SCHOOL bosses are set to extend a project designed to make it easier for children with additional needs to receive extra specialist support.

The new scheme, which launched in December 2018 and is currently in its pilot phase, means some special educational needs children can receive ‘prompt’ and ‘short-term’ access to expert support without having to have extra assessments.

Leading figures from school teams across Bracknell Forest described the council-led scheme as “transformational.”

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Brakenhale School is one of six establishments piloting the scheme, and headteacher Jane Coley told other schools representatives: “It has been very positive.

“What we are doing is on the right track – it is definitely something that was needed.

“It has been transformational for some people and it is great for everybody to be involved in it.”

The idea was introduced to tackle the borough’s ‘high level of fixed-term exclusions at SEN support’ establishments.

Children ‘at risk’ of not making expected progress as learners were targeted as being the main beneficiaries of the scheme and a council report claimed 36 young people have been a part of the project so far.

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Neil Davies, headteacher of participating Sandy Lane Primary School, added: “It has been brilliant to be part of it.

“What comes next needs to be the sustainability side of it.

“If it is really working and is beneficial we need to find out.”

Early reports suggest encouraging signs as the council report suggested Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) and participating schools had created a ‘creative partnership’, with top BFC councillor Dr Gareth Barnard saying he was “very supportive” of the work.

One child who is supported through the project told supervisors extra provisions such as the Forest School motivate them to ‘be good’.

Other schools involved in the project include Jennetts Park CE Primary School, Great Hollands Primary School, Easthampstead Park Community School and Garth Hill College.

The move to extend the pilot means the schools will keep using the scheme until April 2020.

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Bracknell Forest Council’s Schools Forum, which agreed to the extension on Thursday, June 20, will be presented with a review of the scheme in November.