Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

4 July 2002

Executive Member, Policy & Resources

11 July 2002

Executive Member for Education

18 July 2002

Cherrywood Community Primary School, Farnborough

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

At the October 2000 meeting of the School Organisation Committee (SOC) approval was given to the amalgamation of Mayfield Infant and Junior Schools and to the extension and conversion of the Mayfield Junior School building to become a two-form entry primary school. The proposals were subsequently agreed at the Education Committee in March 2001 and approval was given to the creation of Cherrywood Community Primary School, including the establishment of early years and community provision in the new primary school premises.

1.2

This followed a review of primary school provision in north Farnborough which found that surplus places were projected to increase. The forecast surplus places for September 2003 were 43% at Mayfield Infant School and 35% at Mayfield Junior School.

1.3

The creation of a new primary school addresses the need to reduce the high forecast number of surplus places in the north Farnborough area. Along side of this the proposals will enable continuation of early years and community facilities at Cherrywood Community Primary, which is presently provided at Mayfield Infant School.

1.4

At the July 2001 meeting of the Asset Management Sub-Committee approval was given to the disposal of the 0.75 hectares (1.86 acres) site of Mayfield Infant School as an In/Out scheme under Regulation 99 of the Local Authority (Capital Finance) Regulations 1997. It was also agreed that the Education Committee be permitted to retain 100% of the capital receipt form the sale of the site to undertake refurbishment and extension work to Mayfield Junior School to create the new Community Primary School.

1.5

The sale of land is subject to Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 regarding the protection of school playing fields. The application for approval has been sent to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and a decision is expected by October 2002.

1.6

The capital receipt is subject to obtaining a suitable planning consent for residential development. Rushmoor Borough Council has indicated they may reconsider the affordable housing requirements in response to the latest national guidance and this may reduce the current estimated capital receipt. The exact requirements will not be known until outline planning consent for the residential development is approved. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and the County Education Officer have agreed to continue to progress the scheme in order to meet the required timescale and review the scheme, prior to letting a contract, upon confirmation of the capital receipt to ensure that the scope and funding match.

1.7

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed new Primary School and the purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and financial framework and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

Mayfield Infant and Junior Schools currently share a site and early years and community accommodation exist within the Infant School building. It is proposed that the new Cherrywood Community Primary, along with early years and community facilities be accommodated in the extended and reorganised Junior school building and the Infant School site and building be disposed.

2.2

An extension will be constructed to the northern elevation of the Junior School building and will provide an Early Years / Pre School room with a kitchenette, Accessible shower, WCs and stores; Community Group room with WCs and stores; two classrooms for reception aged pupils with WCs, cloakroom and stores; music room; headteacher's office; main entrance with foyer; reception; administration office; Medical Inspection room and a plant room.

2.3

The existing Junior School is currently spread between the original main school building and a separate four classroom teaching block. It is proposed that the school be re-suited to accommodate infant aged pupils in ground floor classrooms and junior aged pupils in the remaining ground and first floor classrooms.

2.4

The main school entrance, currently located to the east of the school building, will be relocated to the new extension to the north. The foyer, reception and administration office will adjoin the new entrance to form a reception suite which will define the main entrance to the building and improve security.

2.5

A small amount of internal reorganisation will be required to change the existing classroom functions to accommodate the reordering of the building. These will include the conversion of the headteacher's and administration office to a library / resource area and staff room. The existing staff room will be converted to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) classroom.

2.6

External works will include the repositioning of a pedestrian entrance from Mayfield Road to the south of the site and creation of a pedestrian pathway leading to the new main entrance of the building and across the site to the existing pedestrian entrance from Aldwick Close to the north. The existing car park to the north-west of the vehicular entrance on Mayfield Road will be upgraded and a new car park with 9 additional car parking bays will be constructed to the south of the site, to the east of the vehicular entrance. Dedicated outside play areas will be created to the north of the new extension for use by the Early Years / Pre School room and to the south-east of the extension for the two reception classrooms. Both areas will be enclosed with fencing to ensure safety and security. New covered walkways will be created to link the existing main building to both the four classroom teaching block and the new building and hard paving will be provided to the new main entrance.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

The current estimated cost of the building rationalisation project is £1,133,000, excluding fees. The current estimated value of the capital receipt is £1,058,000, excluding fees and this amount will be added to the Education Committee's 2002/03 capital programme. The school has made a contribution of £75,000 which brings the total funding available level with the estimated cost of the project.

3.2

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during August 2002. The construction of the new accommodation will commence on site during October 2002 and will be completed during June 2002. The alterations to the existing building, the construction of the external covered links and external works will be undertaken during the 2003 summer holiday period and will be completed during August 2003.

Conclusion

The proposed new Community Primary School will provide a two form entry Primary school in purpose designed accommodation and will address the need to reduce the high forecast number of surplus places in the north Farnborough area by September 2003. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal.