Children with EHCP Capacity

For these schools:

- Gosberton House Academy

- Boston Endeavour Academy

- Tulip Academy, Spalding

- Meadowgate Special School, Wisbech

- Eresby School, Spilsby

- Willoughby Academy, Bourne

This question relates to the number of Lincolnshire based children with EHCPs that are schooled within a different county jurisdiction to meet the needs of the child. If this could be broken down into primary school age groups that would be helpful.
 



Can you answer:



1) What is the school's officially commissioned capacity, including the precise number of places funded by the LA



2) What is the physical capacity listed in the SCAP survey, and what capacity did you report to the Department for Education (DfE).



3) How many pupils are currently on the school roll for this/the last academic year?



4) How many times has the school exceeded its commissioned number?



4a) Please provide a year-by-year breakdown of numbers over the past 3 years.



5) Have any over-capacity placements been made this/last academic year?



6) Were past over-capacity placements directed by a SEND Tribunal?



6a) If so, were all of these legally mandated or were any voluntarily taken.



7) What specific evidence shows that one more pupil will cause harm?



8) What are the current/last academic year pupil-to-staff ratios in the proposed class?



8a) Do these ratio's meet the school's safety and learning policies.



9) Are there physical space constraints in that specific peer group?



10) Does the physical classroom size strictly block an extra desk.



11) How many children in the proposed class have similar needs?



12) What high-needs capital funding has been given to expand space?



12a) Has the school received funds to adapt classrooms in the past?



12b) Has this been considered?



13) What alternative specialist provision can fully meet the EHCP?



14) How many out of county placements are currently funded?

1) https://data.lincolnshire.gov.uk/@childrens-services/school-pupils-number-on-roll This is publicly available data. Does not include Meadowgate Special School, Wisbech as this is outside of Lincolnshire. Any other data may need to be requested via the schools directly.

2) https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity/2024-25/explore#content This is publicly available data. Any further data is restricted and would need to be requested either directly to the DfE or schools themselves.

3)

https://data.lincolnshire.gov.uk/@childrens-services/school-pupils-number-on-roll Does not include Meadowgate Special School, Wisbech as this is outside of Lincolnshire. Any other data may need to be requested via the schools directly.

4) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

4a) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

5) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

6) Tribunal directions have, in the past, placed additional pressure on schools, particularly where specific classes or groups of pupils have been affected. As a result, the impact can extend beyond the individual case and place additional operational and organisational pressures on the wider school.

6a) directions may be issued notwithstanding the school’s attendance and participation in support of an appeal, as such directions are mandatory and must be complied with by the relevant parties.

7) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

8) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

8a) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

9) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

10) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

11) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

12) Between 2019 and 2024, LCC utilised its High Needs Capital Allocation to expand the special school estate by 527 places, making significant improvements to special school facilities. This was supported by significant investment from Council funds, with the combined allocation totalling £101m. This capital programme included relocating the former Boston John Fielding School to create Boston Endeavour Academy, expanding Lincoln St Christophers School across 2 sites and rebuilding Horncastle St Lawrence School.

Specific funding from DfE High Needs Capital allocation for the schools referenced in this request were:

12a) See answer above (12).

In addition, Willoughby Academy and The Eresby School received further capital allocations for classroom adaptations to create additional special school places:

Eresby School – conversion of a STEM room to generic classroom created a further 8 places

Willoughby Academy – improvements to 3 1st floor classrooms to improve accessibility for non-ambulant pupils.

12b) All Lincolnshire special schools (maintained and academy) are regularly reviewed by the Local Authority to consider more effective use of space, with a view to increasing capacity. Where accommodation is identified, LCC is committed to supporting capital projects through the High Needs Capital Allocation to increase special school capacity.

13) We recommend that this question is directed to the academies in the first instance, as they should hold the relevant information and be best placed to provide a response. The Local Authority does not hold this information and is therefore unable to provide the requested details.

14) 425 SEND placements in Independent Non-Maintained (special) Schools.