Decision details

Cabinet:

 

1.         Agreed that Phase 3 and 4 of the school expansion programme should continue to be developed  based on the following approach in line with consultation responses:

 

                          i.          To have a preference for expanding existing popular and high-performing schools and inclusion of nursery provision and Additional Resource Provisions (ARPs) where appropriate and practicable.

 

                         ii.          To consider the expansion of existing schools, but only to a maximum size of 4 Forms of Entry (FE) in the primary phase, ensuring at all times that high standards of education was paramount; to consider the possible establishment of primary phase provision on secondary school sites as “all through” provision and the encouragement of Free Schools where needed and where they provided best value. 

 

2.         Delegated the power to take further decisions regarding the approval of which settings/schools included within the report should be expanded or supported financially (subject to the appropriate statutory processes) for Phase 4 of the Expansion Programme to the Cabinet Member for Children & Learning.

 

3.         Delegated the power to take further decisions regarding expansion or financial support for Academies - not included within the report - in urgent and exceptional circumstances, (subject to the appropriate statutory processes and within the agreed capital programme) for Phase 4 of the Expansion Programme, to the Cabinet Member for Children & Learning after consultation with the Leader.

 

4.         Delegated to the Director of Asset Management authority to submit planning applications after consultation with planning officers, commission all associated surveys/investigations (including transport assessment, soils survey, environmental check etc.) and commence tender processes as required to support the development of options appraisals to deliver Phases 3 and 4 expansions required and noted that tender awards would remain the subject of separate Executive Decision(s).

 

5.         Noted the updated Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2015/16 – 2019/20 and School Planning Data Pack appended to the report.

 

In respect of increasing Primary places:

 

6.         Agreed the following Phase 4 proposals for Permanent  expansion, to be subject to consultationand statutory processes, including planning:

Harold Hill Planning area: 

 

Expansion of Pyrgo Priory Primary School from 2FE to 3FE for 2017/18.

 

Expansion of Broadford Primary School from 3FE to 4FE for 2018/19.

 

Romford Planning area:

 

Expansion of Hylands Primary School from 2FE to 3FE for 2017/18.

 

Expansion of Gidea Park Primary School from 2FE to 3FE for 2019/20.

 

Rainham and South Hornchurch Planning area:

 

Expansion of Rainham Village Primary School from 2FE to 3FE for 2017/18.

 

Expansion of Whybridge Infant and Junior School from 2FE to 3FE for 2017/18.

 

Expansion of Brady Primary School from 1FE to 2FE for 2017/18.

 

Expansion of Parsonage Farm Primary School from 3FE to 4FE for 2018/19.

 

Expansion of Newtons Primary School from 2FE to 3FE in 2019/20.

 

7.         Agreed to support proposals for a new 3FE Primary Free School in the Rainham and South Hornchurch Planning area on the Beam Park development site.

 

In respect of increasing Secondary places:

 

8.         Agreed the Permanent expansion through the rationalisation of Published Admission Numbers of the following schools for 2017/18;

Marshalls Park School from 172 to 180                           8 places

Emerson Park School from 192 to 210                         18 places

Frances Bardsley Academy from 220 to 240                20 places

 

9.         Agreed to financially support the Phase 4 proposals for Permanent  expansion, in the following schools:

 

North East Planning area:

 

Expansion of Drapers’ Academy from 6FE to 8FE for 2018/19.

 

North West Planning area:

 

Expansion of Bower Park Academy from 6FE to 7FE for 2019/20.

 

Central Planning area:

 

Expansion of Royal Liberty School from 4FE to 5FE for 2018/19.

 

Expansion of Marshalls Park School from 6FE to 8FE for 2018/19.

 

Expansion of Redden Court Academy from 5FE to 7FE for 2019/20.

 

Expansion of Emerson Park School from 7 FE to 8FE for 2019/20.

 

East Planning area:

 

Rationalisation of PAN for Hall Mead Academy from 192 to 210 for 2019/20.

         

            In respect of increasing SEN places:

 

10.      Primary SEN places;

 

Agreed to establish two Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARPs) for primary children with Communication and Interaction Needs, each with 12 places in mainstream primary schools for 2017/18.  The ARPs would be established in the Upminster, or Harold Hill, or Rainham and South Hornchurch primary planning areas.

 

Secondary SEN places;

 

Agreed to establish two ARPs containing 12 places each in secondary schools in the schools in the North West, or East, or South, or Central secondary planning areas to meet the needs of secondary pupils with Communication and Interaction Needs for 2017/18.

 

Special Schools;

 

Noted that plans to address the SEN need for 2018/19 would be the subject of future reports.

 

In respect of increasing Early Education and Childcare places:

 

11.      Approved the implementation of the following four projects subject to the grant of capital funding from the Department for Education to support the delivery of 30 hours free childcare for working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds from September 2017, and RECOMMENDED to Council that it agree funding of approximately 25% of the total project cost for each project.

 

Early Years Capital Bid 30 hours of free childcare - 4 projects;

 

Projects	Wards	Type of Project	Expected number of newly created 30 hour places
James Oglethorpe Preschool	Upminster	New build	30
Crownfield Nursery	Mawney	Extension	30
The Old School Playgroup	Harold Wood	Extension	18
Towers Nursery	Hylands	New build	30

 

In respect of the Romford Housing Zone:

 

12.      Noted that recommendations regarding preferred sites for one 4 FE primary school or two 2 FE primary schools and one 5/6FE secondary school in Romford to meet the need for places for the Romford new housing zone framework.  Delivery would be subject to a future Cabinet report.

 

In respect of additions to the Capital Programme:

 

13.      Cabinet RECOMMENDED to Council that the following items of funding were added to the Capital Programme:

 

                          i.          £2.5m of unallocated S106 developer contributions for Education purposes

 

1.     £1.4m early years grant referred to in recommendation 7 above (subject to bid being successful)

 

                         ii.          £5m estimated 19/20 basic need grant (to be adjusted to final grant allocation once announced). 

NOTE: tenders would not be awarded to commit expenditure against this grant prior to confirmation of the grant.  However, inclusion within the capital programme at an earlier stage would enable schemes to be developed.

 

14.              Cabinet RECOMMENDEDto Council that the detailed schemes as attached at appendix 3 to the report and subject to any revisions following confirmation of any grant funding, should be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme.