Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 9, 2025

Purpose: Cabinet approval was previously given to authorise the award of a 5 plus 5-year contract to an external education provider for Ofsted registered alternative provision at The Northwood Centre. The tender process was unsuccessful and latest needs analysis has determined that a special school designation for the provision is now more appropriate than an alternative provision designation. Therefore, cabinet is asked to approve the change to allow delivery of places as a special school satellite.

Content: Resolved:   That Cabinet:   Approves the proposal to complete a significant change process to create high needs places at The Northwood Centre, in line with the DfE ‘making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools’ statutory guidance (2025), as set out at option C (Paragraph 48)   Delegates authority to the Director for Education and Skills, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, SEND, Education and Skills, to take all necessary steps to effect the decision to create high needs places at the Northwood Centre including execution of all relevant documents.   Reasons for Decision:   To ensure children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream schools are provided with full-time equivalent education in a local maintained special school. To ensure cost effective placements for children and young people within buildings owned by Wiltshire Council, reducing reliance on high-cost independent non-maintained specialist provision.