The proposal
Ark Little Ridge consistently delivers an excellent education to all our pupils, including those in the SLCN provision. However, the needs of pupils both in our unit and in the local area are changing. We are seeing an increase in the number of pupils requiring specialist support for autism, and a decline in pupils with SLCN. This change has been acknowledged by the Local Authority who we work closely with, when admitting pupils into the unit.
The Local Authority need specialist places for pupils with autism. Unfortunately, Ark Little Ridge lacks the necessary space to create an autism specific environment. The current SLCN classrooms are too small to accommodate the sensory, calm and breakout spaces required for such provision, and there are no suitable alternatives on site.
Therefore, Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy, in partnership with East Sussex County Council (ESCC), is consulting on a revised admissions policy and the phased closure of the SLCN provision.
Ark Little Ridge is consulting on:
- Varying the admissions policy to no longer admit children into the SLCN designated provision.
- Closing the SLCN provision from September 2027.
The proposed closure won’t affect pupils in the unit in years 5 and 6 as they will naturally move onto secondary school during this period. As younger pupils move through the school, their needs will be reviewed. If Little Ridge, ESCC, and parents/carers, agree that a mainstream learning is appropriate, support will be provided for them to remain at Little Ridge. If not, we will work together to find a different, more suitable provision for your child.
This proposal does not mean that pupils with speech, language and communication needs cannot attend Ark Little Ridge. We will continue to welcome and support pupils with a wide range of SEND, including SLCN and autism, within our mainstream provision. We will also continue working closely with ESCC to support SEND learners in our community.
The consultation will run from Friday 5th June until Friday 26th June 2026.
Please refer to the FAQs below for further information on this consultation. We welcome your comments via the consultation response form below. Paper response forms are also available from reception.
At the end of the consultation, we will produce a report and submit it to the Department for Education (DfE), who will make the final decision. We expect a decision in the autumn term.
FAQs
How long will the consultation last and who will make the decision?
The consultation will last three weeks, from Friday 5th June to Friday 26th June 2026.
After the consultation, we will review all responses and produce a report. This will be submitted to the Department for Education (DfE), who will make the final decision. We expect a decision by the autumn term.
Will the SLCN provision close in September 2026?
No, there will be a phasing out of the SLCN provision rather than an immediate closure. This will ensure that there will be limited disruption to current children, who will continue to receive the same level of care and support they currently do.
We are proposing a September 2027 closure so that we have enough time to work with families and East Sussex County Council in order to find the best environment for our learners.
What will happen to the children currently in the SLCN provision when it closes in September 2027?
Pupils in Years 5 and 6 are expected to move on to secondary school during this period.
As younger pupils move through the school, their needs will be reviewed as part of transition planning. If the school, ESCC and parents/carers agree that a pupil can access mainstream education at Little Ridge, we will ensure appropriate support is in place.
If mainstream provision is not considered suitable, we will work with families and ESCC to identify an appropriate alternative placement.
Ahead of this consultation, and subject to the final decision, we have agreed with the Local Authority to pause new admissions to the provision.
Where else could my child access an SLCN provision after Little Ridge’s closes?
Information about available services can be found through East Sussex County Council’s Local Offer:
https://localoffer.eastsussex.gov.uk/
Is the provision being closed because the school want to spend money elsewhere?
No. This proposal is not about reducing costs.
If the provision closes, funding will be redistributed by ESCC to support other specialist SEND provision across the local authority. The proposal reflects changing local need, not financial priorities. Ark Little Ridge is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment, and the decision to close the provision has been taken solely because ESCC no longer require the Speech & Language unit to continue in its current form.
Why can’t the SLCN provision continue at Little Ridge and an autism provision be provided elsewhere?
Specialist provision across East Sussex is commissioned by the Local Authority. ESCC have identified that the SLCN provision at Little Ridge is no longer required in its current form due to changing patterns of need.
Will children with SEND still be able to attend Little Ridge?
Yes. Little Ridge will continue to be an inclusive school.
We will continue to welcome and support pupils with a wide range of needs, including SLCN and autism, within our mainstream provision. Support will be provided in line with individual needs, including EHCPs where applicable.
What happens if the DfE do not agree to close the SLCN provision?
If the proposal is not approved, Little Ridge will continue to provide for pupils with SLCN.
We would then work with ESCC to determine how the provision should operate in the future, based on local need.
Response form
Forms must be submitted by Friday 26th June 2026.