By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay
The expansion of a special needs school in Ramsgate has been welcomed as a “no-brainer”- but it will still remain oversubscribed by a fifth of its official new capacity.
Kent County Council (KCC) discussed plans to permanently increase the number of students at Laleham Gap School by 20 places.
Members of the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) cabinet committee at County Hall endorsed the proposals, saying it would help ease current pressures.
From September, the school’s roll will increase from 188 to 208 commissioned places after two offices are “repurposed, redecorated and reconfigured” to create the extra capacity.
But despite increasing the school’s official capacity, the new level will still be 45 places lower than the number currently attending the school, which stands at 253.
This means the school will be operating at 21.6% above its official new capacity.
Laleham Gap specialises in communication and interaction with a pupil range of four to 18, with most students diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Trudy Dean said: “This is one of the no-brainer proposals and I am happy to consider and endorse the recommendation that the increase in numbers should proceed.”
Rob Veale, assistant director of education at KCC, told the committee: “The number on the roll is 253 at the current time and it’s been discussed ad infinitum that the pressure on school places at special schools is something we are trying to address.
“This is a welcome alleviation with these two new classrooms. It will go some way to ease the pressures on the school, but we can’t wave a magic wand because of the demand.”
In the most recent Ofsted report for Laleham Gap in April 2023, it was judged to be “outstanding” for its overall effectiveness.
The cost of the conversion has been met by the school itself.
Reform UK Cllr Trevor Shonk said: “These special schools are much needed in Thanet – it’s good for parents and it’s good for the pupils.”
Mr Veale explained that most of its students are in the Thanet catchment area but some do travel in from further afield.
Asked by Liberal Democrat Paul Stepto if the extra places would relieve pressure on the public purse, Mr Veale said: “The more capacity we can add at our maintained and academy sector, then there are fewer pupils going to more costly independent placements.”
KCC papers revealed the increased capacity would “not change the delivery of education within the school”.
It has not set out a detailed long-term strategy for reducing oversubscription levels at Laleham Gap, pressures on staff levels, resources, transport provision or space within the school.
However, it notes the official attendance number is likely to fluctuate around the commissioned number of places now set by the authority.
