ISP Statutory Consultation Report - St John's RC Academy
Perth and Kinross Council · 27 May 2026
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 27 May 2026 and its agenda
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Learning and Families Committee Date of Meeting: 27 May 2026 Report Title: Intensive Support Provision Statutory Consultation Report – St John’s RC Academy Report Number: 26/141 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 St John’s RC Academy, Perth, for children with Additional Support Needs (ASN) with effect from August 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 Value Assessment 8. Appendix 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Notes the findings of the statutory consultation and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) support for the proposal.
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2.2 Approves the proposal to permanently establish a new ISP at St John’s RC Academy, effective from August 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 PKC 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 Phase 2, as detailed in the Options Appraisal report. 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 St John’s RC Academy, 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, St John’s RC Academy does not have an ISP meaning that pupils with complex and multiple ASN must attend other schools 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 5 November 2025 until 19 December 2025, a period of 31 school days. It included a public meeting, a staff meeting, and engagement with children and young people. The Roman Catholic Church was consulted as part of the statutory process, reflecting denominational considerations within the proposal. HMIE 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.
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4.2 In addition to the questions raised at the in-person meetings, a total of 6 online response forms were received during the statutory consultation period. Of these, 4 responses agreed with the Council’s proposal to establish an ISP at St John’s RC Academy, and 2 responses disagreed. 4.3 The majority of responses were in favour of the proposal to establish an ISP at St John’s RC Academy. The positives identified included: • Access to a faith-based specialist education. • 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. 4.4 The consultation raised concerns in relation to: • Capacity and staffing pressures, with concerns that mainstream provision is already stretched and the ISP could reduce existing support. • Uncertainty about demand and movement between ISPs, including allocation of spaces and transfer requests between areas. • Effects on pupils with milder support needs and those not eligible for the ISP. 4.5 PKC have provided responses to the questions and concerns raised at Section 9 of the Consultation Report (Appendix A). 4.6 The proposal to establish an ISP at St John’s RC Academy 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 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 ASN within St John’s RC Academy, effective from August 2026. The location, facilities and arrangements for the ISP are detailed in the Proposal Paper and Consultation Report (Appendix A). 6. Conclusion 6.1 The proposal to establish a new ISP at St John’s RC Academy offers a sustainable and inclusive solution for the provision of education for children with complex ASN within the St John’s RC Academy catchment area.
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It addresses the current lack of local faith-based provision, which can lead to extended travel times, disrupted transitions, and limited access to community- based education. 6.2 Stakeholder feedback, including from children, young people, parents, and staff, has been overall supportive. HMIE’s independent considerations indicate that the proposal has the potential to deliver educational benefits, noting its alignment with national expectations around inclusion and the presumption of mainstreaming. HMIE also highlighted that the proposal has the capacity to support more children and young people to access the right support, at the right time, within a faith‑based environment. 6.3 In response to points raised in the consultation, PKC has clarified 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 (Report no. 21/202 refers) 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 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. 8. Appendix 8.1 Appendix A – Consultation Report (St John’s RC Academy)