Feedback Period Open to implement a resourced provision for pupils with SEN at Cottons Farm
28th November 2025
Dear Parents/Carers,
In October 2024 we wrote to you with our proposal to submit an application to the Department for Education to implement a resourced provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) at Cottons Farm Primary Academy from November 2024. The original consultation is included with this letter for your reference.
As part of this process, we were required to consult with parents and the local community to seek feedback. We were delighted to receive positive responses during that consultation. Following a review of the application process, we decided to place the application on hold while awaiting our Ofsted inspection. After the inspection in July 2025, Cottons Farm was graded Good in all areas.
We are now revisiting the application with the intention of submitting this in December 2025 with a view to implement from 1st February 2026. Before doing so, we would like to invite you to provide any further feedback for us to consider.
The number of places and offer within the proposal remains unchanged from the original consultation document.
If you have any questions or would like to comment on the proposal, then please the contact the Director of Education for the Harmony Trust Ltd using the following methods:
- In writing to Mrs J Hughes, Director of Education, The Harmony Trust Ltd, Cottons Farm Primary Academy, Sheridan Street, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 9HG
- or by email to info@theharmonytrust.org
As the original consultation process has been completed, this feedback period will be shorter. Please submit any comments by 5pm on Monday, 8th December 2025.
You are also welcome to discuss this with me directly if you prefer.
Regards
Mrs Patmore
Principal
ORIGINAL CONSULTATION DOCUMENT 25th October 2024
Dear Parents/Careers,
CONSULTATION DOCUMENT – Please read carefully
Proposed implementation of an Integrated Resource Unit for pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) at Cottons Farm Primary Academy, Sheridan Street, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 9HG
Introduction
Cottons Farm Primary Academy is proposing to make an application to the Department for Education to change the provision for SEND children and implement a SEND Integrated Resource Unit from November 2025.
As part of the consultation process and as part of the legal requirements, we are writing to parents and the local community to seek feedback regarding the proposed changes. The consultation process will end at 5pm on Tuesday 12th November 2024. Further details of the proposal is provided on the academy and the Harmony Trust website. The Harmony Trust will then consider comments received during the consultation period.
What is being proposed?
Cottons Farm Primary Academy currently has a pupil admission number of 20 children per year group. Under the proposals, this will remain unchanged. The change would be to offer additional SEND places in a mainstream school, which is known as additional resource provision. The 12 additional places created will be designated to the provision of SEND pupils with Educational Health Care Plans, these places will be for existing and additional pupils.
Cottons Farm Primary Academy provides support to our current SEND pupils using existing funding through the academy Inclusion Hub. The benefits of securing the funding and implementing the proposed change is that the academy will receive full funding for the places available to support the development of the service provided, creating further strong links between families, the community and the school and improved continuity of SEND educational provision resulting in better outcomes for the children.
The Local Authority supports Cottons Farm Primary Academy by providing funding to meet the place demand from the local community alongside supporting our future pupils and their families to access SEND provision in a mainstream school setting.
It is envisaged that there would be no negative impact on the academy, the children, the environment or the local community. It is also envisaged that due to the Local Authority population projection and analysis of provision requirements, there would be no impact to other similar local providers and the placement of children would remain a parental preference.
What do I need to do?
If you have any questions or would like to comment on the proposal, then please the contact the Director of Education for the Harmony Trust Ltd using the following methods:
- In writing to Miss J Hainsworth, Director of Education, The Harmony Trust Ltd, Cottons Farm Primary Academy, Sheridan Street, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 9HG
- or by email to info@theharmonytrust.org
Following the consultation period, the responses will be analysed carefully before any decisions are made by The Harmony Trust, regarding the proposals.
As always, my door is always open and if you would like to discuss anything please contact the school office to arrange an appointment.
Regards,
Mrs Patmore
Principal
