A school for boys with complex and special educational needs is to take on more students to help ease what its new headteacher says is a ‘critical’ shortage of SEND places in the country.
Such is the lack of places for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Abilities) students that Broadlands Hall School, in Little Wratting, just outside Haverhill, has seen the number on its roll rise from just 17 in 2021 to what is projected to become more than three times that number next summer.
On the back of an Ofsted inspection in which the school was rated ‘good’ in every key area, headteacher Chris James-Rolls, who took up his post in September, said: “I’m getting more than 15 inquiries every week; 15 referrals from local authorities.
Broadlands Hall School is expanding SEND places to meet a rising demand under its new headteacher, Chris James-Rolls.With him are Pioneer Group KS3 and class teachers Sam, Charley and Sarah. Picture: Mark Westley
“It’s fallen quieter as we approach Christmas, but I was looking back at the number of referrals last week and it was literally five every day.
“I started in September and there were 32 on roll, so we have gone to 40 and we are going to be up to 50 in January so we have got to then go for a material change review with Ofsted because we need to increase the numbers as there is such a demand.
“I think probably around the summer time we will apply for a material change to go up to 60.
Broadlands Hall School headteacher, Chris James-Rolls. Picture: Mark Westley
“We have another building that’s going to be ready in January because we are a bit full in the two buildings we have already.”
Mr James-Rolls said referral requests wre being received from far and wide, including Worcester, Manchester, the West Country and London, as well as Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, the three home counties for most students.
The independent school, which opened in 2006, caters for boys aged nine-20.
Of these, 15 students are residential, eight live on site at Broadlands and the others are split between homes in Haverhill and Barnardiston. There are eight boys in the sixth form.
Broadlands Hall School headteacher, Chris James-Rolls. The school has also just had a ‘good’ Ofsted report. Picture: Mark Westley
The school now has five students from Haverhill, with one playing for a Haverhill Rovers youth team.
All pupils who attend have an education, health and care plan, meaning the state funds each student.
Most pupils on roll have needs linked to autism spectrum disorder, some have ADHD and some have physical disabilities.
Mr James-Rolls added: “There just isn’t enough SEND provision.
“I genuinely think there is a crisis of not having enough places for these children.”