Issue - meetings

This report informs the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory proposals to increase the number of places at The Village School from April 2016 and recommends that they be approved. The Representation period on the proposals ended on 18 February 2016

(i)         that the expansion of The Village School by adding 35 new places for students aged 4 to 19 from April 2016 be approved;

(ii)        that the Strategic Director for Resources be authorised to approve the lease of Kingsbury School premises on satisfactory terms being agreed.

Councillor Moher, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, introduced the report informing the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory proposals to increase the number of places at The Village School from April 2016. Councillor Moher stated that the Village School, Grove Park, Kingsbury, London, NW9 0JY, was a maintained community special school designated to provide school places for pupils between the ages of 4 to19 with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) / and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).

Councillor Moher stated that the school currently has a planned admissions number (PAN) of 235 permanent places and the proposal was to increase the (PAN) to 270 permanent places by April 2016. As at 19 February 2016 there were 269 children on roll at The Village School. The school has admitted pupils above its existing planned admissions number (PAN). Under the most recent school organisation guidance (January 2014) Governing Bodies were able to increase their numbers as long as the admissions authority was content for the published admissions number (PAN) to be changed where this formed part of expansion plans, in accordance with the School Admissions Code.

Councillor Moher informed members of the Cabinet that Brent Council had consulted with staff, parents and the community on the proposal to increase the pupil numbers.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the expansion of The Village School by adding 35 new places for students aged 4 to 19 from April 2016 be approved;

(ii)        that the Strategic Director for Resources be authorised to approve the lease of Kingsbury School premises on satisfactory terms being agreed.