Issue - meetings

This report informs the Executive of the outcome of the statutory proposals to alter the character of the following schools from September 2013 and recommends that they be approved: close the Additionally Resourced Provision at Kensal Rise Primary School; increase places at the Additionally Resourced Provision at Oakington Manor Primary School; increase places at Woodfield Special School.

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent closure of the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at Kensal Rise Primary School with effect from September 2013;

(ii)        that approval be given to the change to the character of Oakington Manor Primary School by increasing the number of Additionally Resourced Places (ARP) from 25 to 35 places and to change the designation from SLCN to SLCN and ASD from September 2013;

(iii)       that approval be given to the expansion of Woodfield Special School by adding 40 new places for students aged 14 to 19 and change the designation of the school to provide for the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) from September 2014;

(iv)       that it be noted that Brent Council is addressing the increased demand for special school places through a number of initiatives guided by careful analysis of SEN incidence data and the development of projections that take account of the overall projected increase in the Borough’s population.

Councillor Pavey (Lead Member, Children and Families) introduced the report which set out the outcome of the statutory proposals to alter the character of certain schools from September 2013. The proposals involved the closure of the Additionally Resourced Provision at Kensal Rise Primary School, increased places at the Additionally Resourced Provision at Oakington Manor Primary School and increased places at Woodfield Special School. Councillor Pavey referred to the outcome of the consultation process and specifically regarding Kensal Rise School acknowledged that the majority of contributors did not support the expansion. Concerns expressed had been discussed in detail, responded to and parents, who so wished, had been offered places elsewhere.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the permanent closure of the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) at Kensal Rise Primary School with effect from September 2013;

(ii)        that approval be given to the change to the character of Oakington Manor Primary School by increasing the number of Additionally Resourced Places (ARP) from 25 to 35 places and to change the designation from SLCN to SLCN and ASD from September 2013;

(iii)       that approval be given to the expansion of Woodfield Special School by adding 40 new places for students aged 14 to 19 and change the designation of the school to provide for the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) from September 2014;

(iv)       that it be noted that Brent Council was addressing the increased demand for special school places through a number of initiatives guided by careful analysis of SEN incidence data and the development of projections that take account of the overall projected increase in the Borough’s population.