Archived decisions

Contact: Ian Lawson, Strategic Planning Officer (01962 846350)

1. Summary

1.1 It is proposed that the Executive Member for Education should approve publication of the draft School Organisation Plan 2003/04 - 2007/08, for consultation.

2. School Organisation Plan

2.1 It is a requirement of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 that the LEA should produce a School Organisation Plan each year, showing how it intends to match the supply and demand for school places, over a five year period. The fourth such plan, covering the period 2002/03 to 2006/07, was approved by the School Organisation Committee in September 2002.

2.2 The plan has now to be rolled forward and a draft is enclosed. In addition to updating the statistics to show actual numbers for January 2003 and (where applicable) forecasts for January 2008, the following are the main changes from the current plan:

a. Responding to parental preference (Page 14). Rather than reproducing the admission policy in full, the plan only includes a summary.

b. Capacities of schools are now based on the "Net Capacity" method introduced by the DfES this year. This is explained on page 6 of the plan.

c. Statistics are included to show how the LEA meets its obligations in respect of early years provision.

d. Statistics are included giving the numbers of children with special educational needs at each school.

The latter two items are included in response to new guidance on the content of School Organisation Plans, issued by the DfES at the end of May 2003 following consultation earlier in the year. The new guidance also requires LEAs to set out how they will ensure that provision will raise standards and improve outcomes for all pupils, increase diversity, encourage collaboration between schools and promote community cohesion. These topics were already covered in the approved plan for Hampshire so it has not been necessary to make any major changes to the text.

3. Procedure

3.1 Subject to any observations by the Policy Review Committee, it is proposed that the Executive Member for Education should approve publication of the draft plan. Revised regulations, which came into effect on 1 June 2003, require this year's draft plan to be published by 1 August. Copies are placed in all public libraries and a press notice issued to advise the public that these are available for inspection. Copies are also sent to all adjoining local education authorities, all district councils, diocesan bodies, and the Learning and Skills Council. An executive summary particularly drawing attention to the demographic trends, together with a link to the full document, will also be sent to all Hampshire MPs. The draft plan is also published on Hantsweb so that schools and their governing bodies, as well as the public generally, can access the document.

3.2 For this year only, there is an eleven week period following publication (rather than two months that applied in previous years) during which anyone can submit objections or comments on the plan. At the end of that period the plan, any objections or comments, and the LEA's observations, are submitted to the School Organisation Committee for approval.

3.3 In the event that objections are received, it is proposed that the County Education Officer be authorised to formulate the LEA's observations, following consultation with the Executive Member.

3.4 The new regulations provide that full School Organisation Plans need only be prepared every three years, unless there are major changes in circumstances. In the intervening years, LEAs are recommended to publish updated statistics. These interim plans will not require approval by the School Organisation Committee. In addition, as part of the government's commitment to reduce the number of plans required by LEAs, the SOP may become part of a single education plan, but details of that have not yet been promulgated by the DfES.

Recommendation

That the draft School Organisation Plan 2003/04 - 2007/08 be commended to the Executive Member for Education, for publication and consultation.

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.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works

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

DfES letter "School Organisation - Revised Regulations" dated 30 May 2003.