Dear Parents and carers
I am writing to you to seek your views on a potentially important development for our primary school. This is a formal consultation, and we are actively seeking your views on this matter. The consultation will run from Friday 14th February 2025 up to and including Monday 10th March 2025.
Background
As you may be aware, Hatch joined the Academies for Character and Excellence in January 2024. Since that time we have been working hard to ensure that our school has a strong future at the heart of the Hatch community.
Over the last few years, the number of primary-school aged children across Somerset has been falling. This has meant that almost all primary schools - including Hatch - have seen the number of pupils fall. This reduces the amount of money that a school receives from government which can be particularly challenging for small schools such as our own.
I am pleased to say that the number of children in Hatch has increased since the beginning of the academic year. However, we need to take further opportunities to grow our pupil roll to ensure we can continue to provide an exceptional education for all our children moving forward.
Proposal
We currently have 26 pupils in the school, spread across two class rooms. We have a third ‘classroom’ that is currently used as the school hall and dining area, but does not have children in for the majority of the school day.
With this in mind, we have been approached by Somerset Council to explore whether the school could develop some specialist provision in the spare classroom. The provision would be primarily focused on meeting the needs of children diagnosed with mild to moderate Autistic Spectrum Condition in an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan). This would be run as a separate teaching unit outside of our current class structure.
The new class will have a small number of pupils aged 7-11, starting with around four children in September 2025 and potentially growing over time to a maximum of six to eight. We anticipate that children will join mainstream pupils for activities like assembly, sports day and play times, but during lesson time would primarily be taught in the separate class, with specialist teachers skilled in supporting pupils with special educational needs.
This is a potentially exciting development for the school. As well as enabling local children that require specialist support to remain in their local area, it will secure important investment and funding for the school moving forward.
Getting your views
We recognise that you may have questions or views about the proposal and are keen to hear from you. I will therefore be available to meet with parents individually to discuss the proposal and answer any questions on the following dates – no appointment is necessary:
· Monday 24th February 8.30am – 9.30am
· Wednesday 26th February 3pm to 4.00pm
· Friday 28th February – 3pm to 4.30pm
· Monday 3rd March – 8.30am to 9.30am
If none of these times are convenient, please contact the school office and we will arrange a different time to meet.
Alternatively, you can also ask questions and let us know your views through the online consultation at: https://forms.office.com/e/vDNfKa5Unc. We will acknowledge and respond to all feedback.
Many thanks for your ongoing support.
Emma Johns Cheryl Weyman
Headteacher Trust Leader and CEO
Hatch Beauchamp Primary School Academies for Character & Excellence
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