Consultations

Consultation on Lancaster Academy - SEN Unit & building remodelling

Learning without Limits Academy Trust have launched a consultation regarding the introduction of an SEN Unit at Lancaster Academy, Knighton Lane East, Leicester LE2 6FU. The Trust Board have proposed we introduce a Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit with the following:

1. Designation of Communication and Interaction
2. Planned admission number (PAN) = 20
3. Remodelling of existing offices/social space to create SEN Unit

SEN units are special provisions within a mainstream school where the children are taught mainly within separate classes. SEN Units:

• receive additional funding from the local authority specifically for the purpose of
the provision.
• cater for a specific type or types of SEN (e.g. autistic spectrum disorders)
• are usually for pupils with statements or those with EHC plans (but could include
pupils with SEN but without a statement or plan)

In recent times the Local Authority has increased its capacity to meet the needs of SEND students by opening a number of new primary phase SEN Units and Resourced Provisions. In order to now meet those demands as students transition from primary to secondary phase the Local Authority has requested that Lancaster Academy make the changes as outlined above.

It is important to the Learning without Limits Trust Board, and to the Local Governing Body of Lancaster Academy, to consider the views of our parents and the wider community. If you would like to contribute to the consultation, please complete the online form. Alternatively, you can request a paper copy from Reception at Lancaster Academy.

Proposed Timeline:

Consultation Opens - Monday 25^th November 2024

Consultation Closes - Monday 23^rd December 2024

Consultation responses considered - January 2025

Project Feasibility Study - January 2025
Significant Change Request submitted to DfE - February 2025
Remodelling - Summer 2025
SEN Unit open to students - August 2025

We will publish the final arrangements and the results of our consultation in due course.

Consultation on LwLAT Admissions Arrangements for 2025/26

We invite you to share your views on our consultation of 2025 – 26 admissions arrangements for each of the Trust’s five academies. The consultation period will run from 21 November 2023 until 9 January 2024; during this time, parents and other key stakeholders are invited to express their views and any concerns about the proposed admission arrangements.

In accordance with the DfE’s 2021 statutory School Admissions Code guidance, as the Admissions Authority the Trust must consult on its academies’ admission arrangements when changes are proposed, and at least once every seven years. For this reason, a consultation is currently being held to meet the statutory duty.

Below is a brief outline of the proposed amendments which have been made to all of the academies admission arrangements plus changes specific to individual academies. A copy of the full proposed admissions arrangements are attached to this page.

Summary of proposed amendments to all LwLAT academy’s admission arrangements

A revised Admission Policy which provides a clearer overview of arrangements and uses definitions which are in line with the School Admissions Code 2021.
The combining of several categories within the oversubscription criteria set out within the Admission Policy which aligns with the School Admissions Code 2021.
The introduction of a form to capture only relevant information for exceptional medical and social needs.

Summary of changes to individual academy admission arrangements:

Babington Academy

Increase in PAN from 210 to 240.
Introduction of a Unit Provision which accepts students from all secondary age year groups.

South Wigston High School

Increase in PAN from 175 to 180
Alignment of oversubscription criteria to give clarity and match other LwLAT academies.

In accordance with statutory DfE guidance, the consultation must run for a minimum of at least six calendar weeks, however, due to the consultation period being held over the Christmas period, it will run for an additional seventh week. As an interested party, we are keen to hear your views on the proposed changes; therefore, we invite you to participate in the consultation if you have any concerns regarding the matter.

Responses to the consultation should be submitted before 5pm on 9 January 2024.