Consultation on providing specialist places for pupils with special educational needs

The County Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for all children including those with special educational needs. Increasing demand for places for children with significant needs has been identified due to the existing provisions being at capacity along with a lack of provision for pupils in Key Stage 2.

We are working alongside Suffolk County Council to develop additional specialist education places in one of our schools.

Burton End Primary Academy will be offering an additional 12 places for children in Key Stage 2 with a range of special needs. This offer will complement the schools existing 12 place Reception and KS 1 resource.

Places will be offered as part of a dedicated class, with specially trained staff. The funding for capital works to our school is being provided by Suffolk County Council.

These places will be in addition to the school’s current PAN (Planned Admission Number). This means that there will not be a reduction in the number of places available in the usual admissions round. Allocation of specialist places will follow a separate admissions process and will be for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Under the Department for Education’s Making Significant Changes to an Open Academy guidance, multi-academy trusts must consult with their community when proposing to make significant changes to the operation of an open academy.

Unity Schools Partnership and Burton End Primary Academy now want to hear the views of its stakeholders on this significant change proposal.

Below is the consultation document with a question. Please return responses to the school or to Specialist Provision Consultation, Unity Schools Partnership, Homefield Road Haverhill CB9 8QP or to  specialistprovision@unitysp.co.uk by Friday 23 May 2025.