New facility opens at Kennet Valley Primary School

A project at Kennet Valley Primary School to create a special facility for primary school children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and/or a diagnosis of Autism is now complete.

Almost £3 million has been invested in the purpose-built space which will eventually provide places for twelve children, starting with the first six who joined in September.

Over 17% of children and young people in West Berkshire schools have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and West Berkshire has seen a 52% rise in the total number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) over the last five years.

Currently, almost 5% of children and young people in West Berkshire have an EHCP. This is slightly higher than the national average and highlights our need for additional capacity to meet SEND needs. 

The facility at Kennet Valley will give a much-needed boost in making sure that more of our children get the special educational support they need. The resource base will provide a mix of educational and medical professionals who will be a team around the child to fully support them and help them to reach their full potential.

Deirdre Devine, Headteacher at Kennet Vally Primary School says,

"We're absolutely delighted with our new SEMH/ASD resource base. It's a great building, with lots of natural light which is good for the children. We've spoken with parents who have children coming here, who are excited about their children attending the Resource Base. This is because it has been recognised that their children need to be part of a smaller group, in a more intimate environment that offers the nurturing and alternative learning opportunities that they need. To be able to provide those is a great honour for us."