This consultation is in regard to Soundwell Academy, in Bristol, which will cater for 136 young people who have and Education Health Care Plan highlighting SEMH or SLCN as the child’s main Special Educational Need. We are seeking to expand Soundwelll Academy, as part of the strategic plan by Bristol City Council (BCC), to create additional places for young people with SEMH/SLCN. As part of Learn@ MAT we are seeking to increase the overall role and capacity of Soundwell Academy by expanding its provision to offer a further 8 places at Primary phase in an Inclusion Base at Easton Church of England Primary School, Bristol.

This important new expansion will both support BCC in ensuring that it has the necessary SEND places across the City of Bristol to meet need and demand, and also increase opportunities for younger children to gain early access to the specialist support and interventions provided by Soundwell Academy on a mainstream site. Learn@ MAT has many years of experience in providing inclusive opportunities for young people with EHCP’s, through resource bases managed by our very experienced and skilled staff. This Inclusion Base for 8 KS1 and 2 children will operate from Easton Church of England Primary School, which is part of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust. This is a unique partnership of Trusts working together to help ensure young children with SEND have as much support as possible to return to mainstream education.

The most important feedback we need from you is that you feel we are the right organisation, namely Learn@ MAT, to manage this expansion and ensure these additional places and facilities are available for the young people of Central and East Bristol.

We believe we are a unique Trust that has established itself as a regional and national voice, for both the young people and the families of young people with SEMH, SLCN or in Alternative Provision. We have an established and committed Board of Trustees with a wide range of knowledge and skills, who wish to encourage, challenge and support the leaders of their Academies in creating the best holistic learning opportunities possible for our young people.

We would really appreciate your feedback and the opportunity to answer any of your questions through our enclosed questionnaire, which can also be accessed through our website www.learnmat.uk

Please send your queries and feedback to info@learnmat.uk and we will get back to you if required.

We look forward to hearing from you, receiving your questionnaire feedback.