We Were Delighted to Attend the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum's SEND Information Fair

We had an amazing time at the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum's SEND Information Fair on Monday, 10th February! This fantastic event brought together families, carers, and professionals, all committed to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our colleagues, Anna and Michael, were busy throughout the day, welcoming a steady stream of engaged parents, carers, and professionals to our stand. It was a fantastic opportunity to introduce the plans for the new Gloucestershire special school, set to be built at a site off Wheatridge in Abbeydale, and connect with prospective families. You can read more about the approval here.

With the Trust having been appointed by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to run the new 200-place special school, Anna and Michael were eager to attend the event to hear directly from local parents and carers. Community engagement is vital in shaping the development of the new school, ensuring it meets the needs of the children and families it will serve. The event also provided a great platform to introduce Reach South, share our vision, and highlight the opportunities the new school will bring.

The enthusiasm and interest from families were truly inspiring, and we had so many valuable discussions throughout the day. Some key themes emerged, reinforcing the importance of accessible, high-quality SEND education and the ongoing challenges families face in securing suitable placements.

A huge thank you to the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum for hosting such an insightful and meaningful event. We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to support the SEND community!