Lansdowne Primary School has officially opened its new Specialist Resource Provision (SRP), creating additional specialist places for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) in Sittingbourne and the wider Swale district.
Known as The Nest, the provision welcomed its first pupils this September and represents an exciting new chapter in the school’s commitment to inclusive education. The SRP has been established to support children through a calm, nurturing and personalised environment, enabling them to access specialist support while remaining part of a thriving mainstream school community.
The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Rachel Sullivan, Headteacher of Lansdowne Primary School, alongside The Mayor of Swale, Cllr Derek Carnell. Parents, KCC representatives, and invited guests joined the celebrations, marking a significant milestone for SEND provision in Sittingbourne.
Commissioned by Kent County Council, The Nest will provide up to 20 specialist places for children from Reception to Year 6. The provision received £80,000 in capital funding and forms part of the county’s wider strategy to increase specialist capacity and improve local access to support for children with additional needs, ensuring more pupils can receive the help they need closer to home.
Rachel Sullivan, Headteacher of Lansdowne Primary School, said:
“This is a truly special day for our school, our families and our wider community. For many years, Lansdowne has been proud to serve the children and families of Sittingbourne, providing an inclusive education where every child is valued and supported. Today marks an exciting new chapter in that journey. Through our SRP, we now have the opportunity to reach even more families and ensure that more children can access the specialist support they need while remaining part of a thriving mainstream school community.
We are incredibly proud of what has been created and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on children and families for years to come.”
The provision combines specialist expertise with the benefits of a mainstream setting, enabling pupils to access personalised support while remaining connected to the wider school community. Children attending The Nest will benefit from specialist interventions, communication support, sensory approaches and tailored learning opportunities designed around their individual strengths and needs.
The Stour Academy Trust brings significant experience in SEND provision, with expertise already established across its family of schools. Earlier this month, the Trust celebrated the opening of a new Specialist Resource Provision at Richmond Primary School on the Isle of Sheppey. Together, the two provisions represent a significant expansion of specialist support across the Trust, creating more opportunities for children with additional needs to access high-quality education within their local communities.
Both SRP’s have been established in response to Kent County Council’s commitment to increasing specialist capacity and improving local access to SEND provision. By opening these new provisions, more children and families across Swale and Sheppey can benefit from specialist support closer to home, reducing the need for longer journeys and helping pupils remain connected to their local communities.
Lansdowne Primary School is holding an Early Years Open Evening on Thursday 5th November at 5pm for parents with children starting school in September 2027, you can visit their website for further information.
