Push to keep numbers growing at Dorset special school
Coombe House near Shaftesbury has faced difficulties since opening in 2022
Extra measures are being put in place to ensure success for an increase in pupil numbers at the Dorset Coombe House School.
The school ran into difficulties when it first opened in June 2022 with building work ongoing and, according to some parents, insufficient teaching and support staff.
The combination forced it to close within weeks, only to re-open in September with 16 fewer pupils than the 36 it started with.
Since then the school’s progress, as reported to councillors, has been good with targets mostly met.
This September the special school, near Shaftesbury, is expecting what it describes as a “substantial” increase of around thirty pupils and to also start a small sixth form, which will take its roll to over a hundred for the first time.
Dorset councillors heard this week that contingency plans have been prepared in case building work on new classrooms is not finished on time – with the possibility of bringing temporary buildings to the site, if needed.
Managing director of the school, Andy Holder, said that staff recruitment was going well to meet the increased numbers and work had started, in Hull, on a new pre-fabricated teaching block.
He said the increase of 32 pupils, expected in September, would be the biggest single intake so far.
Chairman of the school board of directors, Ian Comfort, told councillors on the council board:
“We are not going to have growth unless we can manage it carefully… we do have contingency plans in place.”
Executive director of Dorset children’s services, Theresa Leavy, said that having a Plan B was part and parcel of her service although there was confidence in delivering to pupils what had been promised with everyone working hard to keep the plan on track.
She praised the school and its staff for their personalised approach to pupils and in maintaining engagement, including with many who, until they came to Coombe House, had not managed to maintain full-time education.
The meeting heard that the school had been making use of its facilities including a walled garden and Forest School, therapeutic classrooms and therapeutic dining space, to make positive progress engaging pupils.
Mr Holder said the school had received positive feedback from parents, carers and pupils, one telling staff that they had found “their place.”
“We have a high quality, stable leadership team which is growing and developing as the school grows,” said Mr Holder.
The school business plans eventually allow for more then 280 pupils on site which Dorset Council believes will help it make savings by not having to find places for pupils outside the county and reducing travelling time and costs.
The former Catholic private school site, set in 55 acres, was bought by Dorset Council for more than £10 million after it ran into financial difficulties during the Covid years. It has since spent undisclosed sums making changes to the buildings and grounds.
The site is run by an independent board with Dorset Council its biggest ‘customer’ and has future plans to be a “centre for excellence” for training associated with SEND education and the possibly of being able to offer respite care and limited social care housing on the site.
Several facilities, including the school pool and gardens, are now being shared with the community through organised groups.