To seek Cabinet’s approval to consult formally with parents, staff, the governing body of Pil Primary School and any other interested parties, to close the moderate learning difficulties (MLD) learning resource centre at the school.

The Corporate Director Education and Transformation submitted a report, The purpose of which was to seek Cabinet’s approval to consult formally with parents, staff, the governing body of Pil Primary School and any other interested parties, to close the moderate learning difficulties (MLD) learning resource centre at the school.

The above proposals also related to the Educational Inclusion Strategy which was agreed by Cabinet in March 2009.  Within that policy it states the desire for all BCB schools and education providers to be inclusive learning communities that value diversity, and that can accommodate as wide a range of needs as possible. It also stated the belief that the needs of the overwhelming majority of school-age learners can and should be accommodated in local schools that are properly equipped and fit for purpose, and that reflect the diverse strengths of the communities they serve.

The Corporate Director Education and Transformation advised that there has been a successful approach by the Inclusion Service in training staff in schools to support pupils with moderate learning difficulties.  Staff were far better equipped to identify needs at an earlier stage and support pupils with moderate learning difficulties through a differentiated curriculum in mainstream classes, rather than placing children with these difficulties in a separate unit. However, there is also sufficient alternative provision within the County Borough for those pupils with moderate learning difficulties, who are unable to access mainstream classes and need to make use of a separate learning resource facility.

She added that the Council supports the principle that, whenever possible, children should be educated within a mainstream school environment as near to their home as possible.

The proposal if approved would mean that:

·         The MLD (Moderate Learning Difficulty) learning resource centre provision at Pil Primary School comprising of 1 classroom that can accommodate 15 pupils would close. There is currently only one pupil placed in the learning resource centre, and this pupil is transitioning to secondary school in September and this pupil is transitioning to secondary school in September.

·         There will remain two learning resource centres for MLD pupils in the West locality, one in Cefn Cribwr Primary School and the other in Corneli Primary school. Current demand indicates that there will be 10 places available in the west from September 2016.

·         It is proposed to close the learning resource centre from 1st September 2016.

The Corporate Director Education and Transformation concluded her report by advising Cabinet of the financial implications pertaining to the proposal.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that that the Moderate Learning Difficulty learning resource centre provision at Pil Primary school would be empty in September 2016, and the Education Authority was clear about ensuring that demands in the future to accommodate children with learning and other difficulties would be provided for and supported as necessary in schools where there was a demand for this.

He added that there was more than enough spaces in the two other schools within this cluster group from September to cater for any increase in demand of pupils with MLD, and that savings from the centre that was proposing to be closed would be used to support children in other parts of the County Borough, and not just those with MLD, but also those children with any needs of another kind.

RESOLVED:                  That Cabinet agreed to consult formally on the proposal to close the Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) learning resource centre at Pil Primary School with effect from 1 September 2016, and for the outcome of the consultation to be reported back to Cabinet so that an informed decision can then be made on the proposal.