As part of the Borough SEN Strategy and Implementation Plan for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Primary provision, Bowden House Special School and Ben Jonson Primary Schools have formed a partnership to jointly run a Social Emotional Mental Health provision, on the Ben Jonson site. This partnership would enhance the educational offer for both schools and benefit all Tower Hamlets children with SEMH needs.

This report presents the outcome of the stage one consultation, and the public representations received in response to the statutory Notice on the proposal to establish a 12 place Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision at Ben Jonson School from September 2021
It also presents the outcome of the public representation received in response to the statutory notice on the proposal for a prescribed alteration to Bowden House School and Ben Jonson School, to establish a 12 place Special Educational Needs provision from September 2021.

The report explains the background and reasons for the proposals; the links with the possible closure of Cherry Trees School. It details the consultations undertaken; the responses received with the views of parents, pupils, staff and the general public. It recommends for the Mayor in Cabinet to consider the decision on whether or not the council should agree the proposal and formally proceed with plans to establish a 12 place Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision at Ben Jonson School from 1st September 2021, and the prescribed alteration to Bowden House School, to establish a 12 place co-educational, primary, non-residential, Special Educational Needs provision from September 2021 on the Ben Jonson site. The two provisions will be integrated.


The report will include equalities impact assessment; risk and opportunities; officer’s recommendations; decisions available to the Mayor in Cabinet.