A senior councillor has apologised for distress caused by proposals to move children from their school 14 miles across Liverpool.
As part of its plans to meet the “dramatic increase” in need for school places, Liverpool Council had suggested Bank View School on Long Lane in Fazakerley should relocate to the other side of the city to Parklands in Speke. Following a lengthy consultation this summer, the local authority has amended its plans and will now recommend the creation of a satellite site on the Speke grounds when its cabinet meets on Friday.
Cllr Tom Logan, cabinet member for education and skills, took to social media to acknowledge how “distressing” changes could be for families and hoped changes made to the plans would be well received. He said: “On Friday I will be bringing a report to Cabinet regarding plans to radically increase the capacity of our maintained special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.
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“I am very aware of how distressing changes can be for families - and such, I believe carers will be pleased with the progress. These proposals come off the back of non-statutory consultation that many stakeholders, including parents and carers, gave up their time to take part in. For this - we are extremely grateful.
“Especially because of the distress caused. A massive thank you to everyone involved.”
A report in Spring said more than 4,000 children in Liverpool have educational health care plans (EHCPs), an increase of 46% since 2019. The assessment of the consultation said parental feedback was “strongly against moving pupils” from Bank View to Speke “if it meant travelling times would increase.”
The public consultation had also asked for feedback moving Princes School on Selborne Street to Redbridge High School on Long Lane, while Redbridge would move into Bank View as they occupy the same site. However, with Bank View expected to remain where it is, Redbridge will also not relocate.
In order to provide additional places for pupils with severe learning difficulty or profound and multiple learning difficulties it is now being proposed that part of the former Palmerston School in Aigburth should reopen. Cllr Logan tweeted: “I am completely aware that many parents were angered by the previous proposals.
“Those proposals were also formed from consultation, but - in hindsight - it is clear that the new plans will work better for everyone. We have listened and amended plans accordingly.
“We apologise for any distress caused by the previous consultation. I am really hopeful that we can all move forward together and continue to develop the SEND provision we have in Liverpool.
“Huge thank you to everyone who took the time to put opinions and feelings forward.”
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