(UK) Pembrokeshire: "Increase in learners that require specialist provision"

Mar 20, 2022, Western Telegraph: Pembrokeshire County Council's consultation on Portfield https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/20006775.pembrokeshire-county-councils-consultation-portfield/

SW England

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council is consulting on a proposal to increase the number of places available at Portfield School in Haverfordwest, as part of the Council’s 21st Century Schools Programme (Sustainable Communities for Learning).

Portfield School provides education for pupils between three and 19 years of age who have statements of special educational needs.

It caters for pupils with a range of special educational needs, including severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder, as well as various genetic disorders, physical and sensory impairments.

The school serves the whole of Pembrokeshire with some pupils coming from neighbouring local authorities. At present there are 168 pupils on the roll.

Steven Richards-Downes, director of education, said the council places a great deal of importance on educating the most vulnerable learners in the community.

“It is not just the increase in the number of learners that require specialist provision that are causing admission pressures, it is also the increase in the complexities of their needs.

“Based on information from health visitors and demand in early years for specialist pre-school placements, it is predicted that the number of pupils with complex needs will continue to grow.”…