“First of its kind in our area” specialist school provision to open in September

A primary school in Grimsby is set to open some new school places offering specialist support to children with additional needs.

Littlecoates Primary Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, is working with North East Lincolnshire Council to launch the new 12-place provision from September, specifically for children with communication and interaction needs.

The new provision – called Launch Pad – will be the first of its type in North East Lincolnshire, and will be specially designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6).

Turnaround provision is aimed at those children who have low level additional needs, where some short-term support can help them to adjust to mainstream school.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, welcomed the move:

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to work with the team at Littlecoates Primary and the wider Wellspring Academy Trust to make this a reality, and would like to thank them for their support with this initiative. This is the first of its kind in our area.

“Launch Pad is by no means a catch-all solution. Launch Pad will be a very small, focussed provision that can make a difference, over time, to a good number of students.

“There are a lot of children in our area who have some additional needs, but can continue successfully in a mainstream school provided that they receive some targeted support at a key point in their education journey.”

Neville Wilkinson, Principal at Littlecoates Primary, added: “At Littlecoates, our philosophy is all about creating an inclusive, innovative and exciting school environment where every child can learn, play and achieve together. The new Launch Pad initiative fits with that ethos perfectly and we’re looking forward to playing an important role in supporting more children with SEND and enabling them to stay in mainstream settings. Specialist support is essential in helping children with additional needs meet their potential and enjoy their school life. This new specialist service is going to be a fantastic asset for the whole community.”

North East Lincolnshire SEND team will manage admissions to this provision in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) via annual reviews of EHCPs. Parents and Professionals are advised not to contact the setting directly at this moment in time due to ongoing building works and mobilisation of this provision.

There will be opportunities to see the provision via the school and SEND Local offer website, as well as open days during the summer term.