Proposed Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) at Stow Heath Primary School

Results updated 19 Mar 2026

Final Decision on the Proposed Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) at Stow Heath Primary School

On 18 March 2026, the Cabinet of the City of Wolverhampton Council considered the outcome of consultation and approved the establishment of a Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) at Stow Heath Primary School.

The 20 place Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) will support children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), effective from January 2028

The CIRB was approved to enable the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory duty to ensure the sufficiency of school places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Stow Heath Primary School is being rebuilt through the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. As part of this project, sufficient specialist facilities that will help meet the needs of the children have been planned within the new school building for the CIRB.  

Certain bodies have the right to appeal against decisions regarding prescribed alterations to educational provision. Those bodies with a right of appeal are the local Church of England Diocese and the local Roman Catholic Diocese. An appeals period of 4 weeks will now commence until 15 April 2026.

If you have any queries, please contact the School Organisation Team at school.organisation@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Files:

Closed 8 Feb 2026

Opened 12 Jan 2026

Contact

School.organisation@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Overview

On 26 October 2025, Initial Consultation on the proposal to establish a Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School concluded.  Following this, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education and the Executive Director of Families reviewed the outcomes of initial consultation and determined that Formal Consultation (Representation) should commence for this proposal.  

It is proposed that a 20 place Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB), be established at Stow Heath Primary School which will support the increased demand for specialist places. This includes children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who may have difficulty in communicating with others.

Why your views matter

Demand for specialist school places has risen significantly in recent years and there has been an increase in the number of children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP). Following the Covid pandemic, younger children are presenting with more complex needs and require suitable provision to support their education. At present Speech Language and Communication (SLC) is the most common primary need for children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to be a common primary need. 

We are seeking your comments/feedback on the proposed Resource Base.

Formal consultation on the proposed Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) at Stow Heath Primary School commenced on 12 January 2026 and runs until 8 February 2026.

For further information please see related documents below.

What happens next

All comments will be considered and the proposal to establish a Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School will go to Cabinet on 18 March 2026 for a final decision.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Children / Young People
  • Councillors / MPs / MEPs
  • Parents, Carers and Guardians
  • Teaching / Educational staff

Interests

  • Education and children's services
  • Fair and equal
  • Schools
  • Strong families where children grow up well and achieve their full potential