Agenda item

Clarksfield Primary School 1 FE Expansion and Academy Conversion

Minutes:

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Director of Education and Early Years which sought approval of basic need funding for a 1 FE expansion at Clarksfield Primary School.

 

The Local Authority had a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places within its area.  There was a forecasted shortfall in the East Oldham planning area from September 2018.  In order to meet this demand, the Local Authority is under a statutory obligation to provide an additional 2 FE in East Oldham by 2020.  Clarksfield was due to convert to academy status in 2018.  Informal discussions had taken place with the proposed academy sponsor of the school (Oasis Learning Trust) regarding the feasibility of adding a 1FE expansion to the current site.  Clarksfield Primary School was situated in an area of significant demand for places.

 

Members were informed that detailed work and consultation had been undertaken. Members commented on the good relationship between the local authority, schools and academies.  Members also commented on the fact that the Council could not open schools and how important partnership working was in working with sponsors. 

 

Options/Alternatives

Option 1 – Expand Clarksfield Primary School by 1 FE post conversion to academy status.  The total cost for this proposal is £2.9M.  This expansion would provide an additional 210 places bring the total available primary places at the school to 630 places.  In addition the school was located in a central position, in the area of greatest place pressure and is within the LA statutory reasonable distance from all of East Oldham.

Option 2 – Expand Littlemoor Community Primary School.  The cost for this proposal was £3M per form of entry.

Option 3 – Expand St. Thomas Moorside.  The cost for this proposal was £3M per form of entry.  In addition the school could apply faith criteria on admissions.

Option 4 – Expand Woodlands Academy.  The cost of this proposal was £3M per form of entry.

Option 5 – Expand Mayfield Academy.  The cost of this proposal was £4M per form of entry.

Option 6 – Expand St. Anne’s RC by one form of entry.  The cost for this proposal was £5M per form of entry.  In addition, the school could apply faith criteria on admissions.

Option 7 – Do nothing.  This will mean the LA is in breach of its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places across the borough.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.         The basic need funding of £2.9M for a 1 FE Expansion at Clarksfield Primary School be approved.

2.         Further opportunities be explored by officers to provide an additional 1 FE with other providers in the area be agreed.

3.         The Director of Legal Services or his nominee to enter into all necessary documentation contracts and legal commitments in accordance with the agreed schools expansion programme.

4.         The release of the previously approved £85,564 for electrical condition works be noted.  The release of this funding was consistent with the position taken in the Academy Conversion Policy 2016.

 

NOTE:  Councillor Shah entered the room during this item.

Supporting documents: