Council’s investment in borough schools helps children and young people with support needs thrive
In recent years, Telford & Wrekin Council has been investing heavily into schools across the borough, to create more school places and several Specialist Provision Hubs within existing school buildings for children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).
The Council has been working with some of the borough’s primary and secondary schools to develop Specialist Provision Hubs (adapted classrooms within school buildings), which help eligible children and young people with SEND to access mainstream education.
Each Specialist Provision Hub developed by the Council provides eight additional places in mainstream primary and secondary schools for children and young people with SEND.
Specialist Provision Hubs are already in place at a number of primary schools across the borough, such as Hollinswood, Old Park and Wrockwardine Wood Infant Schools, with another Hub soon to be finalised at John Randall Primary school.
In the last year, a Secondary Specialist Hub has been running at The Telford Langley School, to support young people from Southall School.
Since accessing the Specialist Provision Hub at The Telford Langley School, young people from Southall School said that they feel “a lot more independent”, “capable” and are “getting more opportunities and more lessons” that can help them in life.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “We are strongly committed to continue to invest in our schools, to create more school places so every local child and young person can attend the local school of their choice.
“As part of this investment, we are also expanding some schools’ provision with Specialist Provision Hubs - to give children and young people with special needs the same opportunities in mainstream education that others of their generation have and to create more inclusive schools.
“It’s fantastic to hear about the progress students attending these Hubs are making!
“In the coming years, further Specialist Provision Hubs will be created at schools in our borough, so more children and young people with special needs benefit from enhanced support and from the opportunities of their local mainstream schools.
“We are on their side, we want to them to thrive and get the best start in life.”
Steven Carter, Headteacher at The Telford Langley School said: “Young people who join the Specialist Provision Hub of our school have an academic profile that enable them to take part in the lessons of a mainstream school - they wouldn’t have this opportunity otherwise.
“The Hub is now an integral part of our school and this is incredibly beneficial for all our students”
Abi Martin, Headteacher at Southall School said: “Since they go to the Specialist Provision Hub at The Telford Langley School, I have seen our young people flourish and become more independent.
“The Hub is a huge success both for our school and The Telford Langley school - for the staff, the parents and carers but most importantly, for the youngsters who attend it.”
Jonathan Barrett, Operations Manager and Helen Young, Assistant Headteacher at the Specialist Provision Hub at The Telford Langley School added: “We are really proud of how much our Southall students are achieving at this Hub - working together with their peers, getting academically challenged and evolving day by day in a mainstream setting.”
To find out more about the Council’s Specialist Provision Hubs and SEND Local Offer, visit the Council’s SEND website.
Photo: Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab) (Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families), Steven Carter (Headteacher at The Telford Langley School), Abi Martin, (Headteacher at Southall School) , Jonathan Barrett (Operations Manager Specialist Provision Hub) Helen Young (Assistant Headteacher, Specialist Provision Hub) with support staff and students accessing the Specialist Support Hub at The Telford Langley School
