Proposal to Establish a New Special Educational Needs (SEN) Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School

Somerford Primary was presented to Cabinet on 4 March 2026.

The Cabinet Report is available. 'Somerford Primary School Resourced Provision' is Agenda item 19 from p769 of the Cabinet report.

Consultation Summary

A summary of the results of the consultation is below.

Informal Consultation

Prior to launching the statutory consultation, the Council undertook informal engagement with parents, school staff and local residents during December 2025 to gauge early views on the proposed establishment of a Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School.

A total of 22 respondents provided feedback, and all were supportive of the proposal. The comments received reflected strong community recognition of the need for additional local SEND provision and confidence in the benefits the development would bring. Illustrative comments included:

This is a brilliant idea! We've been saying for ages this needs to happen.” Parent

• “Please, please make this happen, such a good idea.” Local resident
• “This is a great idea, providing much‑needed support to SEN children in the area.” Parent
• “With increasing demands on local primary schools to make adjustments for pupils with EHCPs, with very little funding or adequate resources and training, this would be a fantastic opportunity to cater for the needs of all children in the Christchurch area. It is important that schools remain inclusive and this will allow local families to get the support and opportunities that they need.” Teacher

This early feedback has informed the development of the proposal now presented for formal consideration.

Formal Consultation

The Council launched its formal statutory consultation on 12 January 2026, in accordance with the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) Regulations 2013. The representation period will run until 9 February 2026. During this period, stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the proposal to establish a Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School. 19. To ensure wide awareness, the consultation has been publicised through multiple channels, including:

• The published proposal and consultation materials are available to view online at haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/somerford-send with the proposal document also available in this report as Appendix 1.
• an advert in the local newspaper.
• publication on the Council’s website.
• targeted communication issued to parents and staff of Somerford Primary School notifications to local headteachers, ward councillors and other statutory consultees.

The formal consultation report was added as an appendix to this report for Cabinet in March 2026 with full support for the proposal from participants.

Results

There were 12 online responses and an email was also received in response to the consultation. There were 173 visitors to the survey, with 258 visits in total

Eight respondents are parents of children currently attending Somerford Primary School, one is a governor at the school and two are 'other', which includes a retired teacher and a grandparent.

All 12 respondents are in support of the proposal 'Do you support or oppose the proposal to establish a new Special Educational Needs Resourced Provision at Somerford Primary School?'

Four respondents commented on the proposal. Their comments are shown below:

• "I think this is a good thing and very much needed."
• "I think this is much needed in the area."
• "The proposal makes effective use of currently available facilities to satisfy a real need in the locality. It would benefit both children and their families."
• "I do think the children with sen needs should not be in the regular classes. For example my son very often reports the class is 'evacuated' as its been disrupted by the children with sen needs. I dont feel any of the children get 100% if this is happening. My son and his other class mates who dont have sen needs have to wait while the situation is sorted and therefore miss time in school and the child with sen needs isn't getting the attention etc they need and therefore these situations happen. I feel a totally separate 'wing' for sen children would be more beneficial for all."

Outcome

The recommendation 'Cabinet agrees with the proposal to establish a new Resourced Provision for primary aged school children with SEND at Somerford Primary School with effect from 1 April 2026' was approved.