Report: Outline Proposals to address Early Years, Primary, Secondary, SEND and AP rising rolls – Update to Phase 5 expansion Programme

Cabinet:

1.       Agreed Phase 5 school expansion programmes should continue to be developed based on the following approach in line with the decision on the Children & Young People Education Place Planning Plan 2023-2027

i.                  To have a preference for expanding existing popular and high-performing schools and inclusion of nursery provision and SEND units where appropriate and in areas where there are no schools with high surplus capacity.

ii.                To consider the expansion of existing schools, but only to a maximum size of 4FE in the primary phase, ensuring at all times that high standards of education are paramount.

iii.       To consider the delivery of additional primary and secondary places as a result of major regeneration through establishment of new schools.

2.       Agreed that in respect of all proposals set out below that all relevant statutory processes, including planning, should be followed and where the process is the responsibility of an Academy to provide all necessary support. Where consultation is necessary the proposals below are subject to the outcome of such consultation.

3.       Approved the detailed stage 1 programme of works totalling £70m to fund Phase 5 of the Schools Expansion Programme from 2023/24 to 2026/27, noting that this is fully externally funded.