Agenda item

10.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families submitted a report making recommendations on the next steps in meeting the pressing need for new primary and secondary school places in the North East and the South West of the City following public consultation. It included a summary of the response to consultation, an appraisal of the options, and proposals for the next stage.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet authorises the Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, and where necessary in consultation with the Executive Director, Place to take all necessary steps, including bringing forward the necessary capital approval submissions to Cabinet, to:

(i)

commission a new 11-18 school on the car park area of the former Bannerdale site as described in the report;

(ii)

support the temporary expansion of Silverdale to provide an additional 60 secondary school places in 2016/17 and 2017/18 as set out in the report;

(iii)

undertake a 4-week consultation on a proposal to expand Ecclesall Infant School to become a through primary school offering 90 places per year as set out in the report; and

(iv)

commission a new 2-18 school on the former Pye Bank School site as described in the report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The proposals put forward in this report represent the best outcomes when balancing the various priorities including: ensuring access to great, inclusive schools in every area of the city, getting value for money, protecting green spaces, and meeting housing needs. This has been thoroughly tested through the consultation and the process of appraising the various options since the consultation.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The recommended proposals for the provision of school places have been subject to considerable amounts of formative discussion and a formal and extended consultation with schools, parents, and the local community. All original options and new options coming through the consultation have been considered equally through this process. Where new secondary schools have been proposed, the alternative option of expanding existing schools has been fully considered in every aspect and deemed insufficient, unfeasible, or educationally unviable to provide the capacity increase needed across the secondary sector in the programme up to, and beyond, 2020.

10.4.2

The option of doing nothing or delaying delivery of the provision proposed is not feasible. It poses significant risks to the Council in not providing sufficient statutory school places and to parents in not being able to secure a school place for their child.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People and Family Support

10.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families submitted a report making recommendations on the next steps in meeting the pressing need for new primary and secondary school places in the North East and the South West of the City following public consultation. It included a summary of the response to consultation, an appraisal of the options, and proposals for the next stage.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet authorises the Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, and where necessary in consultation with the Executive Director, Place to take all necessary steps, including bringing forward the necessary capital approval submissions to Cabinet, to:

(i)

commission a new 11-18 school on the car park area of the former Bannerdale site as described in the report;

(ii)

support the temporary expansion of Silverdale to provide an additional 60 secondary school places in 2016/17 and 2017/18 as set out in the report;

(iii)

undertake a 4-week consultation on a proposal to expand Ecclesall Infant School to become a through primary school offering 90 places per year as set out in the report; and

(iv)

commission a new 2-18 school on the former Pye Bank School site as described in the report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The proposals put forward in this report represent the best outcomes when balancing the various priorities including: ensuring access to great, inclusive schools in every area of the city, getting value for money, protecting green spaces, and meeting housing needs. This has been thoroughly tested through the consultation and the process of appraising the various options since the consultation.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The recommended proposals for the provision of school places have been subject to considerable amounts of formative discussion and a formal and extended consultation with schools, parents, and the local community. All original options and new options coming through the consultation have been considered equally through this process. Where new secondary schools have been proposed, the alternative option of expanding existing schools has been fully considered in every aspect and deemed insufficient, unfeasible, or educationally unviable to provide the capacity increase needed across the secondary sector in the programme up to, and beyond, 2020.

10.4.2

The option of doing nothing or delaying delivery of the provision proposed is not feasible. It poses significant risks to the Council in not providing sufficient statutory school places and to parents in not being able to secure a school place for their child.