Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Education

11 October 2001

St Francis Special School, Fareham

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1.

Summary

1.1

St Francis Special School caters for pupils between two and nineteen years of age who have Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).

1.2

Following the sale of the site of Wakefield House and Howard House, Gosport, which previously accommodated the school's Post 16 Unit, the Unit was moved into temporary buildings at the St Francis site in Fareham. This was agreed by the then DfEE only on the understanding that the double temporary classroom would be a short-term solution until suitable permanent accommodation could be provided.

1.3

At the 2 March 2000 meeting of the Asset Management Sub-Committee it was agreed that the Education Committee be permitted to retain the usable share of the sale of proceeds from the disposal of Wakefield House and Howard House to fund replacement premises for the Post 16 Unit.

1.4

Subsequently an allocation of £131,000, excluding fees, was added to the Education Committee's Minor Works Capital Programme towards the cost of re-providing a Post 16 Unit in permanent accommodation on the St Francis School site. Further funding of £142,000, excluding fees, has been made available from the William Price Trust following the payment of £1m to the County Council from the Trust to be spent on projects in the Fareham area.

1.5

Funding of £273,000, excluding fees, now appears in the Education Committee's 2001/02 Capital Programme for the provision of a permanent Post 16 unit at the St Francis School site and the purpose of this report is to outline the proposals and seek approval to the attached building design project appraisal.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

It is proposed to construct a single storey building to the north of the existing school to provide a dedicated Post 16 Unit with appropriate specialist teaching accommodation and facilities. The new building will provide; one classroom with private study area, practical teaching room with a craft area and domestic kitchen, two WC's one accessible WC with shower and changing bed, entrance lobby and cleaners store.

2.2

The Unit has been carefully designed with the specialist needs of this user group in mind. The private study area will be of an open plan design, within the main classroom, to allow constant supervision in the teaching areas. A domestic kitchen will form part of the practical teaching room and generous storage areas will be provided in the teaching areas for the storage of specialist equipment.

2.3

The main entrance to the new building will be to the east elevation with a new ramp leading from an existing drop-off area located to the north east of the site. Hard paving will be provided to the south of the building to provide an area for outside play / teaching.

2.4

A single and a double temporary classroom are currently sited to the west of the main school buildings and following the completion of the new Post 16 Unit the double temporary classroom will be removed from site and the area will be reinstated.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding of £273,000, excluding fees, exists in the Education Committee's 2001/02 Capital Programme for these proposals. The school have made a contribution of £10,000 towards the shower facilities.

3.2

It is intended to invite tenders during October 2001 and, subject to a successful tender exercise, it is anticipated that works will commence on site during January 2002 and be completed during June 2002.

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will result in the provision of a permanent Post 16 Unit and the removal of a temporary building at St Francis Special School providing an improved environment for pupils. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached appraisal.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report and attached appraisal.

NB the list excludes

1. Published works.

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

Building Management System reports, Property, Management &

Site surveys and investigations, Information File - PB&R

Architect's plans.

EME1001b