Agenda item

That the School Organisation Plan 2012 – 22 be approved for recommendation to Council.

Reasons for Decisions

The School Organisation Plan is a key contextual document used by Schools and Education Stakeholders when making long term plans. Its annual review is necessary to ensure that the best information is used in this planning process. Any comments received can both inform the existing plan and shape future iterations.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning asked Cabinet to consider the Surrey School Organisation Plan 2012 -2022.

The Surrey School Organisation Plan (previously called ‘School Organisation in Surrey, SOIS) for 2012-21 was a contextual document which set out the policies and principles underpinning school organisation in Surrey. It highlighted the likely demand for school places as projected over a 10 year forecast period and set out the potential changes to provision that may be required in order to meet the statutory duty to provide suitable and sufficient places.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning said that it was a ‘live’ document with much detailed information and hoped all Members would read it to see how it affected their own divisions.

Cabinet Members made the following points:

·         Reference to the huge increase in the birth rate and the five year capital programme to expand school places across the county, to provide 8000 more primary school places and 600 more secondary places.

·         That the county provides sufficient school places for all its pupils.

·         The importance of regular reviews and consideration of demographics and house building in the county.

·         Working relationships between schools and the Local Authority.

·         Local committees should challenge the results of schools in their areas, to ensure that all schools provided the best education for their pupils.

·         Paragraph 11.14 (Runnymede annex) to be amended to read 1500 not 3500 homes.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning thanked Members for their comments and said that she would ask the Chairman of the Education Select Committee to request that all local committees also reviewed the Plan. She would also share this information with Districts and Boroughs.

Finally, she thanked the County Council for its forward thinking approach in agreeing a capital programme and budget to enable the Plan to be delivered.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:

That the School Organisation Plan 2012 – 22 be approved for recommendation to Council.

Reasons for Decisions

The School Organisation Plan is a key contextual document used by Schools and Education Stakeholders when making long term plans. Its annual review is necessary to ensure that the best information is used in this planning process. Any comments received can both inform the existing plan and shape future iterations.