INDIVIDUAL CABINET MEMBER DECISION REPORT Published on ...

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Nov 18, 2013 ... INDIVIDUAL CABINET MEMBER DECISION REPORT. Published on 18 November 2013. Approval to publish a statutory notice to permanently ...
INDIVIDUAL CABINET MEMBER DECISION REPORT Published on 18 November 2013

Approval to publish a statutory notice to permanently expand Dunalley Primary School to a three form entry primary school from 1 September 2014

Dates between which decision will be taken

Earliest date: 26 November 2013 Latest date:

29 November 2013

Children & Young People and Strategic Commissioning

Cllr Paul McLain

Key Decision

No

Background Papers



Commissioning Director Decision Report - Approval to consult formally on the permanent expansion of Dunalley Primary School from a two form entry school (420 pupils) to a three form entry primary school (630 pupils) for September 2014



Statutory Consultation Form



Due Regard Statement



Consultation Report

Location/Contact for inspection of Background Documents

Background papers can be found on the following web link

Main Consultees

Elected members, headteacher, Chair of Governors, staff and parents/carers of children at Dunalley Primary School and members of the local community. Gloucestershire Association of Primary Headteachers, Gloucestershire Association of Primary Headteachers Premises committee and Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Headteachers.

Planned Dates

Revised Admission for 1 September 2014

Divisional Councillor

Cllr David Prince

Officer

Any representations should be sent to:

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/dunalleyprimary

Moira Pratt, Lead Commissioner for Schools, telephone 01452 328673 [email protected] by 5.00pm on Monday 25 November 2013.

Purpose of Report

To approve the publication of a statutory notice to permanently expand Dunalley Primary school to three forms of entry (630 pupils) from September 2014. It is recommended that:

Recommendations

The Lead Cabinet Member for Children & Young People and Strategic Commissioning should approve the publication of the statutory notice to permanently expand Dunalley Primary from its current two forms of entry (420 pupils) to three forms of entry (630 pupils) starting in September 2014.

Reasons for Recommendations

Additional school places are required in the Pittville Planning Area to enable children who are local to Dunalley School to obtain a place at their nearest Primary School.

Resource Implications

Additional accommodation will be required which will be funded from Gloucestershire’s capital grant allocation for school sufficiency. There are no revenue resource implications to GCC; revenue costs associated with the project are DSG funded.

Background: 1.1. Dunalley Primary School is a two form entry school in the Pittville area of Cheltenham. There are currently 480 pupils on roll at the school. In September 2012 and September 2013 an additional form of entry (30 places) was temporarily introduced to meet demand for reception places in the planning area due to a rise in the population of children under five. This additional demand was accommodated by bringing back into use classrooms on the school site. 1.2. New birth data from General Practitioner (GP) patient registrations show that this upward trend is set to continue and demand for additional places will be required for the foreseeable future. The proposal to permanently expand Dunalley Primary School will ensure there are sufficient places and provide the school with the certainty they need to grow in a structured and considered way to eventually support a three form entry school. 1.3. In April, officers from the Local Authority met with the Headteacher of Dunalley Primary School to consider the option of a permanent expansion to a three form entry school. In consultation with governors the school agreed that they would support an expansion of the school. 1.4. A Commissioning Director decision was taken to formally consult on the proposal to permanently expand Dunalley Primary School from September 2014. Options: i) To maintain the status quo and not expand Dunalley Primary School ii) To permanently expand Dunalley Primary from its current two forms of entry to three forms of entry, starting in September 2014 Risk Assessment: Risk : Failure to provide sufficient school places to meet demand without children being allocated places some distance from their homes, resulting in an increase in transport costs. Mitigation: The shortfall of places in the areas of need have been calculated using GP patient registration data. Dunalley Primary School has been identified as the school most suitable to meet local need. Officers have worked closely with the school and they are supportive of this proposal.

Risk : That there is insufficient take up and the additional places are not filled. Mitigation: Additional temporary places have been provided in reception at this school in 2012 and 2013 and take up was almost 100%. The school has a Good Ofsted rating and is well regarded by parents.

Officer Advice: It is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Strategic Commissioning should approve the publication of the statutory notice to permanently expand Dunalley Primary from its current two forms of entry (420 pupils) to three forms of entry (630 pupils) starting in September 2014, to ensure that local children can obtain a place at their nearest primary school. Consultation feedback: The statutory consultation commenced on 16th September and ended on the 11th October 2013. 49 responses were received and 75% of those responses received strongly agreed or agreed with the proposal. Performance Management/Follow-up Subject to Lead Cabinet Member approval a) Progress building works to accommodate the additional pupils. b) Open the school as a three form entry Community Primary School with effect from September 2014