Our proposal is to increase Marchbank Free School’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 42 to 65.

Introduction

Marchbank Free School provides education and support to primary aged children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH), autism and other learning difficulties.

The school aims to work with children helping them to develop into self-assured, confident, happy, positive young people.

The school has grown in popularity in recent years and due to significant pressure on special school capacity in the borough of Darlington it has admitted more children and currently provides education and support to 55 pupils.

Further work with Darlington Borough Council has found that there is a need for another ten places at the school and this has led to the school identifying a need to increase its PAN to 65 pupils.

Will the school building require adaptation/work to accommodate more pupils?

No. Some work was undertaken on the building in the autumn of 2024 to accommodate an additional class of 10 pupils. No further work is required which would disrupt pupils, teaching and learning or the local community.

Who will access the additional places?

Primary aged children will access the additional places.

What will the benefit of the PAN increase be?

It will:

• Create more spaces at Marchbank Free School for the pupils who need support
• Ensure Darlington continues to respond to the changing needs and requirements of Darlington young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Increase the opportunity for Darlington young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to access education in Darlington
• Support the further diversification of the education offer for Darlington young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Who is being consulted about this change?

There will be an open community consultation available via the Education Village Academy Trust’s website. Focused consultation will also take place with current parents, future parents and key stakeholders.

How long will the consultation run?

The consultation forms part of the DFE place change processes and therefore will be open for a 3-week period starting Wednesday 5^th March 2025 and ending Wednesday 26^th March 2025

What happens after the consultation?

All consultation responses will be collated and due planning processes concluded.  Following which, a significant change application will be submitted by EVAT to the  Department for Education (DfE). DfE will then make a determination if the requested changes can take place.

To take part in our consultation please complete the questions below and return your completed questionnaire to the school.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspects of this consultation further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

C M Green

Caroline Green (Executive Principal)

Cgreen@educationvillage.org.uk

Tel: 01325 254670