Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) for Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC)

Proposal and Representation Period

Proposal

The Principal and Governors of The Spires College are proposing to cease hosting a Torbay Local Authority Enhanced Resource Base for ASC at The Spires College, Torquay, from September 2026.  This proposal was subject to a consultation period from 5 – 23 January 2026.  There were no responses to the consultation.

Introduction

This document contains more information about the proposal for The Spires College to close the Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) for up to 3 children per year group with Autistic Spectrum Conditions in Years 7-11.  The ERP opened in September 2018, and we propose to cease admitting new students into the provision from September 2026.

Why are we proposing this?

The College has seen an increase in a wider range of other high needs and requires the resources to be able to support all students, regardless of primary area of need.

The College has very limited space; the site has a footprint that falls well below the average for secondary schools and our site restrictions mean there is no capacity for expansion.  We therefore need to be able to adjust our allocation of resources according to the needs of students on roll, rather than working within the confines of what is prescribed for the provision of an ERP.

The local authority allocates places in an ERP and specifies the level of service to be provided.  Following the closure, the College will continue to support children with high levels of need but will be able to do so with more flexibility, for example, by continuing to provide the support of our specialist staff into the Sixth Form.

The College previously hosted an ERP for Hearing Impairment.  This was decommissioned last year and the College has taken this provision ‘in-house’.  This has been successful and allowed us to support the needs of more children, as well as enhancing the level of support provided to those students who held places in the ERP.  This gives us a successful model for the proposed changes to our ASC provision.

What impact will this provision have on the education of the children currently accessing the ERP?

Our priority will be to ensure the students we already have in the ERP are well-supported and are not unsettled by this change.  We will continue to provide them with the level of support they currently receive, and their provision will look and feel no different.  They will have access to the same support, staff, and spaces as they currently do.  No staff roles will be put at risk.

What will be the impact on other local educational institutions?

The Spires College intends to retain its specialist staff and so will continue to provide effective support for children with ASC.  Thus, impact on other schools will be minimal.

Cost

The change is likely to be cost neutral as students will remain eligible for SEND funding; this will just be allocated in a different way.

Implenentation

The College Principal has met with the parents of children who have places within the ERP and explained the proposal and its impact.  Staff have already been informed.  Given that the college intends to continue to provide support for these students in the same way as it currently does, no further implementation plan is required.  Torbay Local Authority will not allocate places in the ERP at The Spires College for September 2026 onwards.

The proposal is now subject to a representation period from 26 January to 23 February 2026.  Please forward any response by 23 February 2026 to: schools.capital@torbay.gov.uk or

Schools Capital Team (3^rd Floor Tor Hill House)

Torbay Council

Town Hall, Castle Circus,

Torquay, TQ1 3DR

 

Yours sincerely

Ms A Newton

 

Principal

 

On behalf of the Board of Governors