosen due to the suitability of the location and site. In addition the Head Teacher and Academy Trust are fully supportive of a resource base to promote the inclusion of pupils with SEMH. This budget will enable us to move forward with delivery at the successful Secondary.