Special Announcement

Newfield - New Satellite Provision

Parent Notification from Rachel Kay, Headteacher - 14th April 2026 :

I am pleased to share an important development in the future of our wonderful school. We have been given the opportunity to expand our provision through the creation of a new satellite site, which is currently known as the Stansfeld Centre. This expansion reflects the growing trust in the high quality support we provide for children with special educational needs within Blackburn and Darwen.

The new site, located in Blackburn Central, will accommodate 60 pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4, with a particular but not necessarily exclusive focus on supporting young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). This development will allow us to offer specialist places to more children who need and deserve the right environment to thrive.

As part of this process, there will be a full statutory consultation, ensuring that all stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute their views. This ensures the expansion follows the required legal and regulatory steps.

To support the children at the satellite site Newfield will also be recruiting additional staff who represent our existing core values and skills. This will ensure that the high standards of care, teaching, and support that define our school are fully maintained across both sites.

Further information will be shared in due course.

Consultation Proposal - Establish a Satellite Site – Enlargement of Premises – Expansion onto an Additional Site

Consulation from BwD - 8th May 2026

*Local Authority - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

School - Newfield

Consultation Start Date - Friday 8th May 2026

DfE - 889/7107

1. Introduction and Purpose of the Proposal

Blackburn with Darwen Local Authority is consulting on a proposal to establish a satellite site to Newfield School, a local authority maintained special school.

The proposal involves the expansion of Newfield School onto an additional site in order to provide additional specialist provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The satellite site will operate as part of Newfield School, with pupils remaining on roll at the main school.

This consultation is being carried out in accordance with the Department for Education statutory guidance “Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools, August 2025”, as the proposal constitutes a prescribed alteration.

The proposal supports the Local Authority’s responsibility to plan and secure sufficient, appropriate and inclusive education provision for children and young people with SEND.

The Local Authority is seeking the views of parents, carers, staff, governors and other interested stakeholders before any decision is taken.

2. Statutory and Legal Context

The proposal to expand Newfield School onto a satellite site constitutes an enlargement of premises and expansion onto an additional site, which is classified as a prescribed alteration under education legislation.

As such, the Local Authority is required to follow the statutory process set out in the Department for Education guidance “Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools, August 2025”, which includes formal publication and a statutory representation (consultation) period.

Following the consultation period, all responses will be carefully considered before a recommendation is brought forward for decision.

3. Background and Context

Blackburn with Darwen’s pupil place planning and SEND sufficiency modelling identify a current and growing shortfall of specialist places, including places within special schools, SEN units, resourced provision and pupil referral units.

Both locally and nationally, the number of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) continues to rise across all age groups. While many pupils with SEND can be supported within mainstream settings, a significant number require specialist provision that cannot be delivered through universal or targeted support alone.

Newfield School currently provides specialist education for pupils with complex SEND and experiences sustained pressure on places. Establishing a satellite site will enable Newfield School to increase capacity in a planned and appropriate way, helping to meet increasing demand for specialist provision while ensuring children can be educated closer to home.

4. Demographics and Population

Blackburn with Darwen continues to experience changes in population and increasing identification of SEND.

Over recent years, the Local Authority has seen sustained growth in the number of EHCPs issued, including significant growth at primary and secondary age.

This trend has placed pressure on existing specialist provision, resulting in increasing reliance on placements outside the borough. Local data confirms a need to expand in-borough provision to meet both current and projected demand and to reduce reliance on out-of-area placements where appropriate.

The proposed satellite site to Newfield School forms part of a planned programme of SEND place development across the borough.

5. Description of the Proposed Change

It is proposed that Newfield School expands onto a satellite site, which will operate as an additional site of the school.

The satellite site will:

• Operate as part of Newfield School
• Provide specialist provision for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans
• Increase the number of specialist places available locally
• Deliver education under the governance, leadership and ethos of Newfield School.

Pupils educated at the satellite site will remain on roll at Newfield School and will be taught by staff employed by the school.

The proposal does not involve:

• The opening of a new school
• A change to Newfield School’s designation as a special school
• Any change to the school’s governance arrangements.

Subject to statutory approval, the satellite site is expected to open from Autumn Term 2027.

6. Nature of the SEN Provision

The satellite site will support pupils with EHCPs whose needs require specialist provision that cannot be met within mainstream education.

The provision is expected to support pupils with needs including, but not limited to:

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Complex learning and developmental needs.

Placements will be agreed through the Local Authority’s SEND processes and admissions arrangements for special schools.

7. Impact on Educational Standards

The proposal is expected to improve educational outcomes for pupils with SEND by increasing access to appropriate specialist provision within the borough.

Expanding Newfield School through a satellite site will:

• Enable pupils to be educated in settings that better meet their needs
• Improve continuity of education for pupils with complex needs
• Support positive attendance and engagement
• Reliance on long-distance and out-of-borough placements.

Currently there are 282 pupils educated outside the borough across special schools, mainstream settings and independent provision (including post-16). While some pupils will continue to require highly specialised placements outside the borough, expanding local provision is expected to reduce this number over time.

8. Impact on Other Educational Institutions

The establishment of a satellite site to Newfield School is not expected to have a negative impact on other local schools or colleges.

Instead, the creation of additional specialist places will:

• Alleviate pressure on existing special schools and specialist provisions
• Support the wider SEND system by increasing capacity
• Reduce demand on alternative and out-of-borough provision.

9. Equality Considerations

The proposal supports the Local Authority’s duties under the Equality Act 2010 by improving access to appropriate education for children and young people with disabilities.

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken and indicates that the proposal is expected to have a positive impact on pupils and families by:

• Increasing availability of specialist provision
• Supporting inclusion and participation
• Improving educational access and outcomes for pupils with SEND.

10. Financial and Property Implications

Any required building works at the satellite site will be undertaken in line with relevant design, accessibility and safeguarding standards.

Capital funding for the development of the satellite site will be met through identified Local Authority and/or Department for Education funding streams.

Ongoing revenue funding for pupils educated at the satellite site will be provided in line with the Local Authority’s SEND funding arrangements. The proposal will not place additional financial pressure on the school’s delegated budget.

11. Consultation Arrangements

This consultation will run from Friday 8th May 2026 to Friday 12th June 2026

Views are invited from:

• Parents and carers of Newfield Pupils
• School staff and governors
• Other LA’s who have commissioned places at this school
• Other interested stakeholders

Timeline for the Consultation Period

09 May 2026 - Start of the consultation.

12 June 2026 - End of the consultation period/deadline for submitting views to the Local Authority.

12 June 2026 - Analysis of consultation views and preparation of information to be considered by the LA.

30 June 2026 - To be presented at the Senior Policy Team (SPT) meeting, within Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

July/August 2026 - Executive board decision meeting to consider views and make a formal decision on these proposals.

12. Implementation and Next Steps

Following the consultation period, a report summarising feedback and setting out recommendations will be presented to the Council’s Executive Board. If the proposal is approved discussion will take place to arrange the commencement of the necessary works.

13. How to Respond

This consultation will run for a period of 4 term time weeks from Friday 8th May 2026. You are invited to submit views in writing about the proposal above to the Local Authority.

You can share your views via this online form - Online Response Form - or download the form below and send by post or email to the following addresses –

Blackburn with Darwen Council School Organisation, Ground Floor, 10 Duke Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 1DH. Email: childcareandeducation@blackburn.gov.uk

All views must be received by 1pm on Friday 12th June 2026. Views received after this specified time and date will not be considered.