Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School: Proposal to expand the Resource Base

Consultation on a proposal to expand the Resource Base at Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School

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Proposal:

The Governing Body of Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School, with the support of Devon County Council, are proposing to increase the number of registered places in the existing Resource Base.  The Resource Base is currently registered for up to 8 learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. It is proposed to increase the number of registered places from 8 to 10 with effect from September 2025.

Background

Increasing Resource Base provision is part of a county-wide strategy by Devon County Council in response to the demand for increased special educational needs provision and to enhance the inclusive capacity of mainstream schools.  

A Resource Base supports learners whose needs can be met in a mainstream setting but who require a specialist environment and support within the school.  Pupils are supported within this environment with an Education Health and Care Plan, small class sizes and high staffing ratios. Their plan will also support their involvement in larger classes within the school according to the needs and progress of the pupil.  Our aim is to enable pupils to fulfil their potential to successfully access part or all of the curriculum within the mainstream school.  

Evidence of need

Devon has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP) in recent years.  There is a need to increase local capacity to meet demand around specific areas of growth which includes support for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

This proposal will ensure a better offer for children and young people that is local and suitable to their needs.  The proposal will support more children with special educational needs to be educated and thrive in their local school and community, facilitating better access to the curriculum and avoiding the need for children to travel to an appropriate setting further away from their local community.

Planning and Funding

There is sufficient capacity within the school to accommodate the increase in places. The Published Admission Number (PAN) of the school will not be impacted by this proposal. 

Revenue funding from Devon County Council is in place to support this proposal.

Admission to the Resource Base

To be considered for a place in a Resource Base the child or young person must have an EHCP. It is the Local Authority SEND Statutory Team who allocate places in the base, in consultation with the school.

Consultation and decision-making process

This consultation will take place from 22 May to 26 June 2025.

The Governing Body will review all consultation responses received and at a full governing body meeting will decide whether or not to approve the increase in places in the Resource Base from 8 to 10.

Proposed implementation: September 2025.

Responding to the consultation

Comments can be made to the Chair of Governors by midnight on 26 June 2025 by:

Emailing: admin@ilfracombe-jun.devon.sch.uk Please mark your email ‘Resource Base consultation’.

Or by post to: Chair of Governors, Ilfracombe C of E Junior School, Princess Avenue, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9LW

All responses to the consultation will be considered and will be shared with the school’s leadership team and governors. We will not send individual responses to any specific points made.

To learn more about how we handle your personal information, please refer to the Data Protection Policy via: https://www.ilfracombe-jun.devon.sch.uk/policies-and-documents