Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in Part 2 of this agenda, the business case for the provision of an additional two forms (240 places) of junior places in Ewell planning area be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Epsom and Ewell Borough.

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

Introducing this report, the Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational Achievement said that this proposal was part of the Ewell primary school re-organisation which would create another 200 infant and 480 junior places in total to help meet the basic need requirements in the Ewell area from September 2017 and that Ewell Grove Infant School was the final one of three school expansions in this area.

She said that approval was for the business case for the conversion of Ewell Grove Infant and Nursery School which was currently a 2 Form of Entry infant school (180 places) with 26 full time equivalent (fte) nursery places, to a 2 Form of Entry Primary (420 primary places with 26 fte nursery places) and as the school expanded incrementally this would create 240 new junior places overall.

She drew attention to the significant capital works required at the school, due to the restricted site, and that it was also in a conservation area with poor vehicular access. She also confirmed that there had been strong public support for the proposal.

Members were pleased to support this school expansion and expected that the whole project would enhance residents’ experience in this area.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information for the expansion as set out in Part 2 of this agenda, the business case for the provision of an additional two forms (240 places) of junior places in Ewell planning area be approved.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports the Authority’s statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places to meet the needs of the population in the Epsom and Ewell Borough.