Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet make the following recommendations to the Council on 16 March 2021.

1. The Cabinet recommends that the County Council approves the School Organisation Plan 2020-2030.

Reason for Decision:

The School Organisation Plan is a key document used by schools and education stakeholders in considering medium and long term plans. It is necessary to review the plan to ensure that the best and most up to date information is published for use in this process to encourage collaborative and collegiate planning.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning explained that the organisation plan covered the academic period from September 2020-2030. The council had created over 10,000 additional places over the last five years in mainstream schools and other in specialist provision. The School Organisation Plan sets out the policies and principles underpinning both mainstream and specialist school organisation in Surrey and was used by schools and education stakeholders for medium and long term planning. It highlights the likely demand for school places projected over a 10-year period and sets out any potential changes in school organisation that may be required in order to meet the council’s statutory duty to provide sufficient places. Cabinet had approved a capital investment of nearly £80m to deliver 1600 special education needs and disability school places to meet the projected demand The Cabinet Member briefed members on the sections of the plan explaining that the period covered in the plan was one of unique uncertainty and probable volatility due to the possible impacts of covid-19. As the National Funding Formula is brought in there is less flexibility to allocate monies to smaller schools so they would need to ensure their sustainability and establish models that support provision overall.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet make the following recommendations to the Council on 16 March 2021.

1. The Cabinet recommends that the County Council approves the School Organisation Plan 2020-2030.

Reason for Decision:

The School Organisation Plan is a key document used by schools and education stakeholders in considering medium and long term plans. It is necessary to review the plan to ensure that the best and most up to date information is published for use in this process to encourage collaborative and collegiate planning.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee]