Decision details

Expansion of Specialist Provision - DSP Phase 2

Decision Maker: City Mayor (Individual Decision)

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval for the release of a further £1.75m from the Capital Programme Policy provision for new school places, to develop a 20 place DSP at Rushey Mead Academy; a 20 place DSP at City of Leicester; a 20 place DSP at Lancaster Academy; a 16 place DSP Unit at Willowbank Hospital School and a 10 place SEND Unit at Imperial Avenue Infant school. Once these provisions are agreed this will have accomplished the DSP Phase 2 programme goal by creating a total of 150 additional DSP places by the anticipated schedule of September 2025.

Decision:

To approve the release of £1.75m from the New Schools Places Policy Provision, to create 72 new DSP Placements (at Rushey Mead Academy; City of Leicester; Lancaster Academy; and Willowbank Hospital School) and create 10 places for a SEND Unit at Imperial Avenue Infant School.

Reasons for the decision:

Designated Specialist provisions within schools are an effective method for delivering specialist educational provision for pupils with special educational needs whilst remaining within a mainstream environment. The DSP phase 2 project will have created an additional 150 specialist places at completion. The release of the remaining funding will enable the final projects to be completed.

Alternative options:

1.         To approve the release of £1.75m from the New Schools Places Policy Provision, to create 72 new DSP Placements (at Rushey Mead Academy; City of Leicester; Lancaster Academy; and Willowbank Hospital School) and create 10 places for a SEND Unit at Imperial Avenue Infant School.

2.         Do not approve the funding to be released, which would stop the creation of additional specialist paces needed.

Publication date: 04/03/2025

Date of decision: 12/03/2025

Effective from: 20/03/2025

Accompanying Documents: