A consultation on Isle of Wight Council proposals to increase Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision for Island children launches Friday 2 May 2025.
We are asking communities to share their views on proposals, the key aim of the proposed programme is to provide specialist education placement for additional children from September 2025 and beyond.
The proposals continue to support the Island’s education strategy — an overarching masterplan to transform the school system from one that has consistently underperformed compared to national trends, to one that is recognised nationally for the quality of its education.
The consultation runs from today (Friday 2 May) until Monday 9 June 2025 and all Island residents’ input is welcomed.
Why is this happening?
The proposed additional specialist SEND provision will help manage an increase in the number of children with SEND, including those requiring an education health and care plan (EHCP) for their needs to be met, and ensure we are able to meet the needs of children requiring specialist provision.
The consultation
The consultation seeks to expand specialist SEND provision at the following places:
- Expansion of places at Medina House School from 138 places to 168, with 30 places being provided at a satellite specialist SEND provision located at the site of the former Chillerton & Rookley Primary School, Chillerton IOW.
- Expansion of the resourced specialist SEND provision at Hunnyhill Primary School from 8 places to 12 places for children for Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
- Expansion of the resourced specialist SEND provision at Brading CE Primary School from 8 places to 12 places for children with Autism Spectrum (AS) and/or Complex Learning.
- Expansion of the resourced specialist SEND provision at The Bay CE School (Secondary site) from 15 places to 20 places for children with Autism Spectrum (AS).
- Expansion of Lionheart School from 60 places to 120 places, with 60 places for children with complex high anxiety mental health (Non- EHCP/Section 19 children) being provided at the Cowes Primary School site, Cowes (subject to closure on the 31/8/2025).
- Expansion of St Georges School from 208 places to 228 places, with 40 places being provided at the satellite site located in East Cowes.
- Creation of a new 12 place primary resourced specialist SEND provision at Brighstone CE Primary School for children with Autism Spectrum (AS) and/or Speech Language Communication Need (SLCN).
How can I comment?
It is important that we hear your views on the proposals.
You can share your views by contacting us;
- Via Email: strategic.planning@iow.gov.uk
- Or via Post: Jade Kennett, Service manager – Strategic Development, County Hall, Newport IOW PO30 1UD.
- For further information please visit Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Contact Information
Marie Woodward
Isle of Wight Council
01983821000
marie.woodward@iow.gov.uk
