Proposed expansion of Additionally Resourced Mainstream (ARMS) Provision at Belmont School

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Proposal

The London Borough of Harrow proposes to expand the educational need provision by expanding the current SEND provision at Belmont School by an additional 24 places. These places are in addition to the published admission number of 90 places per year group and 630 in total. Total pupil numbers at the school would increase to 666 pupil places. Additional resources and buildings works will be carried out to support the school to meet the special educational needs of the additional pupils.

Description of alteration and evidence of demand

Like many London Boroughs, Harrow is experiencing an increase in demand for special school places. In Harrow there is provision for pupils with special educational needs in a range of settings including mainstream schools, additionally resourced mainstream school settings, and special schools. Some pupils also attend schools outside of Harrow. Harrow is experiencing a growing and changing population and there is increasing pressure on the current provision for primary pupils with severe and complex special educational needs. A shortfall of local provision increases the costs of placements at provision outside the borough.

Locally, Harrow has experienced an increase in the number of pupils with SEND, particularly those with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). There has been a 64% increase in the number of EHCPs from 2019 to 2025, with a 13% increase in the calendar years 2024 to 2025. All the local specialist provision is at capacity and there are larger numbers of out of borough placements being made, at significant cost. This represents continued pressure and demand for more special school places.

To meet the increase in demand for provision for pupils with severe and complex needs, Harrow Council is proposing to increase specialist provision at Belmont School for pupils who have severe and complex learning difficulties and/or autism. This is in accordance London Borough of Harrow’s SENDAP strategy for 2024-29 which sets out how the council will help support Harrow’s young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It has five priorities which sets out how the borough’s children and young people continue to thrive, learn and reach their full potential. This proposal aligns with “Children and young people have a place in an educational setting that is right for them” and also is supported by the proposed SEND reforms. The aim of the provision is to build on the fully embed ethos throughout the whole school that promotes inclusion, high expectations and a commitment to improve outcomes for pupils with severe learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

The current provision offers inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in class support. There are already 12 places at the provision and 4-6 staff. The total number of places will increase to 36 places with additional staffing to support the needs of the pupils.

Pupils attending the resourced provision will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive special educational support they require from appropriately qualified staff. Any additional services from partner agencies, where required as specified on their EHC plan will also be provided.

The increased ARMS provision is required from 1 September 2026.

Belmont School will receive additional funding for the increased numbers in the unit.

Consultation

A pre-consultation was undertaken on the proposals with parents and stakeholders during June 2026 seeking the views of residents on proposals to increase resourced provision at Belmont School. The comments received were positive. This is a further opportunity for interested parties to comment on these proposals.

Objectives (including how the proposal would increase educational standards and parental choice)

The objective of the proposals is to provide sufficient school places in Harrow for primary school aged pupils with severe learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). To increase the provision to deal with demand right now and any future demand locally. This supports London Borough of Harrow’s SENDAP strategy for 2024-29 which sets out how the council will help support Harrow’s young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It has five priorities which sets out how the borough’s children and young people continue to thrive, learn and reach their full potential. This proposal aligns with “Children and young people have a place in an educational setting that is right for them”.

The school is judged to be Good by Ofsted. By increasing SEN places at a mainstream school in Harrow, it will increase the choice of options available to parents who have children with SEN.

Key Features of the expanded provision

  • The expanded ARMS will continue to provide an inclusive learning environment with access to specialist teaching, interventions, and tailored support.
  • All pupils in the ARMS will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
  • The school will receive appropriate additional funding to meet the needs of the expanded provision.
  • Additional accommodation and refurbishment works will be undertaken to ensure suitable learning spaces, including:
    • Specialist teaching rooms
    • Small group rooms
    • Sensory spaces
    • Toilets and hygiene facilities appropriate for SLD pupils

Rationale

This expansion aims to:

  • Meet growing need for local specialist places
  • Reduce reliance on out-of-borough placements
  • Strengthen inclusive education pathways
  • Ensure parental choice and close-to-home provision

The effect on other schools, academies and educational institutions within the area

Belmont School already has an ARMS provision for pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Harrow. The demand of these places is increasing. Woodlands School is a special school for pupils aged 4-11 with severe and complex needs some with autism and this is the only special school in Harrow that meets this need for primary pupils. Places in schools in other local authorities are limited and difficult to secure, particularly in the climate of increased demand. There is a growing need for additional places. Therefore, the opening of the ARMS provision would help relieve pressure and help provide choice for school places for pupils with these needs in the area.

Project costs and indication of how these will be met, including how long-term value for money will be achieved

The additional works required to accommodate the increase in ARMS provision has been agreed with the school and was determined by the needs of the pupils.

This work will be funded from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation grant provided by the DfE to ensure there are sufficient good school places for those with SEND. LAs can use the funding to improve and expand special provision for children with EHCPs in mainstream and special schools, nurseries, colleges and other provision.

The London Borough of Harrow has been allocated a capital grant for 2026/27 of £5.6m.

These additional borough places will secure improved use of resources and reduce the reliance on independent school places and avoid additional out borough transport costs and enable pupils to attend a school in Harrow.

Implementation and any proposed stages for implementation

It is proposed that specialist expanded provision at Belmont for pupils who have severe and complex learning difficulties and/or autism will be made permanent with effect from 1 September 2026.

A statement explaining the procedure for responses: support; objections and comments.

Have your say, if you want to tell us about whether you support the proposal or have comments or you may have reasons to object. Your representations can be made in writing to:

Emma Harkin, Director of Education, London Borough of Harrow, Forward Drive, Harrow, HA3 8FL or by emailing: SchoolReorganisation@harrow.gov.uk or by emailing: SchoolReorganisation@harrow.gov.uk

Responses need to be submitted by 5pm on 7 August 2026.

Proposal

The London Borough of Harrow proposes to expand the educational need provision by expanding the current SEND provision at Belmont School by an additional 24 places. These places are in addition to the published admission number of 90 places per year group and 630 in total. Total pupil numbers at the school would increase to 666 pupil places. Additional resources and buildings works will be carried out to support the school to meet the special educational needs of the additional pupils.

Description of alteration and evidence of demand

Like many London Boroughs, Harrow is experiencing an increase in demand for special school places. In Harrow there is provision for pupils with special educational needs in a range of settings including mainstream schools, additionally resourced mainstream school settings, and special schools. Some pupils also attend schools outside of Harrow. Harrow is experiencing a growing and changing population and there is increasing pressure on the current provision for primary pupils with severe and complex special educational needs. A shortfall of local provision increases the costs of placements at provision outside the borough.

Locally, Harrow has experienced an increase in the number of pupils with SEND, particularly those with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). There has been a 64% increase in the number of EHCPs from 2019 to 2025, with a 13% increase in the calendar years 2024 to 2025. All the local specialist provision is at capacity and there are larger numbers of out of borough placements being made, at significant cost. This represents continued pressure and demand for more special school places.

To meet the increase in demand for provision for pupils with severe and complex needs, Harrow Council is proposing to increase specialist provision at Belmont School for pupils who have severe and complex learning difficulties and/or autism. This is in accordance London Borough of Harrow’s SENDAP strategy for 2024-29 which sets out how the council will help support Harrow’s young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It has five priorities which sets out how the borough’s children and young people continue to thrive, learn and reach their full potential. This proposal aligns with “Children and young people have a place in an educational setting that is right for them” and also is supported by the proposed SEND reforms. The aim of the provision is to build on the fully embed ethos throughout the whole school that promotes inclusion, high expectations and a commitment to improve outcomes for pupils with severe learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

The current provision offers inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in class support. There are already 12 places at the provision and 4-6 staff. The total number of places will increase to 36 places with additional staffing to support the needs of the pupils.

Pupils attending the resourced provision will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive special educational support they require from appropriately qualified staff. Any additional services from partner agencies, where required as specified on their EHC plan will also be provided.

The increased ARMS provision is required from 1 September 2026.

Belmont School will receive additional funding for the increased numbers in the unit.

Consultation

A pre-consultation was undertaken on the proposals with parents and stakeholders during June 2026 seeking the views of residents on proposals to increase resourced provision at Belmont School. The comments received were positive. This is a further opportunity for interested parties to comment on these proposals.

Objectives (including how the proposal would increase educational standards and parental choice)

The objective of the proposals is to provide sufficient school places in Harrow for primary school aged pupils with severe learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). To increase the provision to deal with demand right now and any future demand locally. This supports London Borough of Harrow’s SENDAP strategy for 2024-29 which sets out how the council will help support Harrow’s young people to live happy and fulfilling lives. It has five priorities which sets out how the borough’s children and young people continue to thrive, learn and reach their full potential. This proposal aligns with “Children and young people have a place in an educational setting that is right for them”.

The school is judged to be Good by Ofsted. By increasing SEN places at a mainstream school in Harrow, it will increase the choice of options available to parents who have children with SEN.

Key Features of the expanded provision

  • The expanded ARMS will continue to provide an inclusive learning environment with access to specialist teaching, interventions, and tailored support.
  • All pupils in the ARMS will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
  • The school will receive appropriate additional funding to meet the needs of the expanded provision.
  • Additional accommodation and refurbishment works will be undertaken to ensure suitable learning spaces, including:
    • Specialist teaching rooms
    • Small group rooms
    • Sensory spaces
    • Toilets and hygiene facilities appropriate for SLD pupils

Rationale

This expansion aims to:

  • Meet growing need for local specialist places
  • Reduce reliance on out-of-borough placements
  • Strengthen inclusive education pathways
  • Ensure parental choice and close-to-home provision

The effect on other schools, academies and educational institutions within the area

Belmont School already has an ARMS provision for pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Harrow. The demand of these places is increasing. Woodlands School is a special school for pupils aged 4-11 with severe and complex needs some with autism and this is the only special school in Harrow that meets this need for primary pupils. Places in schools in other local authorities are limited and difficult to secure, particularly in the climate of increased demand. There is a growing need for additional places. Therefore, the opening of the ARMS provision would help relieve pressure and help provide choice for school places for pupils with these needs in the area.

Project costs and indication of how these will be met, including how long-term value for money will be achieved

The additional works required to accommodate the increase in ARMS provision has been agreed with the school and was determined by the needs of the pupils.

This work will be funded from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation grant provided by the DfE to ensure there are sufficient good school places for those with SEND. LAs can use the funding to improve and expand special provision for children with EHCPs in mainstream and special schools, nurseries, colleges and other provision.

The London Borough of Harrow has been allocated a capital grant for 2026/27 of £5.6m.

These additional borough places will secure improved use of resources and reduce the reliance on independent school places and avoid additional out borough transport costs and enable pupils to attend a school in Harrow.

Implementation and any proposed stages for implementation

It is proposed that specialist expanded provision at Belmont for pupils who have severe and complex learning difficulties and/or autism will be made permanent with effect from 1 September 2026.

A statement explaining the procedure for responses: support; objections and comments.

Have your say, if you want to tell us about whether you support the proposal or have comments or you may have reasons to object. Your representations can be made in writing to:

Emma Harkin, Director of Education, London Borough of Harrow, Forward Drive, Harrow, HA3 8FL or by emailing: SchoolReorganisation@harrow.gov.uk or by emailing: SchoolReorganisation@harrow.gov.uk

Responses need to be submitted by 5pm on 7 August 2026.

Page last updated: 13 Jul 2026, 10:08 AM