New specialist base at Muscliff Primary supports children with SEMH needs

A dedicated new unit for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs has opened at Muscliff Primary School in Poole, giving local families access to specialist provision closer to home.

Known as The Beacon, the base opened in September 2026 and is designed to offer a safe, nurturing environment where children can build confidence and resilience while staying connected to their school community. Support is tailored to each child's individual needs and is shaped around Muscliff Primary's core values of resilience, kindness, aspiration, curiosity and responsibility.

The Beacon is one of the first tangible outcomes of BCP Council's recently approved SEND Reform Plan, which aims to improve access to specialist support across the area without requiring children to travel long distances from their local schools and communities.

For families in the Muscliff area — and across Poole more broadly — the opening signals a shift towards more neighbourhood-based SEND provision rather than reliance on specialist schools that may be further afield. Parents seeking more information about The Beacon or the council's wider SEND offer are encouraged to contact BCP Council's SEND team directly. Full details are available on the BCP Council website.