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

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Proposal

The London Borough of Harrow proposes to expand educational need provision by increasing the current SEND provision at Grange by an additional 6 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 from the current 648 pupil places to 654 pupil places.

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 learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Harrow Council is proposing to increase specialist provision at Grange Primary School for pupils to accommodate 6 places for pupils who have severe learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of the provision is part of a long-term strategy to increase special school provision in Harrow.

The aim of the provision is to develop a clear ethos throughout the whole school that promotes inclusion, high expectations and a commitment to improve outcomes for pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties.

The provision will offer inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in class support. There will be 24 places at the provision and staffing to support these pupils.


The additional places at the ARMS provision are required from September 2026. The provision will offer inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in-class support.

Pupils attending the resourced provision will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive the 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 provision will require additional and suitable accommodation to create an appropriate teaching and learning environment. An area within the school has been identified and a scope of works outlined. These include refurbishment works to an existing part of the school to develop new teaching rooms, group rooms and a sensory room. The required building works will be funded from the Special Provision Capital Fund provided by the government.

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


The proposal is to expand the ARMS provision at Grange Primary School to a total of 24 places, comprising:

  • 6 places for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)
  • 18 places for pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)


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

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 the resourced provision at Grange Primary School. The comments received were positive and demonstrated support for the provision. 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 moderate and severe learning difficulties. 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”.

Grange Primary School is judged as 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


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

Grange Primary School already has an ARMS provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Harrow. The proposal is to expand this provision to include 6 places for children with server learning difficulties. 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. Belmont Primary School has an ARMs provision for pupils with SLD and or autism which we are a so increasing. 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 provision at Grange Primary School for pupils who have moderate learning difficulties and/or autism will be established 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 educational need provision by increasing the current SEND provision at Grange by an additional 6 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 from the current 648 pupil places to 654 pupil places.

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 learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Harrow Council is proposing to increase specialist provision at Grange Primary School for pupils to accommodate 6 places for pupils who have severe learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of the provision is part of a long-term strategy to increase special school provision in Harrow.

The aim of the provision is to develop a clear ethos throughout the whole school that promotes inclusion, high expectations and a commitment to improve outcomes for pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties.

The provision will offer inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in class support. There will be 24 places at the provision and staffing to support these pupils.


The additional places at the ARMS provision are required from September 2026. The provision will offer inclusive education and social opportunities, alongside access to specialist intervention from teaching staff and in-class support.

Pupils attending the resourced provision will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive the 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 provision will require additional and suitable accommodation to create an appropriate teaching and learning environment. An area within the school has been identified and a scope of works outlined. These include refurbishment works to an existing part of the school to develop new teaching rooms, group rooms and a sensory room. The required building works will be funded from the Special Provision Capital Fund provided by the government.

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


The proposal is to expand the ARMS provision at Grange Primary School to a total of 24 places, comprising:

  • 6 places for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD)
  • 18 places for pupils with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)


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

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 the resourced provision at Grange Primary School. The comments received were positive and demonstrated support for the provision. 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 moderate and severe learning difficulties. 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”.

Grange Primary School is judged as 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


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

Grange Primary School already has an ARMS provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (SLD) and/or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in Harrow. The proposal is to expand this provision to include 6 places for children with server learning difficulties. 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. Belmont Primary School has an ARMs provision for pupils with SLD and or autism which we are a so increasing. 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 provision at Grange Primary School for pupils who have moderate learning difficulties and/or autism will be established 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, 05:19 PM