Issue - meetings

Purpose

(1)  To provide an update on the progress of:

·         Urgent school condition projects

·         School sufficiency schemes aimed at increasing school place capacity within the city.

(2) To seek approval to enter into a statutory process to formally change the age range of Manor Infant School from 4 to 7 years to 2 to 7 years to integrate the current nursery provision fully into the school.

RECOMMENDED

(1) That the Cabinet Member notes the progress on the school modernisation "urgent condition" projects, the secondary school sufficiency projects and the special school sufficiency projects.

(2)  That the schemes agreed with the Lead Member since the last report are formally approved.

(3)  That a statutory process is commenced on a proposal to change the age range of Manor Infant School from 4 to 7 years to 2 to 7 years.

The report was introduced by Chris Williams, Pupil Place Planning & Capital Strategy Officer.

In response to a question regarding the adaptations to Court Lane Infant School, Chris Williams explained that the child is in Year 1 currently and the provision is being made to the year 1 area.  The £15k is a one off payment and covers the life of the adaptations as the child moves through the school. Phase 2 for the scheme will come into the year 2 area and the child's parents have been fully involved with the adaptations and see it as a great benefit. 

In response to a question about the inclusion capital grant, Chris Williams explained that this is a new grant and is intended as an annual grant to schools to enhance and encourage the inclusion offer within schools.  This might include adaptations for certain pupils to compliment the schools accessibility strategies to make a difference to inclusion for all pupils in the school.  The limit is £10k per grant with the intention that this will run on a bidding process with schools having the opportunity to put in a bid that compliments their inclusion offer.  Mike Stoneman added that all schools will be notified of the inclusion capital grant shortly.

In response to a query over the amalgamation of Manor Infant School, Councillor Horton said that for any amalgamation it is around economies of scale and identity of being a through school. She felt that it was important that the amalgamation helps with continuity and transitions and the operation of the school. Chris Williams added that there have been a number of similar changes in statutory process where schools have changed their age range.  This seems to help significantly with the operation of the school and this was not an unusual situation. 

Councillor Horton said she was grateful for the £3.5million investment for SEND and AP accommodation which included the inclusion capital grants at the recent Full Council budget meeting and acknowledged that the schemes identified are now being progressed.

DECISIONS:

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education:

1. Noted the progress on the school modernisation "urgent condition" projects, the secondary school sufficiency projects and the special school sufficiency projects.

2. Approved the schemes agreed with the Lead Member since the last report.

3. Agreed to commence a statutory process on a proposal to change the age range of Manor Infant School from 4 to 7 years to 2 to 7 years.