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• Headteacher Letter

  Tue 19 Nov 2024

  19 November 2024                 

   

  Dear Parents and Carers 

   

  I hope that this letter finds you, your friends and family in good health.

   

  In my previous letters I have informed you of Kent’s Special School Review, Special School consultation and the potential impact for Laleham Gap school in the future.

   

  The most significant issue is KCC’s proposal to change our designation from a Communication and Interaction school to a Neurodivergent with Learning Difficulties school. The new designation description is like that of Bradstow and Stone Bay schools. Also proposed is a change of Stone Bay to an identical designation as Foreland Field school. My view is that these proposals are illogical and do not take account of Thanet’s circumstances.

   

  I cannot over state that there is no need for anxiety or concern for our current practice. These changes are proposed for gradual implementation starting from September 2026. My concern is for the long term and for meeting the needs of the most complex SEND children of Thanet and East Kent.

   

  There is a Children’s Young People and Education Cabinet Committee meeting on Thursday 21 November 2024 at 2pm. This is where the decision will be made. You can use this link to access the agenda and papers relating to this meeting https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=894&MId=9492&Ver=4

   

  I would like to draw your attention the supplement document items 6, 10 and 12, in particular pages 77-250.

   

  I am most concerned about the following points:

   

  • The consultation feedback of 1345 responses show that 72% of respondents disagree with the proposed designation and admissions guidance
  • 71% of education professionals disagree with the proposed designation and admissions guidance.
  • 89% of responses completed on behalf of Special schools disagree with the proposed designation and admissions guidance
  • The proposal has no financial modelling
  • There is no data on pupil need
  • There are no projections for future pupil need

   

  If the cabinet agree these proposals on Thursday, there is likely to be a formal consultation and representation period which will run for 4 weeks in January. If these proposals are agreed, I will be writing to you again to seek your support and collaboration on how we can best support the most complex SEND children and young people in Thanet and East Kent.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Les Milton

  Headteacher

• Headteacher Letter

  Tue 05 Nov 2024

  5 November 2024   

                

  Dear Parents and Carers 

   

  I hope that this letter finds you, your friends and family in good health and that you had an enjoyable holiday last week.

   

  Our next Parent Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday, 13th November at 9.00am, in the TISS Building. During this session, we will discuss how the school can further enhance support and communication with parents. We will start with a brief celebration of our current improvements before introducing the parent engagement award we are pursuing. We would welcome your feedback on how the school can better support parents in areas such as training, signposting of support, and communication to benefit all families in our community. If you would like to be part of this discussion or are interested in working with the school at a strategic level, please come along to find out more.

   

  Next week, there are several national events taking place that the school will be participating in, including Anti-Bullying Week. Our Student Council is taking the lead on this and will be holding a meeting today (Tuesday, 5th November) to discuss how we will take part in these events. Additional information will be shared with parents following the School Council meeting.

   

  The events being discussed are:

   

  • Monday, 11th November - Remembrance Day
  • Tuesday, 12th November - Anti-Bullying Week Odd Socks Day
  • Wednesday, 13th and Thursday, 14th November - Anti-Bullying Week Awareness
  • Friday, 15th November - Children in Need

   

  Our Year 10 and 11 pupils will be taking their GCSE mock exams over the next two weeks.  This is a great opportunity for pupils to experience exam conditions ahead of their actual exams next Summer.  We wish them the best of luck and every success.

   

  Yr11 Parents evening is on Monday 9^th December 2024. An invitation letter and arrangements will be sent to you in the next couple of weeks.

   

  The Kent County Council Special School review outcomes will be shared this month. I will write to you again sharing the outcomes and any proposed changes as soon as possible.

   

  Best wishes

  Les Milton

  Headteacher