Consultation

Proposal

This consultation is being undertaken to advise you of proposals concerning St Gabriel’s CofE Academy and to invite you to tell us what you think of the proposals. This is part of a statutory consultation process that Messenger Education Trust (which runs St Gabriel’s CofE Academy) is managing in partnership with Warwickshire County Council. The proposal is:

To establish an 8-place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy for children with communication and interaction (C&I) needs

Consultation period – Wednesday 12th November - Wednesday 10th December

The Consultation is now Open.

Respond

Background

In order to meet forecast demand and build on the local offer of specialist provision the local authority is continuing the development of SRP’s across the county whereby pupils can have their needs met and benefit from being located within a mainstream school environment. Warwickshire offers two types of Specialist Resourced Provisions - Communication and Interaction (C&I) for children with communication and interaction needs including autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN): and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). Growth and investment continues to be focused on developing SRP’s for pupils with C&I and SEMH needs. The demand for this type of provision is expected to continue to rise.

Warwickshire has twenty-four SRP’s with a focus on C&I connected to mainstream primary schools; with ten in North Warwickshire (Atherstone, Nuneaton and Bedworth), five in East Warwickshire (Rugby), and nine in South Warwickshire (Warwick, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon and Shipston).

Rationale

Why are the Trustees and Warwickshire County Council proposing this?

Warwickshire County Council have identified a need to expand SRP’s across the county, which offers a bridge between mainstream and specialist provision. These are based in local schools to support local need. The eastern area of Warwickshire has a need for more SRP’s with none currently located within the Rugby rural and East consortium of schools. This proposal should help drive down the need for pupils to rely on transport to access specialist placements.

The SRP at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy will support pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) whose primary needs are Communication & Interaction.

These pupils will benefit from accessing education at a mainstream primary school through a flexible approach, tailored to meet their needs.

FAQs

What is Specialist Resourced Provision?

Specialist Resourced Provision allows children to attend mainstream school whilst having access to specialist teaching staff and a tailored environment. An SRP gives children and young people who are finding it difficult in mainstream schools additional support to enable them to achieve positive outcomes. Children that attend an SRP will have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

A place in SRP is agreed by Warwickshire County Council, High Needs Provision Panel.

Warwickshire offers two types of Specialist Resourced Provisions - Communication and Interaction (C&I) for children with communication and interaction needs including autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN): and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

How do they work?

A Specialist Resourced Provision is located within a school site and provides a bespoke environment to support children with learning. The time children and young people spend in mainstream classes depends on their individual needs. For some, short amounts of time on a specific activity with support may be appropriate. Others may benefit from participating in one or more areas of the curriculum for increasing periods of time. In an SRP, children and young people have access to different resources. Some of the things offered may include specialist teaching staff, smaller groups, adapted physical space and speech and language therapy.

What impact will this provision have on the education of the children currently at the school?

The aim is that this provision will enhance the already strong educational experience for pupils currently at the school. Additional staff will be employed with expertise and specialist knowledge to further benefit all pupils. The internal learning environment will incorporate physical modifications to better support all children at the school. The SRP will allow support to be offered more efficiently, facilitating the smooth operation of the school.

How will the SRP be accommodated in the school?

The proposal is to repurpose the current small hall space, which (with the ongoing growth of the school) has become underutilised as now most activities requiring a larger space take place in the main hall. The small hall will be converted to create a bespoke learning environment with an additional entrance located next to the main offices. The new SRP space will provide a purposeful learning environment for this cohort of learners with easy access to integrate to other parts of the school.

How will this SRP work?

The proposed SRP at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy would support primary aged pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan whose primary needs are Communication & Interaction. These pupils will benefit from accessing education at a mainstream primary school through a flexible approach, tailored to meet their needs. Specialist staff will support pupils in the SRP and seek meaningful integration with the main school.

Admission and Pupil Numbers

The SRP will be an 8-place provision. Admissions to the SRP follow a different procedure from that operating for the rest of the school. Admissions will be authorised via the Warwickshire County Council High Needs Provision Panel. The establishment of the SRP will not impact on the school’s current total mainstream capacity of 420 across Reception to Year 6.

How will the provision be funded?

Warwickshire County Council cabinet have approved capital funding to create the SRP. Additional revenue funding to run and manage the provision will be provided by Warwickshire County Council through their higher needs block funding. There will not be a negative financial impact on the school for running the provision.

What is the proposed timetable?

Summer 2025: The County Council’s Cabinet gave approval for the capital expenditure required to support the project.
12th November – 10th December 2025: A 4-week consultation with stakeholders to take into account the views expressed regarding the proposals.
January 2026: Following consultation, Messenger Education Trust to submit application to the Department for Education for the addition of an SRP on site at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy.
Summer 2026: building work to adapt the space for the SRP.
September 2026: SRP to open.

Respond…

As an integral part of the process of establishing an SRP, we are inviting you to take part in this consultation. We welcome your views and all viewpoints will be taken into account. Following the end of the consultation, questions, themes and main points of feedback will be published and this may include anonymised quotes of comments.

This consultation is seeking your response to the question – Do you support the establishment of an SRP at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy to open in September 2026? and Why?

Feedback can be given in the following ways:

Online: Specialist Resource Provision Consultation – Fill out form
By Email: Consultation@stgabrielscofeacademy.org
In writing: Titled ‘Consultation Response’ posted to: St Gabriel’s CofE Academy, Houlton Way, Houlton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 1AN

The closing date for responses is 10th December 2025.