Agenda item

Report attached

The Sub-Committee received an update report on the progress of the school expansion programme since the last report in August 2017.  The report stated that the Local Authority had a statutory duty to plan and secure sufficient school places to meet the needs of its children and families.  

It was noted that under Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the school expansion programme, a total of 19 schools have been expanded which created an additional 3106 permanent primary and secondary school places in the borough.

The report informed the Sub-Committee that many London Boroughs and urban areas were currently experiencing a decrease in demand for primary school places, but Havering was still forecasting significant growth in the coming years. The increase in demand could be attributed to a rise in birth rates, increase in the number of families moving into the borough and continuing growth in housing development. There was likely to be a large increase in the projected reception intake for 2020/21.

In March 2019, Cabinet approved the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2019-2023 that contained detailed pupil projections across Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Post 16 and SEND phases and also setting out the likely demand for school places as a result of the two housing zones planned for Rainham and Romford.

The Sub-Committee noted that subject to Cabinet approval, the School Expansion Programme would be updated for the Phase 4 and Phase 5 expansion programme.

The report detailed that there were plans to increase the Early Years provision in key wards, including Elm Park, Harold Wood, Hacton, Hylands, Pettits, Romford Town and South Hornchurch to meet the growing demand for places for 3 and 4year olds.

The Sub-Committee noted the following proposal  to deliver primary school  places  subject to consultation and statutory processes where necessary for 2023/24 dependent on whether growth is sustained:

Collier Row

1FE bulge class at Oasis Pinewood Primary School for 2021/22

Elm Park

1FE bulge class at Suttons Primary School/Scargill Infants School for 2020/21

1FE permanent expansion of RJ Mitchell Primary School for 2021/22

1FE bulge class at Suttons Primary School/Scargill Infants School for 2022/23

Harold Hill

3 x 1FE bulge classes at Drapers’ Pyrgo Priory School, Drapers’ Maylands and Mead Primary School for 2020/21

1FE permanent expansion of Drapers’ Pyrgo Priory School and 1FE bulge class Broadford Primary School for 2022/23

1FE permanent expansion of Broadford Primary School for 2023/24

Hornchurch

1FE bulge class at Langtons Infants School, 1FE bulge class at Harrow Lodge Primary School  for 2020/21

1FE bulge class at Langtons Infants School for 2021/22

1FE bulge class at Langtons Infants School for 2023/24

Rainham and South Hornchurch

A new 3FE school delivered as part of Beam Park development for 2021/22

Romford

1FE bulge class at Concordia Primary Academy for 2021/22

1FE bulge class at Concordia Primary Academy for 2022/23

A new 3FE school delivered as part of Bridge Close development for 2023/24

Upminster and Cranham

1FE bulge class at James Oglethorpe Primary School for 2020/21

1FE bulge class at James Oglethorpe Primary School for 2021/22

1FE permanent expansion (school TBC) for 2023/24

There were proposal for two new primary schools to open in 2023/24 on the 2 housing developments sites in Beam Park, Rainham and Bridge Close, Romford, both start-up world be closely linked to the delivery of the new housing.

The report also outlined proposals to meet the increasing needs for Special Educational Needs and Disability places by providing more alternative Resources Provision “ARP” that focus on supporting children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder “ASD” and Social Emotional and Mental Health “SEMH”, particularly in early years and primary schools.

The following ARPs are proposed:

•      1 ARP at Nelmes Primary School 12 places for ASD

•      1 ARP at Scotts Primary School 12 places for ASD

•      1 ARP at Suttons Primary School 12 places for SEMH

•      1 ARP at a secondary school for ASD needs.

The Sub-Committee noted that the annual statutory returns to the Department for Education regarding projected school place demand completion of a School Capacity Collection “SCAP” return followed by a report to Cabinet providing updates to the pupil projections, and identify plans to meet the expected demand for school places beyond what has already been identified in the September 2019 report:

During discussion, it was noted that a sponsor had been identified for the primary school provision in Beam Park.

The Sub-Committee noted the update report.