Decision details

Secondary Mainstream School Expansions Update

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

The LA will be unable to meet its statutory duties of sufficiency for secondary mainstream & SEND places for future years due to the increasing demand within the southwest of the city and also city wide relating to SEND.

 

Allocation of future Basic Need funding (secured from the DfE) combined with additional corporate resource support to address the increasing demand on secondary mainstream places in the southwest of the city and the development of integrated resources to support the SEND strategy.

 

Ensure that the LA meets its statutory duties of sufficiency for secondary mainstream & SEND places for future years and provide sufficient local school places for all pupils in its area to improve pupil outcomes.

 

Decision:

16.1

The report outlined the position relating to mainstream secondary school & Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) places in Sheffield over the coming years. The report also highlighted the capital funding pressures relating to the delivery of statutory duties in relation to the provision of mainstream and SEND places.

 

The purpose of the report was to seek Co-operative Executive approval for the use of Basic Need funding, alongside corporate financial support, to address the pressures on school places to deliver permanent and temporary secondary provision. This would include the potential expansion of two secondary schools in the southwest (SW) of the city and temporary expansions in specific parts of the city. This would also include the development of five integrated resources (IRs) to support an increase in SEND places.

 

 

16.2

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

 

 

    1.         In relation to the proposed expansion projects at Silverdale and King Ecgbert Schools:

  1. note the recommendations on the Capital Approvals report (elsewhere on the agenda) to proceed with the projects at an anticipated total cost of £12.8 million, and

b. approve that any shortfall from government funding allocations be met from the Corporate Investment Fund;

 

  1. Approve the use of Basic Needs funding to develop options to meet the pressure on secondary school places in specific parts of the city in 2023/24, with any shortfall from government funding allocations to be met from the Corporate Investment Fund; and

 

    3.         Approve £1 million Corporate Investment Fund cash flow funding for the development of five integrated resources (IRs) to support an increase in SEND places.

 

 

16.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

16.3.1

The preferred option is to:

 

  1. In relation to the proposed expansion projects at Silverdale and King Ecgbert Schools:
  1. note the recommendations on the Capital Approvals report (elsewhere on the agenda) to proceed with the projects at an anticipated total cost of £12.8 million, and
  2. approve that any shortfall from government funding allocations be met from the Corporate Investment Fund; 
  1. Approve the use of Basic Needs funding to develop options to meet the pressure on secondary school places in specific parts of the city in 2023/24, with any shortfall from government funding allocations to be met from the Corporate Investment Fund;
  2. Approve £1 million Corporate Investment Fund cash flow funding for the development of five integrated resources (IRs) to support an increase in SEND places.

 

 

16.3.2

The above has been chosen because it helps ensure that the Authority’s statutory duties relating to mainstream and SEND place are met, improves outcomes for pupils in the southwest of the city and also offers the potential to recoup funds through the sale of caretaker properties across the city.

 

 

16.3.3

The intended outcomes are:

  • Development of permanent and temporary secondary provision in the city by utilising future Basic Need funding to meet statutory duties
  • Development of IR provision to support the SEND strategy across the city
  • Reimburse the corporate investment through the sale of caretaker properties

 

 

16.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

16.4.1

Do nothing

 

This option has been ruled out as the LA would be in breach of its statutory duties under the Education Act to ensure sufficient school places, promote parental choice, diversity and fair access & also its statutory duties to secure the special educational provision specified in an EHCP pursuant to section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

 

 

16.4.2

SW schools offer places above current admission numbers

 

This will involve negotiating with SW schools to accommodate the shortfall of places. Schools may be provided with Growth Funding as they have agreed to offer above current admission numbers on a temporary basis to provide a flexible solution that meets the Year 7 demand in the short term. This may reduce the threat of overcapacity in later years towards end of the decade also. However, SW schools will not be able to absorb the increasing demand over the next decade within existing accommodation as they are already near full capacity due to compounding effect of offering places above Pupil Admission Number the past few years. Health & Safety concerns around overall building capacity – corridor space etc - have also been highlighted to the Authority. There is a high risk that the Authority will be unable to fulfil its statutory duties if the required places are not offered by the SW schools.

 

 

16.4.3

City wide allocation

 

This would involve allocating pupils who are unable to obtain a place at a local school to travel outside of their local area/catchment to access a place in other parts of the city where places are available. This would keep a tight system as city moves into a surplus in future years and reduces need to invest substantial capital funding.

 

However, this could have a disproportionate impact on families. SW schools will have a less balanced socio-economic intake as children from deprived inner-city areas in the SW may miss out on admission to SW schools. This risks significant appeals from parents and puts pressure on schools outside of SW. If parents are successful on appeal, SW schools risk unplanned numbers through this process and have a further compounding effect on the overall capacity of the school. This would also have a greater level of impact on transport, impact on environment, cost for LA to transport these pupils out of area and cost to parents.

 

 

16.4.4

Independent school placement

 

Alternative options for SEND would involve placing children and young people in special school instead. This would likely result in increased high-cost independent placements, as some children and young people would not be able to be accommodated, due to limited capacity in the special school sector. 

 

 

16.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

16.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

16.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Executive Director, People Services

 

 

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Children, Young People and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee 

 

Report author: Nicola Shearstone

Publication date: 18/03/2022

Date of decision: 16/03/2022

Decided at meeting: 16/03/2022 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 25/03/2022

Accompanying Documents: