ISP Statutory Consultation Report - Viewlands Primary School
Perth and Kinross Council · 12 November 2025
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 12 November 2025 and its agenda
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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 – Viewlands Primary School Report Number: 25/307 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 Viewlands Primary School for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) with effect from January 2026, as detailed in the published Consultation Report (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.
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2.2 Approves the proposal to permanently establish a new ISP at Viewlands Primary 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 a report (Report No. 25/19 refers) on an Options Appraisal for the expansion of ISPs in PKC primary and secondary schools. The Committee agreed to commence an expansion of ISPs through three phases over a three-year period, with a request to bring back to Committee a paper on the options for an additional Primary ISP in the Perth Academy catchment as part of Phase 1. 3.3 That Options Appraisal report, specific to the Perth Academy catchment area, was subsequently considered at Learning and families Committee on 2 April 2025 (Report number 25/72 refers). The Learning & 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 Viewlands Primary 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, Viewlands Primary 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 (Report No. 25/72 refers) agreed by the Learning and Families Committee on 2 April 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 April 2025 until 6 June 2025, a total of 31 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 in the in-person meetings, a total of 8 online response forms were received during the statutory consultation period. Of these, 4 responses agreed with the Council’s proposal to establish an ISP
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at Viewlands Primary School, and 4 responses disagreed. However, 4 responses were invalid due to missing required information such as name, address, or email, and were therefore excluded from the validated total. The validated responses were evenly split, with 2 respondents agreeing and 2 disagreeing with the proposal to establish an ISP at Viewlands Primary School. 4.3 A further 8 written representations were received. One of these written responses represented the views of 61 parents, who although objecting to the proposal, highlighted their strong support of the right to every child in their community to high-quality education with additional support. The details of the responses are contained within the Consultation Report (Appendix A). The positives identified and concerns raised have been grouped and there are several themes reflected that have informed the finalisation of the planning for the ISP. 4.4 The positives identified were: • Support for local access to specialist education for pupils with complex ASN. • Recognition that children should not have to travel long distances to access appropriate support. • Emphasis on the importance of inclusion and the right of disabled children to be educated within their community. • Appreciation for the leadership and inclusive ethos at Viewlands Primary School. • Belief that the ISP will enhance transitions to secondary school and reduce stress for families. • Endorsement of the ISP having a dedicated outdoor space not shared with mainstream pupils. 4.5 The concerns raised have been summarised below and actions have been taken forward, or are planned, to mitigate the potential issues highlighted: • The ISP was not part of the original school design and is being rushed. • Loss of specialist rooms and shared spaces used for music, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and pupil support. • Inadequate disabled toilet provision and concerns about accessibility. • Impact on playground space and lack of alternative outdoor areas for mainstream pupils. • Increased congestion at drop-off and pick-up times, especially with existing traffic challenges. • Concerns about the consultation process. 4.6 Section 9 of the Consultation Report (Appendix A) provides responses to the questions raised. PKC Education and Learning Officers are committed to continuing to engage with the school community following the implementation of the ISP 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.
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4.7 The proposal to establish an ISP at Viewlands Primary School is a direct response to these issues and aligns with statutory duties under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, as well as the Council’s commitment to inclusive education and reducing inequalities of outcome. 5. Proposal 5.1 PKC proposes to permanently establish a new ISP for up to 16 pupils with complex and multiple needs within Viewlands Primary 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 Viewlands Primary School offers a sustainable and inclusive solution for the provision of appropriate education for primary-aged pupils with complex and multiple ASN within the Perth Academy 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 The ISP will provide a high-quality learning environment tailored to individual needs, with access to specialist facilities and opportunities for integration into mainstream education. It supports smoother transitions to secondary education, particularly to Perth Academy, and strengthens community ties. 6.3 Stakeholder feedback has been mixed, with strong support for inclusion and local access to specialist education, alongside concerns about the impact on existing facilities, toilet provision, and outdoor space. Education Scotland’s independent evaluation confirms the educational benefits of the proposal and recommends continued engagement, improved facilities, and inclusive planning. 6.4 The Council has responded to these concerns with a phased implementation plan, infrastructure improvements, and assurances that mainstream provision will not be displaced. The proposal aligns with PKC’s statutory obligations and strategic priorities, including the Learning Estate Strategy and the Corporate Plan. It represents a significant step forward in promoting equity, inclusion, and community-based education for children 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 Viewlands Primary School – 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.
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8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix A – Consultation Report (Viewlands Primary School)