In the week that we celebrate International Day For People With Disabilities with the 2020 theme ‘Building Back Better’, Nottinghamshire County Council announced the closure of the residential unit at Fountaindale Specialist Education School in Mansfield.

The decision was taken after a consultation process where 92% respondents objected to its closure.

Students were not invited to take part in the consultation.

The residential unit provides valuable, life enhancing support for students to develop social and living skills and help prepare them for greater independence and adulthood.  Students on the cusp of post 16 education, 14 + yr s, traditionally used the unit for overnight stays along with their peers, support staff to learn to cook, wash, clean, learn vital independence skills and have fun in a safe and fully accessible environment.

What is so special about the residential unit is that students build confidence, develop life skills, and have opportunities to create purposeful and meaningful friendships outside their home bubble but in a supportive environment and with staff they know and trust.

Fountaindale Special Educational Needs School is the only school in Nottinghamshire which provides this unique facility with many parents and carers choosing the school over others, seeing the unit as giving added value to their child’s education.

We do not accept that students can learn these life skills in other parts of the system.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, disconnect, disrupted routines and diminished services have greatly impacted the lives and mental well-being of Children with disabilities.  The timing of decision to close the unit comes as a huge blow to parents and carers with disabled children at the school who have had little or no support during the pandemic and who continue to be under extraordinary pressure.

The Unit closes on 1st January 2021.

We demand that Nottinghamshire County Council reverses this callous, insensitive decision and gives ‘back the building’ to students. A fairer approach and delay in closure would allow the LA to find suitable provision and alternatives while continuing to meet the needs for children who use the unit.

Please sign our petition.

The Fountaindale SEN School Community.