Agenda item

5.1

Sam Martin and Cathie Tandy were in attendance to provide Committee members with an update on the citywide mainstream primary and secondary school places strategy, following the annual data review and sought agreement to the overall strategy and implementation approach.

5.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

-       Approve the overall strategy and implementation approach set out in this paper (including that secondary Number on roll forecasts are initially uplifted by 3% in order to meet demand at the highest allocation point).

-       Note that individual schemes will be brought through to the Finance Committee as part of the standard capital approvals process in the usual way.

5.3

Reasons for Decision

5.3.1

5.3.2

The proposed primary school expansions in Planning Areas 2 & 5 will contribute to:

-       Need for places: without additional places in the areas, the impact on families of not getting a local place will be significant as well as the impact on neighbouring schools.

-       Children’s outcomes: the standard of education that are provided at the two schools is of a good quality – both schools are rated by Ofsted as “Good.”

-       Equality: the catchment area in Planning Area 5 is characterised by deprivation and a higher proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic population. The school in Planning Area 2 is in a small rural community and includes Black and Minority Ethnic pupils and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. By increasing places at these schools, the needs of all children are met, and the needs of more vulnerable children and families located in the city.

The secondary school places sufficiency expansion strategy and subsequent secondary school expansion proposals will help meet:

-       Need for places: without additional places in the areas identified, the impact on families of not getting a local place will be significant as well as the impact on neighbouring schools.

-       Statutory duty: the proposals will help ensure that the Council meets its statutory duties under the Education Act 1996 to provide sufficient school places, promote parental choice, diversity, and fair access.

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

5.4.1

5.4.2

A detailed Options Appraisal was undertaken to consider alternative options to help address the primary deficits prior to feasibility studies. At that stage it was recommended that the only viable option was to expand the two primary schools identified.

A detailed Options Appraisal was undertaken to consider alternative options to help address the secondary deficits as part of Phase 1 expansions. At that stage it was recommended that the only viable option to address the deficits was to expand some secondary schools. This remains the only viable option for Phase 2 expansion implementation.

5.1

Sam Martin and Cathie Tandy were in attendance to provide Committee members with an update on the citywide mainstream primary and secondary school places strategy, following the annual data review and sought agreement to the overall strategy and implementation approach.

5.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

-       Approve the overall strategy and implementation approach set out in this paper (including that secondary Number on roll forecasts are initially uplifted by 3% in order to meet demand at the highest allocation point).

-       Note that individual schemes will be brought through to the Finance Committee as part of the standard capital approvals process in the usual way.

5.3

Reasons for Decision

5.3.1

5.3.2

The proposed primary school expansions in Planning Areas 2 & 5 will contribute to:

-       Need for places: without additional places in the areas, the impact on families of not getting a local place will be significant as well as the impact on neighbouring schools.

-       Children’s outcomes: the standard of education that are provided at the two schools is of a good quality – both schools are rated by Ofsted as “Good.”

-       Equality: the catchment area in Planning Area 5 is characterised by deprivation and a higher proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic population. The school in Planning Area 2 is in a small rural community and includes Black and Minority Ethnic pupils and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. By increasing places at these schools, the needs of all children are met, and the needs of more vulnerable children and families located in the city.

The secondary school places sufficiency expansion strategy and subsequent secondary school expansion proposals will help meet:

-       Need for places: without additional places in the areas identified, the impact on families of not getting a local place will be significant as well as the impact on neighbouring schools.

-       Statutory duty: the proposals will help ensure that the Council meets its statutory duties under the Education Act 1996 to provide sufficient school places, promote parental choice, diversity, and fair access.

5.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

5.4.1

5.4.2

A detailed Options Appraisal was undertaken to consider alternative options to help address the primary deficits prior to feasibility studies. At that stage it was recommended that the only viable option was to expand the two primary schools identified.

A detailed Options Appraisal was undertaken to consider alternative options to help address the secondary deficits as part of Phase 1 expansions. At that stage it was recommended that the only viable option to address the deficits was to expand some secondary schools. This remains the only viable option for Phase 2 expansion implementation.