The deadline for consultation responses is 12pm noon on Monday 27th October 2025.
Why are we consulting?
Aim High Academy Trust and Gillas Lane Primary Academy want to know your views on a proposal to create an Additional Resource Provision (ARP) for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) at Gillas Lane Primary Academy. In Sunderland, there has been significant increase in children and young people with Education, Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and Special Educational Needs that require additional support. This upward trend in Sunderland is predicted to continue and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) data tells us that additional places need to be created to cater for children and young people with SEND. This proposal outlines plans to create an ARP for children with SEMH at Gillas Lane Primary Academy.
Background
Sunderland, like other local authorities, has seen a significant rise in the demand for SEND places. Given the increasing demand for SEND ARP places and the limited number of places currently available, there is a clear need to create more places within mainstream schools. During 2025, Sunderland Council and Together for Children approached Aim High Academy Trust and Gillas Lane Primary Academy to ask if we were interested in setting up and managing an ARP for children with SEND. This proposal sets out the plan to create one of the City's much needed SEND provisions at Gillas Lane Primary Academy from September 2026.
Our Proposal
This consultation seeks views from stakeholders on a proposal to create an Additional Resource Provision (ARP), for children with SEMH at Gillas Lane Primary Academy. Children allocated a place at the ARP will have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies SEMH as the primary need. Children will have access to specialist teaching and support within the ARP, as well as access to the mainstream school setting. If this proposal is agreed, the ARP will provide 16 places for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs from September 2026.
How will the ARP at Gillas Lane Primary Academy be organised?
Additional Resource Provisions specialise in providing focussed and specific education for SEND needs and will often have dedicated classrooms and other facilities within the school as well as qualified teaching and support staff. Children typically spend part of their time in the ARP and the remaining time with their mainstream peers in class. The staff will be newly employed to work with pupils within the provision, and will add to the fantastic support we are proud to provide all our pupils at Gillas Lane.
Who will manage the ARP?
The ARP will be the responsibility of Aim High Academy Trust and will be led by the Headteacher at Gillas Lane Primary Academy. Our expectations for the children's attendance and progress remains as high as for all children whom we are responsible.
Admissions to the ARP
The allocation of places for the ARP at Gillas Lane Primary Academy will be made by Together for Children on behalf of the Local Authority using agreed admissions criteria. Sixteen ARP places will be provided covering year groups Y1 to Y6. All children will have a verified diagnosis of SEMH made by appropriately qualified specialists as detailed under NICE guidelines. The ARP places will be in addition to the schools published Admissions Number (PAN).
When will the changes take place?
If the proposals are approved, it is expected that the ARP will open in September 2026.
Who makes the final decision on whether the ARP is opened?
Once the consultation period has ended, Aim High Academy Trust on behalf of Gillas Lane Primary Academy will need to submit a significant change variation application to the Department for Education (DFE) who will make the final decision.
What will happen if the ARP is delayed beyond September 2026?
If the proposals are approved, Together for Children on behalf of the Local Authority aims to deliver the ARP places by September 2026, subject to approval by the DFE, and works to the school buildings. If this timeline is not achieved, the ARP will open as soon as possible after this date.
How do I respond to this consultation?
You can state your views on this proposal online by clicking on the following link: Gillas Lane ARP Consultation Response From
If require a paper response form, please contact us by emailing mail@aimhigh.co.uk with your name and postal address.
If you choose to fill in a paper response, please hand it in to the office at Gillas Lane Primary Academy or send it via post to:
Miss Sarah Chapman
AHAT Central Team
Dubmire Primary Academy
Britannia Terrace
Fence Houses
DH4 6HL
The deadline for consultation responses is 12pm noon on Monday 27th October 2025.
