'Robust action' to prepare for reopening of Coombe House school
The school's opening has been described as 'bumpy' after key staff members left
Dorset councillors say they have been reassured that ‘robust action’ is being taken to prepare Coombe House School for re-opening in September.
The special school, in Wiltshire, close to Shaftesbury, was bought by Dorset Council for more than £10 million to help meet the need for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Its opening was described as “bumpy” by the council and has resulted in the loss of key staff and led to a series of complaints from parents or carers – mainly around the safety of the site and the, alleged, lack of preparation for some of the new pupils. A number will not be returning at the start of the autumn term when there will be fewer on the roll than originally planned.
Some parents have since taken to social media to claim that the site is too big for children who respond well to a more intimate and homely environment.
The council’s two scrutiny committee met in exempt session this week to hear about the difficulties there had been and the work being planned to improve the situation.
Weymouth councillor Gill Taylor, who chaired the session, said the meeting saw councillors asking wide-ranging questions.
“The session has given reassurance that robust actions are being taken to ensure Coombe House School is ready to welcome pupils with the start of the new school year in September,” she said.
At the time of the school opening, in May, although it had already been delayed, not all of the building work was completed and sections of the site were fenced off.
Said a council statement: “there remained some challenges with the site which arose in the first week, so the school was closed for one week from 23 May.”
The committee heard details of a programme of building works which is due for completion by the end of August.
Sean Kretz, the headteacher of Westfield School, Weymouth is continuing support staff at Coombe House as a short-term measure, helping the teaching staff to prepare for the new term in September.
The council says there has also been greater emphasis on providing therapeutic and pastoral care to support the children’s needs.
Said Councillor Andrew Parry, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help: “We apologise to the children, young people and families who have been negatively affected by the bumpy opening of Coombe House School. This is not what any of us wanted and we are working hard, with the independent board to put things right.
“We remain confident that buying the old St Mary’s School site was the right thing to do, particularly as more SEND provision was needed in the north and using this existing school site is quicker and more cost effective than building a new school from scratch.
“Turning it into a special school is part of a bigger picture that Dorset Council has to increase SEND provision creating an additional 500 places for Dorset children and young people.”
“It will provide a great place to learn for the children who go there and over time will save money that is currently being spent to educate children in other independent facilities. We will continue to work closely with the Dorset Centre of Excellence Board, who are the proprietors of the school, to ensure this happens.”