WORK was completed this week on a new Specialist Resource Provision at a Hayes school.

It is part of a project to expand places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.  

The bespoke SRP was created at Charville Academy, offering group and therapy rooms, classrooms and a welcome space.

It will initially serve an additional eight students with autistic spectrum conditions, before doubling to 16 in September.  

Head teacher Nicola Kelly said: “[It] will provide direct access to mainstream education opportunities, as well as needs-based targeted support in small groups. 

“It is designed so all our children develop the life skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century.”  

Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Susan O’Brien, visited on Wednesday (13) alongside deputy leader Cllr Jonathan Bianco, to mark its official opening.   

She said: “Real progress is being made to meet demand for specialist provision in our schools through this building programme.

“These are key examples of where we’ve reviewed how areas in our schools are used and how they can be adapted to address increasing demand for places.”  

Work on another SRP is nearing completion at Ruislip Gardens Primary School, to initially support 12 primary-aged children with autistic spectrum conditions.

The council is also creating an early years assessment centre at the school, which will offer a further 16 places to nursery-aged children who require SEND provision.

Work is also underway at Meadow High School in Uxbridge, where the council is expanding the school in two phases, creating a satellite school in Harefield with 90 extra places and building a new classroom block at the existing site.

www.hillingdon.gov.uk/send-local-offer