EDUCATION AUTHORITY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE Date received: 16th December 2019 EA ref: FOI 4557 Dear Ms Rainey, I write on behalf of the Education Authority further to your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This request relates to Cedar Lodge Post Primary School. REQUEST NO 1 The Current intake criteria for Cedar Lodge Post Primary School. EA RESPONSE NO 1 Pupils are placed in a Special School following a Statutory Assessment which has indicated that such a placement is appropriate and where such needs cannot be met in a mainstream school or specialist provision attached to a mainstream school. A child may be placed at Cedar Lodge School where the child presents with at least a moderate degree of difficulty in learning and additional complex needs, provided this is their closest appropriate specialist setting and such a setting has been recommended as part of the consideration of evidence relating to the statutory assessment process. REQUEST NO 2 Any planned changes to the criteria. Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk EA RESPONSE NO 2 The published Area Planning Annual Action Plan includes the following action in relation to Cedar Lodge: “Managing authority to consult on changing provision to include pupils aged 3–19 and those with more significant &/or complex needs” As part of the strategic approach, the Education Authority is committed to exploring all options and remains dedicated to working in partnership with stakeholders in relation to the out workings of its Strategic Area Plan (2017-2020). There will be no change to provision without the required engagement of all concerned and the necessary robust consultation which is part of the area planning process. REQUEST NO 3 Timescale, current position on any changes and approval Level needed (ministerial etc?) EA RESPONSE NO 3 There is currently no specific timescale for initial engagement with schools but we would anticipate that there will be an update in relation to initial engagement during this academic year. The statutory power to decide on Development Proposals is a power of the Department of Education. In the event that a Development Proposal is approved by the Department of Education following full stakeholder engagement and consultation, the subsequent implementation would be carried out in a phased and managed way to ensure parental confidence and appropriate professional development of staff. In the interim period the Education Authority will continue to place all statemented pupils in accordance with their assessed needs. Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk REQUEST NO 4 Any specific mentions of the school changing to MLD (moderate learning disability) EA RESPONSE NO 4 The change anticipated for Cedar Lodge School is to a profile of Severe and Complex needs, in order to meet the special educational needs of pupils whose degree of learning difficulty cannot be met in a mainstream school or in specialist provision attached to a mainstream school. As outlined previously, any change to provision will require engagement of all concerned and the necessary robust consultation which is part of the area planning process. REQUEST NO 5 List of Alternative Post Primary Schools with provision for SEN in a separate unit from the main schools. EA RESPONSE NO 5 Post Primary schools with approved specialist mainstream provisions in Northern Ireland School SEN Provision Key Stages Abbey Community College LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Ballymoney High School LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Banbridge High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Blackwater Integrated College MODERATE 3 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES City of Armagh High AUTISM SPECIFIC 3 & 4 CLASS City of Armagh High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Clounagh Junior High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Coleraine College LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Cookstown High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk De La Salle Secondary School MODERATE 3 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES Dundonald High School MODERATE 3 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES Glengormley High School Hearing Support Unit 3 & 4 Kilkeel High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Larne High School LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk School SEN Provision Key Stages Lismore Comprehensive School AUTISM SPECIFIC 3 & 4 CLASS Lisneal College LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Magherafelt High School LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Our Lady of Lourdes High School LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Brigid's College, Carnhill AUTISM SPECIFIC 3 & 4 CLASS St Ciaran's High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Joseph's Boys' High, Newry LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Joseph's College, Coalisland AUTISM SPECIFIC 3 & 4 CLASS St Joseph's College, Coalisland LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Joseph's College, Belfast Social Emotional and 3 & 4 Behaviour Difficulties St Joseph's High, Crossmaglen LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Malachy's High School MODERATE 3 & 4 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES St Mark's High, Warrenpoint Education Centre for 3 & 4 pupils with a Physical Disability St Mary's High School, Downpatrick MODERATE 3 & 4 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES St Patrick's Academy, Lisburn MODERATE 3 LEARNING DIFFICULTIES St Patrick's College Maghera LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Patrick's College, Banbridge LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE St Paul's High, Bessbrook LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Tandragee Junior High LEARNING SUPPORT 3 & 4 CENTRE Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of this response or the handling of your request you have the right to appeal it by writing directly to the EA Head of Information Governance at the address below, within two calendar months of the date of this response. EA Head of Information Governance 1 Hospital Road Omagh BT79 0AW In the event that you remain dissatisfied, you have the right to complain further to the Information Commissioner’s Office at the address below: The Information Commissioner Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF If I can be of further assistance with regard to this response, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours Sincerely, Rachael Kane Rachael Kane, Information Governance Officer. Education Authority County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1HN T: +44 (0)28 2563 7229 W: www.eani.org.uk .