A FACILITY to support children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) issues may be added to a High Wycombe primary school.

Talks are underway at Buckinghamshire Council to construct a new SEMH Unit on the grounds of Juniper Hill Primary School in Churchill Close, Flackwell Heath, with the goal of enabling "pupils to access a mainstream curriculum, whilst accessing specific specialist support."

The plans outline how the proposed facility would be built on the former swimming pool area, which is currently an unused part of the school. 

Additional staff parking would also be provided and the council said tey would cover the building costs using government funding for providing/expanding SEND provision across the county.

Juniper Hill School would receive additional revenue grant funding to run the Unit.

If approved, work would begin in January 2024, with completion expected by September 2024.

With the ability to support 12 SEMH children, the council says in documents submitted as part of the application, there is a demand for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. 

Buckinghamshire Council said in their proposal: "Over the last five years, the number of Special Educational Needs and Disabled (SEND) pupils with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) has increased by 50% (1805 pupils).

"Current projections forecast a further 32% increase in the number of EHCP pupils over the next five years.

"Children and young people with communication and interaction needs and social, emotional and mental health needs is increasing most (1424 or 64% over the last 5 years) with projections forecasting a further increase of 1533 pupils or 42% over the next 5 years."

The council is also proposing to close the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) for pupils with a physical disability at Juniper Hill School. 

If agreed, this proposal would be effective from September 2024.

Pupils currently in the Juniper Hill School ARP would continue to receive the same level of support throughout their time at the school, the authority assured.

With School Leaders, the council said they would work closely with parents of children and young people in the ARP to make sure the proposed closure had no negative impacts on pupils.

Juniper Hill School would continue to offer places to children in the catchment area that have physical disability needs.

Parents, residents and members of the community have been invited to have their say by Sunday, July 16.

You can complete the online survey using the link here, complete and return a printed version of the survey or email juniper-hill-school-consultation@buckinghamshire.gov.uk