A new Enhanced Resource Facility (ERF) to provide specialist education for children with communication and interaction needs, such as autism, is being created and another existing facility extended at two Spondon primary schools.
The two schools, both part of Odyssey Collaborative Trust, will provide nearly 50 additional spaces for children who need extra educational support.
At Borrow Wood Primary School in Arundel Drive, £385,000 is being spent to refurbish a building on the site to provide a new ERF with 16 places and is due to open at Easter.
Springfield Primary School in West Road opened its first ERF 10 years ago and demand for places soared. It now caters for 41 pupils and is at capacity. It has received £1.85m to create a new building on the site so it can provide places for a further 30 children, bringing the total to around 70. The new building is planned to be ready during the 2025/26 academic year.
Ian Dewes, Chief Executive of Odyssey Collaborative Trust, said: “In Derby, and indeed across the country, demand for specialist places within mainstream schools has increased dramatically. We have seen this at our existing ERF at Springfield Primary School, which opened 10 years ago with the intention of increasing spaces up to a maximum of 12 and now as 39 children registered.
“We are committed to supporting children to thrive which is why we are pleased to be able to expand the number of spaces Derby has available. It will allow us to provide a calm environment and the right support for children for whom a full-time mainstream place is not suitable.”
Placements in ERFs are allocated by Derby City Council, not Odyssey Collaborative Trust.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said: “Derby City Council wants Derby’s young people with SEND achieve their potential, and we’re committed to ensuring they and their families receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
“ERFs allow children to access the mainstream curriculum and participate in a wide range of opportunities within an inclusive environment, while receiving tailored support that addresses their unique needs. By increasing the number of places available in ERFs, we aim to enable more children to attend school within their local community, fostering strong family and social connections while receiving the necessary support to thrive.”
This story was written by Kirsty Green of Penguin PR on behalf of Odyssey Collaborative Trust. If you would like support with your PR, get in touch!
