Littlecoates SEND provision gets off the ground

TWELVE new specialist primary school places for children with communication and interaction needs have been created in Grimsby for the first time.

Launchpad – the first school specialist provision of its type in North East Lincolnshire – is designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6).

The new provision is being delivered by Littlecoates Primary Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, and is the result of a partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.

The provision formally launched on Friday morning, with 12 new students taking up their places at the school.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the provision, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“This provision is the result of some real innovative work between the Council and Wellspring Academy Trust.

“Our priority here is to ensure that children who might need a little extra help, get that help, and are eventually able to return to mainstream schooling.

“This type of support is in real demand here in North East Lincolnshire, so I’m really pleased that we have managed to get this off the ground and running, and it’s going to be great to see students getting started in September.

“I’d like to thank Wellspring Academy Trust for working with us to make this happen, and I’d like to wish those students attending Launchpad the very best of luck for the forthcoming year of their education.”

Neville Wilkinson, Principal at Littlecoates Primary, said:

“Our new Launchpad provision will offer 12 pupils with SEND the specialist support and teaching to enable them to stay in mainstream education and attend school in their local area. At Littlecoates, we pride ourselves on our welcoming, inclusive approach and are incredibly proud to be able to support children with a wide range of needs. By working together with North East Lincolnshire Council, we have been able to create something that will make a huge difference to the lives of 12 children and their families. We’re looking forward to watching the progress of the first pupils to benefit from this important resource over the coming months and years.”

Admissions to the new provision have been managed by North East Lincolnshire SEND team, in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) via annual reviews of EHCPs.

This article was originally published on North East Lincolnshire Council’s news page.

Littlecoates SEND provision gets off the ground | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk)