Issue - meetings

The 2019-23 School Place Planning Strategy (November 2021 refresh), approved by Cabinet in November 2021, and the Capital Investment Programme for School Place Sufficiency for Children and Young People with SEND approved by Cabinet on 17 January 2022 identified the need for an additional Special School in the borough at secondary level that would offer a curriculum for pupils whose special educational needs cannot be met within mainstream schools.  This report details the process to establish the school and seeks Cabinet approval to proceed.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the establishment of a Special School at secondary level on the site known as London Road.

(2)       To approve use of the DfE (Free School) Presumption process to establish the school, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report, noting that the final decision on the selected provider will be taken by the Secretary of State for Education.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Statutory Lead Member for Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills to ratify the full business case and to identify and thereafter recommend to the Secretary of State for Education the Local Authority’s preferred provider.

Councillor Stephens (Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills) introduced a report outlining the process and seeking approval to proceed with the establishment of an additional Special School within the borough at secondary level as part of the refreshed 2019-23 School Place Planning Strategy and Capital Investment Programme for School Place Sufficiency for Children and Young People with Special Education Needs (SEND).

In considering the report Cabinet noted the growing demand for school places that met the needs of children and young people with SEND, as identified within the refresh of the School Place Planning Strategy and new SEND Strategy (2021-25).  In order to meet the increasing levels of need and also address the resulting pressures on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated School Grant (DSG) a range of options had been approved by Cabinet on 17 January 2022 which had included the potential build of a new SEND school in the borough.  Members commended the work of those officers involved in the subsequent development of proposals for the new school which, subject to the outcome of the Department for Education (DfE) presumption process, it was intended to open in September 2024 providing up to 150 specialist places.

Members noted the indicative timeline for the presumption process and initial contact with the Regional Schools Commissioner (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education) who it was reported had not, at this stage, raised any issues in relation to the proposals.

Having expressed support for the approach and proposals identified within the report Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the establishment of a Special School at secondary level on the site known as London Road.

(2)       To approve use of the DfE (Free School) Presumption process to establish the school, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report, noting that the final decision on the selected provider will be taken by the Secretary of State for Education.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Statutory Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills to ratify the full business case and to identify and thereafter recommend to the Secretary of State for Education the Local Authority’s preferred provider.