Bracknell's Special Needs Schools Progress Questioned

Questions have been raised about progress on building dedicated schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bracknell and how they are being supported.

Bracknell Forest Council is working on projects to increase SEND provision and discussed progress at its overview & scrutiny commission.

Councillor Mike Forster (Liberal Democrats, Sandhurst) praised the childrens services team and asked if it was meeting the performance goals set in April.

"Are we going to be able to make up the sort of focus that we've had on the new legislation to service quality, improving our service and maintaining our service, while recognising the still increasing demand that we're always seeing in SEND?

"Are we in a position that we can deliver both, quite frankly, the new reform and the increasing demand at the same time?"

Susan Haliwell, the council chief executive, said resources had been diverted and there were "bumps in the road", but the authority was focused on priorities and improving delivery.

"I think that reflection of what we've had to do is spot on in terms of diverting resources and capacity.

"There are still bumps in the road, but we are very focused and targeted on the areas we do need to pick up.

"Will we get back up to 100 per cent delivery in year? I'm not 100 per cent confident, but I know we have the ambition, and I know that we've done whatever we can with the reform plans to make sure that we're not duplicating, but we do something once, and we do it well once."

Haliwell added the council is in a better place with data on the children it supports and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

To meet local need, the council is converting the former Warfield Church of England primary school in All Saints Rise into a social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) school with 50 places. Work began in October last year and is on track for completion in Spring 2027.

There are also plans for Forest View School in Buckler's Park, which will have 100 places for autistic pupils from reception to Year 13.

Updating colleagues, Helen Purnell (Labour, Easthampstead & Wildridings) said: "This is hot off the press, Peter Swallow MP wrote to Josh McAllister MP, the minister for children and families, regarding Forest View School.

"He's just shared the response, which is incredibly positive.

"Technical advisors have been appointed for Forest View, they met with department officials in July to commence the feasibility phase.

"So although we're not hearing about it, things are happening in the background, and I have huge faith that the school will be delivered as soon as it practicably can be."

The answers were given at a meeting on September 3.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter