Issue - meetings

2017 Annual Review of the School Organisation Plan

 

 

Meeting: 26/09/2017 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 2017 Annual Review of the School Organisation Plan pdf icon PDF 844 KB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report updated the Cabinet on the progress that had been made against the School Organisation Action Plan, borne from the School Organisation Plan 2011-16. It identified areas of emerging need based upon the latest annual round of forecasting undertaken in April 2017.

 

Having forecast a need for additional school places the report recommended that with regards to the primary school provision no further action would be needed in this sector beyond projects already initiated. However, an increasing number of primary pupils would start to impact on secondary school numbers and additional capacity would be required, as such the report proposed actions to meet the shortfall.

 

The report noted a new version of the School Organisation Plan was intended to be presented earlier in 2017; however this was postponed owing to the outcomes of the Government’s Wave 12 Free School Programme being delayed.  The report stated that the new plan was currently being drafted and would be presented to Cabinet on 6 February 2018. The new plan would outline the next 5 years’ expectations and actions to ensure sufficient school places were available for a rising population. At the same time, the School Organisation Principles would be updated to reflect the current national and local education landscape.

 

Diversity Impact Assessments would be undertaken on individual proposals brought forward as a result of actions arising from this report.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

The Cabinet noted the continued excellent progress made against the School Organisation Plan framework, which has ensured that the Council meets its duty and sufficient school places are available to meet the increasing demand.

108/2017

The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Children and Adults Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Children’s Services (Lead Member) and Educational Attainment and Improvement, to undertake the development and implementation of the programme to provide additional grammar school places within the budget set out in sections 3.12.2 and 6.6 of the report at one or more of the following schools:

•           Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School

•           Holcombe Grammar School

•           Chatham Grammar School for Girls

•           Rainham Mark Grammar School

•           Rochester Grammar School

•           Fort Pitt Grammar School.

109/2017

The Cabinet authorised the granting of a lease to the Rivermead Inclusive Trust on the Former Abbey Court Buildings in Rainham, as indicated in Appendix 1 to the report, for the purposes of providing Tier 3 and Tier 4 mental health provision as set out in section 3.13.2 of the report.

110/2017

The Cabinet authorised officers to undertake further feasibility studies as necessary to ensure that forward planning is in place to meet demand as and where it emerges and report back to Cabinet any formal proposals arising.

 

Reasons:

 

To ensure that the Council meets its statutory duty to ensure sufficient good quality school places are available.