CHILDREN with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who previously struggled with education are now ’thriving’ thanks to a special dedicated space at a Rugby primary school.
Staff at Boughton Leigh Junior School say The Launchpad – a dedicated Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) space at the school – has made a massive difference to pupils with SEND.
The Launchpad, established six years ago with funding from Warwickshire County Council (WCC), provides specialist support to pupils struggling to engage in classrooms.
It features sensory areas and equipment to create a sense of calm, and a well-equipped outdoor space.
Charlotte Campbell, a Specialist Teacher at Boughton Leigh Junior, said: “Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who have previously struggled to access the curriculum in a mainstream setting, and in some instances children who have been unable to attend school due to emotional or anxiety-related absence, are now thriving at The Launchpad.
“The current cohort all attend for five days a week and access a personalised curriculum adapted to suit their needs.
“We ensure all children have the option to visit their mainstream classes with support from our specialist staff and provide regular opportunities to ensure children feel part of the whole school community.”
WCC education spokeswoman Coun Kam Kaur said The Launchpad was a ‘shining example’ of the type of inclusive provision the council wanted to expand across the county.
She added: “Increasing the number of places we can offer in SRPs will give more children and young people the chance to access the specialist support they need while remaining in a familiar environment and within their local community.
“As well as ensuring the curriculum is accessible through a tailored approach, this provides them with important opportunities to develop their social skills, maintain relationships with their peers and better equip them for a bright and fulfilling future.”
By 2028, WCC aims to increase the number of SRP places from the current 176 to over 500.
Visit https://youtu.be/wyXeWNq2mNE to watch a short film about a typical day at The Launchpad.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/hzz25cds for a full list of the current resourced provisions in Warwickshire.
Visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/send for more on SEND support in Warwickshire.
