PARENTS and carers can get involved in shaping a new special educational needs and disability (SEND) school in Salisbury. 

Salisbury Academy for Inspirational Learning (SAIL) has launched a public consultation to receive feedback from the local community. 

The consultation, launched by Reach South Academy Trust, who will oversee the school when open, will allow parents/carers, pupils, staff and governors from local schools, local councillors, local residents, and any other interested parties to learn more about SAIL and to share their views.

Interim Headteacher at SAIL, Mike Thomas said: “It is important to all of us involved with SAIL that this development goes forward with input from the Salisbury community. We want to develop a school which is safe, exciting, and purposeful for all its pupils.

“We know there is real potential to the site which will become home to the new school, but we do recognise that work needs to be done to make it fit for purpose to meet the needs of the intended autism and SEMH community.

"This consultation will give our local community the chance to help make sure this school is best suited to meet the needs of the SEND community in South Wiltshire.”

The new school is due to open in September 2023. On a temporary basis it will initially be in part of Pembroke Park Primary School and the current site of Springfields in the South at Sarum Academy before moving to its permanent site at South Wiltshire University Technical College (UTC) on Wilton Road later that autumn.

The SEND free school will create up to 150 new places for children aged between four to 19 with autism or a social, emotional, mental health (SEMH) profile.

The SAIL school will be part of the Reach South Academy Trust, which is working in partnership with the Department for Education and Wiltshire Council to ensure the new school is ready to open next year.

Planning permission for the school’s permanent site on Wilton Road was also granted over the summer

The school’s vision is "to help these young people learn to build safe, independent, lives through a process of understanding, support, and enablement".

The consultation period runs until Wednesday, November 2.

A public consultation event is also being held on Tuesday, October 11 at Springfields South which will give the public an opportunity to meet the team and find out more information about SAIL.

To attend the event, register your interest at SAIL-Consultation11-10-22.eventbrite.co.uk

 

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