Consultation on Proposed Changes at Walsall Studio School and The Ladder School

Our Trust has two schools located at our St Matthews Campus in Walsall Town Centre; Walsall Studio School and Sixth and The Ladder School (Alternative Provision (AP) Free School) which are both successful schools, judged Good in all areas by Ofsted.

Although based on the same campus, each school serves a different student cohort, with different leaders and different staff.   Both schools, separately, are growing and we are writing to inform you of proposed significant changes at both Walsall Studio School and The Ladder School.

As one Trust we are proposing changes for our schools in a joint consultation with you.  We are doing this to provide an efficient way for you to share your views with us.  However, please note that the proposed changes are unique to each school.

As part of our commitment to providing high-quality education we are consulting on the following:

New provision for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who benefit from a small studio school environment.

• Opening a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) at Walsall Studio School: This provision will support students with SEND, offering tailored resources and support. Establishing this SRP will enable students who would benefit the most to gain more personalised support from specialist staff in an inclusive, small studio school environment.  

Expanding provision for students who have been permanently excluded from mainstream, or who are at risk of exclusion.

• Increasing the Capacity of The Ladder School (AP Free School): This change will mean we can enhance our alternative provision offer and provide more alternative provision places for secondary school students throughout Walsall. We will be able to work with more students at risk of exclusion to prevent permanent exclusion and more students who have been permanently excluded to provide the most appropriate alternative education and support.

We value your input and invite you to participate in this consultation process.  Please use the links below:

• Read more about our proposals
• Complete the consultation form

For more information, please attend one of the online consultation meetings using the links provided below.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 23rd May 2025.

Sincerely,

Dan Parkes
CEO