SEND Mainstream Funding Cluster Model – Cluster groupings 2025-2026 Academic Year
Draft Cluster groupings and dates
Cluster 1
- Redbridge Community College
- Oasis Academy Lordshill (Back up Host)
- Fairisle Infant & Nursery School
- Fairisle Junior School
- Newlands Primary School
- Redbridge Primary School
- Shirley Warren Primary & Nursery School
- Mansel Park Primary School
- Oakwood Primary School (Host)
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
7/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
2/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
27/1/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
17/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
5/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
30/6/26 |
Cluster 2
- Regents Park Community College
- St Marks Chruch of England School
- Banister Primary School
- Foundry Lane Primary School
- Freemantle CE Community Academy
- St John’s Primary and Nursey School
- Tanners Brook Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
8/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
3/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
28/1/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
18/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
6/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
1/7/26 |
Cluster 3
- Cantell School
- Bassett Green Primary School
- Bevois Town Primary School
- Mansbridge Primary School
- Maytree Nursey & Infant School
- Mount Pleasant Junior School (Host)
- Highfield CE Primary School
- Swaythling Primary School
- Portswood Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
9/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
4/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
29/1/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
19/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
7/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
2/7/26 |
Cluster 4
- Bitterne Park School (Host)
- Townhill Infant School
- Townhill Junior School
- Hope Community School
- Bitterne Park Primary School
- Moorlands Primary School
- St Denys Primary School
- Glenfield Infant School
- Beechwood Junior School
- Bitterne Manor Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
14/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
9/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
3/2/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
24/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
19/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
7/7/26 |
Cluster 5
- St Anne’s Catholic School
- St George Catholic College
- Springhill catholic Primary School
- St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School
- Bitterne C of E Primary School (Host)
- St Mary’s C of E Primary School
- Mason Moor Primary School
- Valentine Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
9/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
4/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
29/1/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
19/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
7/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
2/7/26 |
Cluster 6
- Upper Shirley High School
- Hollybrook Infant School
- Hollybrook Junior School
- Shirley Infant School
- Shirley Junior School
- Wordsworth Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
14/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
9/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
3/2/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
24/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
19/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
7/7/26 |
Cluster 7
- Oasis Academy Sholing
- Weston Secondary School
- Weston Shore Infant School
- Weston Park Primary School (Host)
- Sholing Infant School
- Sholing Junior School
- Woolston Infant School
- Ludlow Infant School
- Ludlow Junior School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
16/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
11/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
5/2/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
26/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
21/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
9/7/26 |
Cluster 8
- Woodlands Community College (Host)
- Oasis Academy Mayfield
- Thornhill Primary School
- Hightown Primary School
- Kanes Hill Primary School
- Harefield Primary School
- St Monica Primary School
| Term |
Dates |
| AUTUMN 1 |
16/10/25 |
| AUTUMN 2 |
11/12/25 |
| SPRING 1 |
5/2/26 |
| SPRING 2 |
26/3/26 |
| SUMMER 1 |
21/5/26 |
| SUMMER 2 |
9/7/26 |
Principles for SEND cluster formation (for management of devolved HN funding)
Works best if:
Relatively small number of schools (8-10 average)
- Trust/relationships
- Manageable process
Includes both primary and secondary
- Supports phase transition/planning for pupils
Similar pupil population size
- Supports more equitable distribution of funding
- Similar economies of scale
Locality-based
- Enables local peer support/visits to other schools to observe practice etc
- Links with local services/extended team
Diverse range of schools (big/small; demographic differences)
- Addresses relativity issues
- Better understanding of contextual factors
Variation in levels of confidence/expertise
- Mutual support/challenge
- Strengthening of overall offer
Inclusive of all schools
- Opportunities to share practice with other settings
- Developing relationships with schools in your local areas
Cluster design will need to be pragmatic and take into account as many of these considerations as possible. No groupings will be perfect – just need for ‘best fit’
