(UK) Bath: School to add special needs unit

Sept 12, 2025, Bath Echo: Controversy over special unit planned at Combe Down school 

https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/education/controversy-special-unit-combe-down-school-113043 

A new resource base is being planned in the grounds of a Bath school to support pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

A planning application has been submitted for the new single-storey stand-alone unit next to Mulberry Park Educate Together Primary Academy, following a local consultation over the summer during which some concerns were raised.

Under Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposals, Mulberry Park, which opened in 2018, will remain a 210-place primary school, with the new facility providing 10 pupils from the existing mainstream school with extra support. . . .

Although there will be no increase in pupil numbers at the school, there will be up three full-time equivalent additional staff, but the report says there will be no significant impact on parking arrangements.

A feedback analysis report submitted with the planning application says a public open event held on 16th July was attended by just five people – three parents, a local resident and a member of staff from the school. . . .

It adds: “This additional accommodation will enable Mulberry Park to open a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) resource base. Resource bases are for children and young people with special educational needs and an EHCP who will attend mainstream school and receive additional specialist support at a resource base.

“The resource base will support children whose primary need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). The provision of additional resource base placements at mainstream schools meets the wishes of families in B&NES who have told us that they and their children want to be able to access education in their local community whenever possible.

“This project will deliver for children and young people, their parents and carers while meeting climate and environmental aspirations by reducing travel and transport for out-of-area school provision and specialist services.”