Earlier this year my Department considered an application from the school in question for the introduction of a transition year programme for a number of its pupils. The school caters for pupils with physical and multiple disabilities, up to the age of 18 years.
In certain circumstances, such as in the case of pupils studying for State examinations, my Department may sanction an additional year in a special school. However, it is generally the case that where suitable alternative educational provision is available, an additional year would not be sanctioned.
The proposal put forward by the school centred on an additional year for five particular students who would normally have left at the end of the last school year. However, as there is a vocational training centre on the same campus and the programme being proposed for the pupils in question was similar to that available in the vocational training centre, it was decided that the introduction of a transition year programme as proposed would be a duplication of existing supports.
I should point out, however, that three of the five pupils involved in the original application were subsequently granted an additional year in the school based on an assessment of their individual special educational needs.