Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the School Organisation Plan 2011-2016 which set out Medway’s plans for the development of schools in Medway over the next five years, including priorities for capital investment. It made proposals based on an analysis of need across the early years, primary and secondary phases, as well as the council’s provision for pupils with special educational needs. It included a detailed analysis of current and forecast pupil numbers.

It was noted that whilst there was no longer a statutory requirement for local authorities to have a School Organisation Plan, having such a plan would enable the Council to establish a framework for decisions to ensure an appropriate supply of good quality school places.

It was proposed that consultation would be undertaken on the School Organisation Plan between 13 July 2011 and 21 September 2011 with interested stakeholders. The outcome would then be reported to the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September 2011 before returning to Cabinet on 1 November 2011, for consideration and approval.

A revised page 9 of the School Organisation Plan which provided a revised table “Pupil numbers and forecast 2003-2006 by primary type”, was tabled at the meeting.

Reasons:

This will enable the Council to put in place a planned and structured approach to school organisation over the next 5 years to address the risks in section 5 of the report.