Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families submitted a report which outlined why more primary school places were needed across the City, the Council’s role in delivering new places, and the next steps required. The report particularly alluded to the significant growth in the pre-school population in the north-east of the City and to options for addressing this by identifying possible sites for a newly built primary school at Skinnerthorpe Road in the Burngreave/ Fir Vale area and at the former Watermead school site in the Southey/Longley/Shirecliffe area.

Prior to consideration of the report an amendment to wording of the report was reported in relation to paragraph 6.7 by the deletion of the sentence commencing “Secondly” in line 17 and its replacement with the following words:-

Secondly, we have discussed these plans with the Department for Communities and Local Government, to ensure they would support the proposal and waive any potential right to claw back funding, they have confirmed that:

“The Department will not seek to claw back the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) funds that were used to clear the Skinnerthorpe Road site.This is for the following reasons:

·        the funds were properly used in line with original approval to clear and prepare the site for redevelopment, and the deed variation for 2007-8 amended the Market Restructuring Agreement to allow HMR fundsto be used for regenerative activity within the area;

·        the provision of new housing and a school could be classed as regenerative activity; and

·        there will be no capital receipts arising from the site, as it will be leased to the Academy Trust for 125 years on peppercorn rent.”

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

authorises the Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning to work with the Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, and in respect of the Skinnerthorpe Road site in consultation with Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods and the Executive Director for Place, and to take all necessary steps to secure the additional primary school places;

(b)

approves the element of Basic Need funding required to enable recommendation (a) to be fulfilled on the Skinnerthorpe Road and Watermead sites; and

(c)

agrees that the Skinnerthorpe Road aspects of the Burngreave and Firvale Masterplan are no longer a material consideration in the planning process as far as they would be relevant  to the proposals of this report  

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

Having access to a good local primary school place is at the heart of ensuring successful outcomes for children and young people and making every area of Sheffield a great place to live.  With the new primary schools proposed in this report children in the north east of Sheffield will continue to be able to get a place at a school in their community.  The approach suggested would ensure a local voice within the new government framework.

9.3.2

In providing the places through new provision there are a number of key issues. The sponsor must have the strength and capacity to make the provision successful in terms of improving outcomes, the new places must work within and serve to strengthen the local family of schools, and the provision must start with confidence of local families.

9.3.3

In order to best meet the additional demand, make the most efficient use of resources and provide high quality primary school places, it is proposed that new buildings on the Skinnerthorpe Road site and the Watermead site are taken forward as the best locations for the new provision.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

One option would be to continue the expansion of existing schools.  As described within the report, the scale of the additional demand, the current challenges, the existing school sizes, and the school sites combine to offer a strong argument that we have reached the point where expansion is no longer sustainable in the areas described.

9.4.2

A second option would be to take a ‘free market’ approach.  The free schools programme could allow the Council to take a step back and see whether other providers come forward of their own volition to meet the demand.  However, the Council is uniquely placed to offer a precise and considered assessment of the need for places. The free market approach would not be a secure way of fulfilling the Council’s statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.  Stepping back would also be to neglect the Council’s ability to secure both a strong local voice and a strong educational voice in securing successful outcomes for local children.

9.4.3

A third option considered was support for existing secondary schools to expand their age range to become 5-16 schools.   This option has the potential to build on the existing secondary schools as known providers in the locality which parents already know and have confidence in.  However, by supporting a particular secondary school, the Local Authority may have prevented other providers from coming forward and expressing an interest in running new primary provision.

9.4.4

Finally, the Council could attempt to pursue the establishment of new Council-maintained Community schools.  Under the new framework this can only happen in the event that the Secretary of State considers no suitable expressions of interest have been received.  At that point the Council could start a formal competition process and only if no suitable proposal comes forward can the Local Authority propose a new Community school. If that were to happen, again the Secretary of State, through the Schools Adjudicator, would be the ultimate decision maker.  Given the Government Academies programme and the number of potential sponsors currently in the ‘market’, it is very unlikely that a proposal would reach that stage.  However, the first step in that process is the seeking of expressions of interest as outlined in this report and therefore this route, whilst unlikely, would remain open.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Executive Director, Children, Young People & Families, Executive Director.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People & Family Support