ISP Statutory Consultation Report - Community School of Auchterarder
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 – Community School of Auchterarder Report Number: 26/142 Report Authors: 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 Community School of Auchterarder 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 Community School of Auchterarder, effective from August 2026, but hosted at an alternative primary school for academic year 2026/27, to allow for the necessary building works to be completed. 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 Community School of Auchterarder, 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, Community School of Auchterarder 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 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. 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 13 online response forms were received during the statutory consultation period. Of these, 7 responses agreed with the Council’s proposal to establish an ISP at the Community School of Auchterarder and 6 responses disagreed. Written representations were also invited from statutory consultees and interested parties. 7 written responses were received. One response agreed with the proposal and 6 responses agreed in principle with the proposal to establish a local ISP but had concerns and questions about the published proposal. 4.3 The majority of responses were in favour of the proposal to establish an ISP at Community School of Auchterarder. The positives identified included: • Strong support for a local ISP, reducing travel time and allowing pupils to attend provision closer to home. • Improved fairness, access and inclusion for pupils with complex ASN and disabilities. • Positive views from pupils, highlighting inclusion, friendships, calmer spaces and reduced travel. • Clear educational benefits, including targeted support, specialist staff and structured learning environments. • Safe, tailored provision locally, enabling personalised learning and better support within the community. • General agreement on the need for an ISP in Community School of Auchterarder even where concerns remain about the position of the ISP in the proposed model. 4.4 The consultation raised concerns in relation to: • First‑floor location, including safety, evacuation, lack of outdoor access and movement through busy areas. • Risk to existing provision of support for ASN if staffing or resources are redirected to the ISP. • Capacity concerns, including loss of specialist rooms and impact of relocating departments. • Potential disruption to mainstream learning, affecting timetabling, specialist rooms and exams. • Issues with limited outdoor space, with concerns the ISP may reduce wider school access. 4.5 PKC have provided responses to the questions and concerns raised at Section 9 of the Consultation Report (Appendix A). The most significant concern related to the position of the proposed ISP on the first floor. This resulted in the decision to relocate the ISP to a ground‑floor area within the school.
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While this change improves accessibility, safety and suitability of the environment, it has increased the scale and complexity of the required building works, meaning the physical space for the ISP cannot be opened within Community School of Auchterarder for August 2026, as originally planned. To avoid delay in meeting identified needs of catchment children requiring intensive-level support, an interim hosting arrangement has been planned for the primary class. The ISP class with Community School of Auchterarder staff will be temporarily accommodated within Errol Primary School ISP until the permanent accommodation is available. This approach ensures continuity of relationships, planning and access to intensive support during the construction period. Full details of the interim and permanent arrangements, including location, facilities and governance, are set out in the Consultation Report (Appendix A). 4.6 The proposal to establish an ISP at Community School of Auchterarder 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 Additional Support Needs within Community School of Auchterarder from August 2026. The facilities and arrangements for the ISP are detailed in the Proposal Paper, however the location has been revised in response to feedback from the consultation. To enable completion of the required building works to deliver this, Community School of Auchterarder ISP staff will be recruited and will support the children placed in a class temporarily hosted in Errol Primary School. 6. Conclusion 6.1 The proposal to establish a new ISP at Community School of Auchterarder offers a sustainable and inclusive solution for the provision of education for children with complex ASN within the Community School of Auchterarder catchment. 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 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, highlighting its alignment with national expectations around inclusion and the presumption of mainstreaming.
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6.3 In response to points raised in the consultation, PKC has clarified 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. It has also responded to feedback on the proposed position of the ISP, revising the plan to provide a ground floor alternative, whilst recognising the increased building work required to deliver this. 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 (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 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. 8. Appendix 8.1 Appendix A – Consultation Report (Community School of Auchterarder)