Consultation: Proposals on the future of the Hearing Support Resource Base at Overton Grange School

Closed 12 Feb 2018

Opened 15 Jan 2018

Contact

Olivia McKenna

Olivia.mckenna@sutton.gov.uk

Overview

This consultation outlines options for potential changes to the Hearing Support Department (Unit) at Overton Grange School with effect from September 2018. There are three options under consideration. Whichever option is chosen, all young people currently attending the Unit will continue to receive their education, with support, at the school until their natural point of transfer

Overton Grange School is an academy that hosts a Hearing Support Department offering up to 14 places for pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs/Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The academy receives enhanced funding to provide specialist resources and teaching expertise for pupils placed in the unit.

The number of pupils placed at the unit has remained consistently low over the last few years and currently, only 3 of the 14 places are in use by Sutton young people. There may be a number of reasons for this such as advances in technology or a more flexible approach to providing support making it easier for young people to thrive in other schools. Currently, the majority of young people living in the borough of secondary age and with Hearing Impairments (HI) attend schools other than Overton Grange.

Nationally, many local authorities are changing the way they support children with hearing impairment. An increasing proportion has their needs met in their local mainstream school, which we welcome. However, a small number may benefit from more intensive support, such as is available at Overton Grange.

Locally, evidence shows there are a small number of parents of children with hearing impairment of primary age who seek places at the unit. Of the 3 HI students currently attending the Unit, one came from Rushy Meadow, the others from other mainstream schools. One of the two children leaving Rushy Meadow in August 2018 has expressed a preference for a place at Overton Grange, meaning that the numbers of pupils in the unit will rise to 4 children but well below the existing commissioned number and hence the number of places that are being funded.

Given the above, we are thinking about three different options upon which we want to hear your views.i) No change, ii) a reduction in the size of the base, ii) closure of the base. 

 

Why your views matter

London Borough of Sutton, in partnership with Overton Grange School, would like to know what parents in the area think about the proposal.

 We welcome comments and questions from parents or other interested parties regarding future provision for children with HI across the borough.

  • The Consultation period will open on 15th January 2018, and close on 12th February 2018.

  • There will be a meeting for parents and other interested parties on Monday 29th January at 6.30pm at the School. You do not need to register your attendance

Please read the consultation document attached at the bottom of the page and complete the online survey. We would prefer that respondents use the online survey but if respondents would prefer there is a hard copy of the consultation response form attached below with details of who to send it to in the consultation document.

Ultimately decisions on where to place pupils with SEN are taken by the Local Authority. It is anticipated that Councillors at the London Borough of Sutton will consider the responses to the consultation and make a final decision on Wednesday 14th March 2018. Should members decide to either reduce the number of places or to cease funding the unit, changes will come into effect in  September 2018. 

Areas

  • Belmont
  • Carshalton Central
  • Cheam
  • Stonecot
  • Sutton Central
  • Sutton North
  • Sutton South
  • The Wrythe
  • Wallington North
  • Wallington South

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Children and young people
  • Education
  • Disability