Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

EDUCATION

PART II

SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE - SCHOOL FOR PUPILS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES AND REPLACEMENT OF WOODLANDS EDUCATION CENTRE

1. The Executive Member has agreed arrangements to publish notices in respect of the proposal to transfer Sundridge School, Cowplain to new premises at Woolston Road, Havant and to enlarge the school to 49 places, subject to finance being available to fund the project. He has also taken the opportunity to approve the replacement of Woodlands Education Centre, Cowplain in new premises on the site of the former Park House Primary School, Havant.

2. It has long been an aspiration to make better provision for secondary pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties in South East Hampshire, many of whom are currently housed in Sundridge School at Sylvester Road, Cowplain; a facility which is substandard, with a very restricted site and no scope for expansion. There are some 119 secondary aged pupils in South East Hampshire with statements of special educational needs for emotional and behavioural difficulties and a distinct shortage of specialist resourced provision. The present Sundridge School provides places for only 33 pupils and needs to be expanded in order to cater for the demand. One possibility was the site of the former Park House Primary School, but it has been concluded that an alternative site at Woolston Road, Havant would be more suitable. It is 6.6ha in area and was previously used as playing fields; it will provide ample space for the proposed new school and its playing fields. The proposal has been the subject of consultation with staff, governors, parents and local residents and has received a broad measure of support on educational grounds.

3. The Woodlands Education Centre was located in a former primary school at Cowplain and catered for a total of 42 full time equivalent pupils. However, following a serious arson attack the facility has been occupying temporary buildings and the opportunity now exists to relocate it to part of the former Park House Primary School site. Although some concerns were expressed during consultations with teachers, staff, the Centre's Management Committee and local residents, there remains general support for the relocation on educational grounds given the fact that the result will be a purpose-built facility.

4. In both cases the proposed building development will not take up all of the sites concerned, and the funding of both relocations will depend on the successful disposal of surplus parts of each site for residential development. To that end there will be close consultation with Havant Borough Council on planning issues of residential development, including the mix of social/key worker housing; and the need for open space, recreational and community provision within the area. Further consultation on these issues will take place as part of the planning process.

5. The Executive Member is convinced of the urgent need to provide replacement, purpose-built facilities for both Sundridge EBD School and Woodlands Education Centre, in order to provide more adequate accommodation for the groups of pupils who will benefit from the education to be provided there. There is still some way to go in securing satisfactory funding arrangements; obtaining planning permission; and the public notice procedure. However he is confident that eventual agreement will be reached, in a way which will benefit pupils, staff and the local community. The proposals were supported by the Education Policy Review Committee who advised the Executive Member to proceed on that basis.

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