BCP Council funding delivers two new SLCN facilities
In partnership with TEACH, the council has funded the project to deliver more classrooms to help meet the need for more special school places in the area
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has announced that an investment has officially opened two new bases at Canford Heath Infant and Junior School for pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) this month.
As of the end of February, schools run by The Educational Alliance of Canford Heath (TEACH) in Poole only had 35 spaces available for children aged between four and 11 who require extra support.
In partnership with TEACH, the council has funded the project to deliver more classrooms to help meet the need for more special school places in the area.
As a result, children with SLCN placed at Canford Heath will now have access to a dedicated speech and language therapist to support their learning, as well as the opportunity to interact with children in mainstream education – in accordance with the government’s inclusion agenda for children with SEND.
Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council portfolio holder for children and young people, said: “Every child deserves the best chances to learn in life and so this is welcome. It ensures our ambition to create sufficient special school places for children in BCP takes another step forward.
“The base means that more children with SLCN can be educated in their communities with their friends, reducing the disruption to their lives. As a council, we are committed to ensuring we have sufficient schooling opportunities for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.”
Kate Carter, chief executive of TEACH Poole, added: “This is more than just another opening of some bricks and mortar. Speech, language and communication are the bedrock of learning, social interaction and emotional well-being. When children struggle to communicate, it affects every aspect of their lives.
“These bases will have a long lasting and crucial impact on the lives of many, many children, who will, with lots of hard work, therapy and support, move into adulthood being emotionally well, socially skilled and able to communicate who they are to the world.”