Parents of children at the Kennet Valley Primary School Resource Base in Calcot have criticised how the school and West Berkshire Council are running the special educational needs SEMH unit, saying promises made since it opened in September 2024 have not been kept and communication is poor.
The unit was temporarily closed in February because of staffing problems, with management taken over by the West Berkshire Council executive lead for children’s services. About 10 children were affected.
Parents say they do not know when their children will be back in full-time education and have been given little practical information about timetables or plans for improving the provision.
“My son started in September 2025 and none of the types approaches offered have been in place since he started,” said Saffy Charles.
Parents say some children are only being offered three hours a day in the Resource Base. “Children are currently being offered only three hours per day of provision, with some attending in the morning and others in the afternoon.” Families add that a lunch break further reduces learning time and that sudden changes are increasing anxiety, emotional distress, school refusal and regression in some pupils.
Families are also worried about the effect on existing EHCPs and how the funding attached to those plans — and any additional streams such as Pupil Premium — is being used. “EHCPs set out the support children are legally entitled to receive, yet many families feel that the support outlined in these plans is currently not being delivered.” Some parents say they are considering formal complaints, including contacting the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Executive headteacher Jessica Davies said: “Our priority is ensuring that every child in the Resource Base receives safe, consistent support and a positive, purposeful learning experience.” She added: “Temporary leadership arrangements have recently been put in place to provide additional capacity and oversight, and work is underway with specialist professionals to further develop the structure, routines and curriculum within the Resource Base.”
Ms Davies also said: “We are also continuing to strengthen communication with families. A dedicated section of the school website has been created for Resource Base parents to provide regular updates and information, and we have recently held a parent meeting with senior leaders and the chair of governors to share developments and hear directly from families. Regular review points are now in place, and updates are being shared with parents.”
She added: “We recognise that this has been an unsettling time for some families, and we remain committed to working constructively with parents, staff, and the local authority to ensure the Resource Base continues to develop and provide the support pupils need.”
A West Berkshire Council spokesperson said it had worked with governors to take “appropriate and proportionate steps” so the unit would “operate safely, sustainably and with a clear focus on pupil wellbeing and continuity of provision”. “Our priority throughout has been the safety, wellbeing and educational continuity for children, alongside clear and compassionate communication with staff, pupils and families,” the council added.
The Kennet Valley Resource Base at the Carters Rise school officially opened in September 2024 as a specialised unit to support children with autism and/or SEMH needs.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
