Public consultation held over specialist education hub at Daventry school

The Parker E-ACT Academy has been asked by Northamptonshire County Council to think about opening a 'specialist educational provision' for a small number of secondary students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

It comes as there are no facilities in Northampton and Daventry that provide a place for young people who have difficulties with their emotional and social development.

Northamptonshire County Council believes that the provision would be better suited at The Parker E-ACT Academy above any other location in this area of the county because of the 'expertise within the academy’s leadership team'.

The plan would be to initially offer 10 places to children, all of whom would be referred by Northamptonshire County Council and registered as a student at The Parker E-ACT Academy.

Within 12 months, it is proposed that a maximum of 20 students would be attending the facility.

Northamptonshire County Council have said it will fund any costs of converting the building and setting up the provision, with ongoing costs met by the council or the relevant local authority for each attending student.

When is the consultation?

The consultation opened on July 8, the school told the Chronicle & Echo this week, and will close on August 8.

The school is now arranging a virtual public meeting where representatives from Northamptonshire County Council and E-ACT will be in attendance on Tuesday 28 July from 6.00pm-7.00pm to answer any questions.

Details of how people can join the meeting and how they can take part in the public consultation process can be found on the Parker E-ACT Academy website.