Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1) That the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be sought for applications for planning consent until 31 August 2013 for temporary classrooms at various school sites.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. This report supports each of the corporate priorities by ensuring that pupils are adequately accommodated until permanent accommodation is made available.

3) Recommendations:

3.1. That the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be sought for applications for planning consent until 31 August 2013 for temporary classrooms at:

· Costello Technology College, Basingstoke;

· Calthorpe Park Secondary School, Fleet.

· Laverstoke Park, Overton

· St Francis Special School, Fareham;

· Weeke Primary School, Winchester;

· Park Community School, Havant;

· Abbotswood Junior School and Bartley C of E Junior School to re-locate The Clifford Centre, Totton.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

Costello Technology College, Basingstoke.

1.1. The Basingstoke 14-19 Consortium was successful through the 14-19 Gateway 2 approval process in achieving agreement to deliver from 2009 the Hair and Beauty and ICT diplomas. Costello Technology College was identified by the Consortium to house the accommodation for these diplomas. It is felt appropriate that a double temporary classroom is provided to accommodate the necessary facilities as the implications of Building Schools for the Future have yet to be established and any permanent facility needs to be considered in that context. Due to significant pressures on the capital programme there is no funding available to provide permanent facilities in the short term. The school is contributing to the cost of provision together with use of the 14-19 block vote in the 2009/10 capital programme and the 2009/10 revenue budget for temporary classrooms as appropriate.

1.2. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of a double temporary classroom until 31 August 2013.

Calthorpe Park School, Fleet

1.3. Calthorpe Park School has a capacity of 1,050 places (Published Admission Number (PAN) of 210) and a current number on roll of 985. Historically there has been a larger number of pupils within the school's catchment area than its Year 7 capacity. However as many pupils allocated places in the main admission round process at the two Fleet secondary schools have not taken up their place in September the actual numbers of pupils living in Fleet and attending the two Fleet secondary schools is less than the total number of places. Demand for Year 7 admissions in September 2008 was such that the school agreed to offer places to 240 pupils in Year 7; it finally admitted 225 pupils from the primary schools in Fleet. The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) agreed on 22 May 2008 to provide the school with a double temporary classroom to accommodate these additional pupils.

1.4. Due to the high number of pupils within the catchment area it is expected that the school will again be oversubscribed from within the catchment area. At the statutory offer date of 2 March 2009, there were 487 Fleet based applications for the two secondary schools (Calthorpe Park and Court Moor PAN 220).

1.5. Discussions have been held with Calthorpe Park and agreement reached that the school would again agree to take above its PAN. Whilst it is not possible to be certain of the exact numbers it is felt appropriate to provide for the additional pupils expected with further temporary accommodation. It is important to provide additional teaching spaces, but there are also requirements to improve infrastructure as a result of the school increasing in size. The school has identified the need to increase the size of dining facilities, expand the hall and improve the changing facilities, all of which can be undertaken cost effectively by making small internal alterations. Undertaking some of these works will mean using existing teaching spaces and offices so additional temporary accommodation will be required to replace these lost spaces.

1.6. The provision of minor internal alterations and provision of additional temporary accommodation will allow the school to accommodate admissions above its PAN in 2009 and again if necessary in the immediate future. Further consideration will be given to accommodating the additional form of entry due to attend the school from Elvetham Heath Primary School in 2012. Further work will also be undertaken to assess the implications of proposed additional housing in Fleet at Hitches Lane and Queen Elizabeth Barracks and what educational response is needed. Developers' contributions will be sought to meet the capital costs of any additional provision required.

1.7. In order to meet the immediate impact it is recommended that three double temporary classrooms sized spaces are provided to meet the in-catchment demand for pupil places with one of these to be used as an administration facility.

1.8. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of three double temporary classrooms sized spaces until 31 August 2013.

Laverstoke Park Farm, Overton

1.9. Laverstoke Park Farm is committed to the production of fully organic produce. The owners of the farm wish to make the farm available to pupils so that they can learn about the complete process, from field to fork. Discussions have taken place to ascertain whether an education centre could be established on site. A suitable location has been identified, from where pupils will be able to reach all areas of the farm and study the processes involved in this type of farming.

1.10. It is recommended that a modular temporary classroom be placed on site until 31 August 2013. for this purpose at a cost of approximately £150,000, to be funded from the 2008/09 capital programme contingency. Following the placing of this unit the owners of the farm will insure, repair and maintain the unit to an appropriate standard to allow pupils to access this environment

1.11. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of modular temporary classrooms sized spaces until 31 August 2013.

St Francis Special School, Fareham

1.12. St Francis school is experiencing a rise in the number of pupils with complex needs which is putting pressure on the existing accommodation. Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) require additional space to enable the storage and operation of specialist equipment, as well as undertaking physiotherapy and personal hygiene routines.

1.13. The school does not have the necessary withdrawal rooms to provide one to one individual teaching sessions, particularly at key stage 4. The addition of the double temporary classroom would allow the school to integrate the PMLD students with their peers, as well as meeting their complex medical, physical and handling needs and support independent living skills.

1.14. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of a double temporary classroom until 31 August 2013.

Weeke Primary School, Winchester

1.15. The school has a capacity of 280 places with 284 on roll. The permanent accommodation at the school will be increased to 315 places for September 2010. However, the County Council, in consultation with the school governors, has agreed to a further increase in the school's PAN to 60 as a result of a rise in the number of catchment area children.

1.16. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of a double temporary classroom until August 2013. The cost can be met from the 2008/09 revenue budget for temporary classroom provision.

Park Community School, Havant

1.17. The school has a capacity of 900 places with 893 on roll.

1.18. The school wishes to expand its community provision, to include facilities for adult education and a multi-purpose medical room. It has funding available to support the location of two double temporary classrooms to meet this need. Initial discussions have been held with the school about whether permanent provision could be afforded instead of temporary classrooms, which would provide a much better solution in the longer-term. Permanent building could also be designed to be complementary to a wider solution to the school's accommodation needs as part of Building Schools for the Future (BSF), with Park being included in the first phase.

1.19. If a permanent solution cannot be achieved at this stage, however, temporary classrooms could be used to meet the need, pending BSF investment. It is recommended that approval from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources is sought to submit a planning application for the siting of a modular temporary classroom block until August 2013.

The Clifford Centre, Totton

1.20. The review of special school provision in the New Forest was approved by Cabinet on 21 May 2007 to transform special school provision in the New Forest by the establishment of a new special school catering for the full range of learning difficulties.

1.21. The Clifford Centre is currently located on the Forest Edge School site and is currently used as a base for the Behaviour Support Team (BST) who work to support primary school pupils through providing early intervention and preventative work with particular reference to pupil behaviour.

1.22. To enable the East New Forest capital project to take place, the Clifford Centre will require relocation. Negotiations to locate the Clifford Centre, are taking place with Abbotswood Junior School, Totton and Bartley C of E Junior School but are subject to the approval of the individual governing bodies. Therefore planning permission is proposed to be sought for both sites to ensure that the provision is in place for September 2009.

2) Outline of Options:

2.1. Not to provide temporary accommodation - this is not feasible given the forecast number of pupils on roll at the schools and The Clifford Centre.

3) Conclusions:

3.1. This decision supports each of the corporate priorities by ensuring that pupils are adequately accommodated until permanent accommodation is made available.

4) Recommendations:

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: