Plans for new special educational needs school in Theale submitted

An application has been submitted to set up a new SEND school in Theale.

Amegreen Children's Services has applied for permission to change the use of existing offices in The Old Agency, Englefield Road, into an SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school with on-site accommodation.

It has also asked West Berkshire Council for permission to erect a boundary fence to create a play area and dedicated outdoor area for the residential care side.

Amegreen already operates a number of other children’s homes and schools within the district. These include Haywards Farm School in Theale, which will be the primary ‘feeder’ school for SEN children to have consistent education journey between the ages of five and 16.

In terms of need, the applicant has estimated a deficit of 443 specialist spaces within existing schools in West Berkshire.

It added this deficit is expected to rise to around 3,320 by the end of 2025 if no extra provision is provided.

In 2018/19, the council reported an annual figure of 938 children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

But by 2021/22, this number had increased by approximately 27.7 per cent to 1,198, in line with national and regional trends over the same period.

The proposed new school will operate Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm for 38 weeks of the year.

It expects to enrol 15 pupils, with eight living on site and seven arriving by minibus daily.

The proposed development will employ 12 staff, including six within the school who will arrive at 8am and leave the site at 4pm.

Of the six staff associated with the residential care aspect, three will remain on-site overnight. Residential care staff changeovers will occur between 2pm and 3pm.

The application is due to be decided by Wednesday, June 11.