SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN (2005 REVISION)

1. The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 required all local education authorities to produce a School Organisation Plan (SOP). This was repealed with affect from 1 March 2005, in the light of the duty under the Children's Act 2004 for the publication of a Children and Young People's Plan. The County Council's last full plan, covering the period 2003/04 to 2007/08 was approved by the School Organisation Committee on 16 December 2003 and a non-statutory revision was approved by the former Executive Member for Education on 9 December 2004.

2. As well as being a statement on policies guiding the provision of school places, the SOP provides a valuable planning tool to respond to new housing developments and to the need to review surplus places. As it is unlikely that the Children and Young People's Plan will sustain the level of detail set out in the SOP, it was felt prudent to publish a revision in 2005 to take account of the latest data and projections. The future of the SOP will be considered in conjunction with the preparation of the Children and Young People's Plan.

3. On 26 October 2005, the Executive Member for Education approved the publication of the 2005 revision document which covers the period 2004/05 to 2009/10. It takes account of comments received in the course of consultation with schools and other interested parties. The updated Plan has been considered and supported by the Children's Services Policy Review Committee and has been published on the County Council's website. Copies will also be placed in public libraries and information centres.

4. The above decision supports aims 1, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy.

FELICITY HINDSON, MBE DAVID KIRK

Executive Lead Member Executive Member for

for Children's Services Education

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