ISP Statutory Consultation Report – Perth High School
Perth and Kinross Council · 12 November 2025
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 12 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities Committee or Board: Learning and Families Committee Date of Meeting: 12 November 2025 Report Title: Intensive Support Provision Statutory Consultation Report – Perth High School Report Number: 25/306 Report Author(s): Fiona Mackay, Service Manager - Inclusion and Additional Support; Sarah Stephen, Quality Improvement Officer (FBSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk) Organisational Lead: David Macluskey, Strategic Lead – Education and Learning 1. Purpose 1.1 The report informs the Learning and Families Committee of the outcome and findings of the statutory consultation exercise undertaken in respect of the formal proposal to permanently establish a new Intensive Support Provision (ISP) in Perth High School for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) with effect from January 2026, as detailed in the published Consultation Report (attached as Appendix A). 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Context 4. Responses to the Consultation Exercise 5. Proposal 6. Conclusion 7. Impact and Value Assessment 8. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Notes the findings of the statutory consultation and Education Scotland's support for the proposal.
Page 2
2.2 Approves the proposal to permanently establish a new ISP at Perth High School, effective from January 2026. 2.3 Endorses continued stakeholder engagement during implementation. 3. Background/Context 3.1 Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) is mandated by the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 to provide adequate and efficient education, including additional support for young people with ASN. The term ASN applies to children or young people who, for whatever reason, require additional support, long or short term, in order to benefit from their education. 3.2 On 29 January 2025, the Learning and Families Committee reviewed an Options Appraisal report (Report No. 25/19 refers) for the expansion of ISPs in Perth and Kinross Council primary and secondary schools. The Committee agreed to commence an expansion of ISPs through three phases over a three-year period. This proposal paper is taking forward Part 1 of Phase 1. 3.3 The Learning and Families Committee agreed that the Strategic Lead - Education and Learning (Chief Education Officer) would commence a statutory consultation in respect of the permanent establishment of a new ISP in Perth High School, as required by the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010. 3.4 The duties in undertaking a statutory consultation on a relevant school proposal are outlined in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and the accompanying statutory guidance. 3.5 Currently, Perth High School does not have an ISP meaning that pupils with complex and multiple ASN must travel to other areas within Perth and Kinross to access appropriate education. The challenges that this presents were outlined in the Options Appraisal agreed by the Learning and Families Committee on 29 January 2025 and in the Proposal Paper published on the PKC website. 4. Responses to the Consultation Exercise 4.1 The statutory consultation involved a consultation period that ran from 24 March 2025 until 23 May 2025, a period of 32 school days. This included a public meeting, staff meeting, and engagement with children and young people. Education Scotland also contributed to the consultation and provided a report on the educational aspects of the proposal. The main considerations relating to the proposal are fully explained in the published Proposal Paper. 4.2 In addition to the questions raised at the in-person meetings, a total of 33 online response forms were received during the statutory consultation period. Of these, 27 responses agreed with the Council’s proposal to establish an ISP at Perth High School, 5 responses disagreed,
Page 3
and 1 response neither agreed nor disagreed. However, 12 responses were invalid due to missing required information such as name, address, or email, and were therefore excluded from the validated total. 4.3 The majority of validated responses were in favour of the proposal to establish an ISP at Perth High School. The positives identified included: • Strong support for local access to specialist education for pupils with complex ASN. • Recognition of increased inclusivity and fairness for children with disabilities. • Reduced travel time for pupils currently attending ISPs in other areas. • Creation of a safe, tailored learning environment to meet diverse needs. • Opportunity for personalised learning and better support within the local community. • Support for keeping siblings together and easing transitions for care- experienced pupils. 4.4 The consultation raised questions in relation to: • Facilities and infrastructure. • Education and staffing. • Operations and management. • Governance and communication. 4.5 Concerns raised included: • The ISP was not included in the original school design and planning. • Risk of reduced support for pupils currently accessing ASN support. • Existing shortages of specialist ASN staff and resource limitations within the school. • Potential disruption to mainstream pupils and concerns about integration. • Need for quiet spaces for neurodivergent pupils when feeling overwhelmed or bullied. • Impact on pupils with milder support needs who may not qualify for the ISP. • Involvement of the Parent Council in school changes, such as introduction of the ISP. 4.6 PKC have provided responses to the questions and concerns raised at Section 9 of the Consultation Report (Appendix A). In addition, a short life working group will be established, including Parent Council representation, to run for a period of not more than 18 months to monitor the impact of the new ISP provision and identify any material changes that may be needed. 4.7 The proposal to establish an ISP at Perth High School is a direct response to the representations made in the consultation and aligns with statutory duties under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Education (Additional
Page 4
Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004, as well as the Council’s commitment to inclusive education and reducing inequalities of outcome. PKC will continue to work with stakeholders to address concerns and ensure inclusive access to mainstream activities. 5. Proposal 5.1 PKC proposes to permanently establish a new ISP for up to 16 pupils with complex ASN within Perth High School, effective from January 2026. The location, facilities and arrangements for the ISP are detailed in the Consultation Report (Appendix A). 6. Conclusion 6.1 The proposal to establish a new ISP at Perth High School offers a sustainable and inclusive solution for the provision of education for pupils with complex ASN within the Perth High School catchment area. It addresses the current lack of local provision, which has led to extended travel times, disrupted transitions, and limited access to community-based education. 6.2 Stakeholder feedback, including from pupils, parents, and staff, has been broadly supportive. Education Scotland’s independent evaluation confirms the educational benefits of the proposal and commends the Council’s consultation and engagement efforts. Recommendations for continued stakeholder involvement, flexible space design, and clear transport arrangements have been accepted by the Council. 6.3 In response to points raised in the consultation, PKC has committed to ensuring that resources allocated to the ISP are additional and do not detract from existing provision. Shared spaces will be managed equitably, and professional development will be provided to staff to support inclusive practices. 6.4 This proposal aligns with PKC’s statutory obligations under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as well as the Council’s Learning Estate Strategy and Corporate Plan priorities. It represents a significant step forward in promoting equity, inclusion, and community-based education for children and young people with complex ASN. 7. Impact and Value Assessment The Impact and Value Assessment (IVA) undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed on the Perth and Kinross Council website via the link: Additional Support Needs Special Education Provision (Phase 2 ISP Expansion) - Options Appraisal The Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed in the Equality and Fairness Impact Assessments area of the Perth and Kinross Council website.
Page 5
8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix A – Consultation Report (Perth High School)