Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion set out in Part 2 of this agenda, the business case be approved for the expansion of Hawkedale Infant School, providing an additional 120  junior places.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places relative to demand.

[The decision on this item may be called in by either the Education and Skills Scrutiny Board or the Council Overview Board]

The Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational Achievement commended the approval of the business case for the expansion of Hawkedale Infant School from a 1 form of entry infant (90 places) to a 1 form of entry primary (210 places) to meet the demand for 120 junior places in the Sunbury on Thames area, to Cabinet.

She said that the proposal was part of the Sunbury on Thames primary school re-organisation that would create an additional 210 primary places between Hawkedale Infant and Springfield Primary Schools to help meet the basic need requirement in the Sunbury on Thames area for September 2017. A permanent expansion of Springfield Primary School was also proposed and would be subject to a separate report to Cabinet.

She also informed Members that at the last Ofsted inspection, this school had received a ‘good’ judgement, with outstanding features, and officers were confident in the school’s ability to manage the increased numbers.

She drew attention to the consultation process and said that concerns raised about traffic and parking would be mitigated because additional parking would be provided onsite, plus there would be a new pedestrian access to the school. Finally, she said that a planning application had been submitted and that a decision was expected by October.

The Cabinet Associate for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence was the local Member and fully supported this school’s expansion.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion set out in Part 2 of this agenda, the business case be approved for the expansion of Hawkedale Infant School, providing an additional 120  junior places.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places relative to demand.