Bridging the Gap
In Scarborough, there is a major gap in provision for neurodivergent children who don’t have complex learning needs but who cannot thrive in mainstream schools.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Scarborough faces a sharp contrast of stunning landscapes and serious social challenges.
If you live in Scarborough you are lucky enough to live in a very beautiful part of Britain! However, did you know that over 40% of Scarborough’s neighbourhoods lie within the top 20% most deprived areas in England, with pockets among the very worst nationally.
In 2022-23, there were 1,123 requests for EHCPs in the Scarborough & Whitby area - a 40% increase from the previous year and that number continues to grow. Regardless of these figures, and at the time of writing, there are currently no Targeted Mainstream Provision (TMP) hubs in Scarborough Schools, despite statutory duties ( although some are now planned.)
Existing special schools within reasonable travelling distance focus on children with complex learning needs or SEMH ( Social, Emotional, and Mental Health challenges ) and are therefore not suitable for neurodivergent children without learning disabilities.
A study published in The Guardian Newspaper (March 2024) highlighted that over a quarter of autistic pupils in England - around 51,000 out of 200,000 - are persistently absent from school, unable to cope with mainstream environments.
Whilst mainstream schools can be overwhelming and traumatic, we see that most specialist settings are designed for children with complex needs, and do not provide access to a full, age-appropriate curriculum or the extra-curricular and social activities offered in mainstream schools. This creates a significant gap in provision, leaving bright, neurodiverse children without access to the education they have a right to - and that their neurotypical peers are able to enjoy everyday.
For these children in Scarborough there are no full- time special school options. Instead, they face long, daily journeys to schools out of the area or parents are forced to opt for home schooling, often through lack of support and sheer exhaustion! For most, neither of these options are viable - but there is no other choice.
The result is a growing population of young people excluded from education and social interaction, not because of their ability, but because of an education system that lacks the flexibility to meet their needs.
This problem was described in a research paper published in the SAGE Journals (2023) as a worrying trend and…
“a major societal problem, with a range of potential adverse long-term consequences.”
No School To Go To!
“Our 7 -year-old son is extremely bright and capable, but has been out of school for two years. The Local Authority hasn’t been able to find a place for him in Scarborough, outside of mainstream environments, that can provide him with more than 4 hours of education a week”
Parent of child with ADHD and Autism.
This not only represents a failure to deliver the education children are legally entitled to, but also highlights a much deeper and serious issue of inequality and exclusion.
Havenswood Trust is committed to addressing inequality by providing the support and education that these children both need and deserve.