Decision details

To approve the business case for phase 2 of the permanent expansion of St John the Baptist Catholic Comprehensive School from 6 forms of Entry (900 places) to 8 Forms of Entry (1200 places) to meet the demand for 300 additional secondary places in the Woking.

Part 2 Annex

That subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion set out in agenda item 20 in Part 2 of this agenda, the business case for phase 2 of the expansion for the provision of an additional 240 places in Woking be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places in the County and Woking is an area where school demand has increased significantly. St John the Baptist is an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ secondary school and has been oversubscribed even at existing levels of demand for many years. Expansions at St Dunstan’s and the Marist Catholic Primary School (who are both direct feeders to St John the Baptist) increase this demand, which needs to be met with relevant increases in Secondary provision. The Cabinet approved phase 1 of the expansion works at the School on 25 February 2014 to provide 60 places, this approval included programme agreement for phase 2 to provide a further 240 places. Cabinet can now be provided with details of the phase 2 elements to complete the agreed programme.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview Board or the Education and Skills Board]