Community Consultation for Developing Mainstream SEND Hubs
Voyage Education Partnership has launched a formal consultation on proposals to establish SEND Hubs at Carlton Road Academy, Park Academy, and Staniland Academy, building on the existing inclusive provision already in place at each school.
The proposed hubs are designed to support pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), particularly those with needs relating to communication and interaction and cognition and learning. The aim is to enable more children to access high‑quality specialist support while remaining in mainstream education settings close to home.
Under the proposals, each hub would provide up to 10 commissioned places, alongside a small number of additional ‘transient’ places that schools could use flexibly to meet short‑term needs. All hubs are expected to open in Autumn Term 2026, subject to the outcome of consultation and final approvals.
Carlton Road Academy and Staniland Academy are each proposing up to two hubs, covering both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils, while Park Academy is proposing a single hub focused on early intervention and learning readiness.
The hubs would operate within existing school buildings, with adaptations made where needed. No new planning permission is required, as the proposals focus on modifying current spaces to create specialist learning environments, including regulation areas, intervention spaces and dedicated outdoor provision.
According to the proposal, the SEND Hubs will place strong emphasis on:
- developing communication and social interaction skills
- supporting emotional regulation and resilience
- building early learning behaviours and readiness for future education
- improving fine and gross motor skills for younger pupils
Children attending the hubs would continue to take part in wider school life, with opportunities to integrate into mainstream lessons, activities and whole‑school events wherever appropriate.
Specialist staff, trained to support pupils with additional needs, would provide enhanced levels of support within the hubs. The Trust says this approach will also benefit the wider school workforce through shared expertise and training opportunities.
The proposals align with Lincolnshire County Council’s strategy to develop specialist provision within mainstream schools, helping to reduce the need for children to travel long distances or attend out‑of‑area placements.
By increasing local capacity, the Trust aims to contribute to a county‑wide approach that ensures children with SEND are educated within their communities wherever possible, while still receiving the specialist support they require.
A three‑week public consultation began on 19 March 2026, inviting parents, carers and other stakeholders to share their views on the proposals. Feedback can be submitted by email to enquiries@voyage-education.org with the subject line SEND Hub Consultation.
All responses will be carefully considered before any final decisions are made.
Voyage Education Partnership has said the development of SEND Hubs represents an important step in strengthening inclusive education and ensuring that children with additional needs can thrive within their local schools and communities.