Proposed Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools - Consultations

As part of the endorsement of the Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools the Education Minister also endorsed the associated Specialist Provision in Mainstream Pilot.

Consistent with the Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools and the Special Education Strategic Area Plan 2022-27: Planning for Special Education Provision, and, through the associated Operational Plan 1: 2022-24, a number of short and medium term workstreams for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools were identified.  

The priorities within Operational Plan 1: 2022-24 are to ensure that there is sufficient capacity as well as seeking to address geographical, sectoral and linguistic inconsistencies, however, there still exists Special Educational Needs pressures and demand for places, as evidenced in September 2022, and also projected for September 2023. Therefore, the Area Planning Team will continue to work with the Special Educational Needs Placements Team to ensure that in establishing Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools that these are considered as part of a robust consultation process under the new agile and flexible arrangements for establishing, changing and/or closing Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools. 

As a new process for establishing, changing or closing Specialist Provision in Mainstream (SPiMS) classes was agreed by the Minister in October 2021, the Education Authority has taken forward a number of consultations over the last two years as part of the new process (ie without the need for a Development Proposal) and retaining a robust consultation process.

It is planned that the consultation to establish, close or change specialist provision in mainstream schools will dovetail with the Education Authority’s Annual Plan of Arrangements when it comes fully into effect as part of the implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2016) and Code of Practice.

In working towards meeting the demand for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools, the Education Authority wishes to engage with the governors, staff, pupils and parents of the identified schools and to consult on the formal approval of Specialist Provision in Mainstream classes in the schools below.

A paper outlining the proposal as well as an assessment of the school is provided below.  The individual school paper should be read in conjunction with the ‘Overview’ document which provides background to Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools.