Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART II

    BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF): IMPLEMENTATION IN THE HAVANT/HORNDEAN AREA

    At its meeting on 27 April 2009 Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Children's Services which sought agreement to the detailed implementation of the school organisation aspects of Building Schools for the Future (BSF) in six mainstream and two special secondary schools (/decisions/decisions-docs/090427-cabine-R0420101739).


    Priority within the BSF programme is given to areas with poor GCSE performance and high deprivation and in Hampshire, the Havant/Horndean and Gosport areas score most highly on these criteria. Initial local consultations in these areas took place with the results being considered by the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) on 21 January 2009 ).

    The "preferred option" approved for consultation following the Executive Member meeting contained detailed proposals relating to the remodelling and/or partial rebuilding of a number of schools in the Havant/Horndean area, the net effect of which would be to reduce the overall percentage of forecast surplus places in 2019 from 15.4% to 5.4%. The most significant proposal within the preferred option was the closure of the current Staunton Community Sports College and the establishment of an 11-16 academy on the same site.

    Cabinet approved the submission of a Statement of Readiness to Partnerships for Schools (PfS), the DCSF's delivery arm for BSF. This statement proposed implementation of the first phase of BSF in Hampshire in part of the Havant/Horndean area, covering six mainstream and two special secondary schools. The second implementation phase will include the remaining three Havant mainstream secondary schools and the three Gosport secondary schools. Up to £120 million could be available for investment in secondary schools within the Havant/Horndean area while Hampshire, as a whole, may potentially be able to access up to £1billion from BSF over a period of ten years.

    Most but not all of the overall programme costs for refurbishment and redevelopment are funded through BSF but local authorities are also expected to contribute at least 10% of the overall programme costs through maximisation of investment opportunities, e.g. by reinvesting capital receipts. Officers are carefully examining possible strategies for generation of the capital funding that will be required to top up any BSF funding that is secured.

    To be allocated BSF funding local authorities (LAs) are required to:

      · provide local leadership for BSF;

      · develop and implement an education and community vision through a Strategy for Change;

      · agree transformation strategies with schools and other partners;

      · support individual schools in developing their own Strategies for Change, complementing that prepared by the LA ;

      · undertake long-term planning of school places across their areas in which current numbers, locations and groupings of schools will not be taken for granted;

      · procure and deliver design and building work.

    Local authorities are also required to demonstrate:

    · a commitment to the Government's choice and diversity agenda;

    · evidence that this will support the transformation of learning leading to enhancement of young people's life chances;

    · a capacity to manage surplus places effectively, particularly where this involves the achievement of significant reductions in unfilled capacity across an area

    Significant support for the proposals that were submitted to Cabinet was received through the consultation, with the proposal to close Staunton Community Sports College and establish an 11-16 academy on the same site being particularly welcomed. The decision taken on future school capacities in respect of Staunton Community Sports College and the named Havant/Horndean and Gosport schools supports the required BSF principles and Cabinet therefore agreed to pursue the option of an academy on the Staunton Community Sports College site, and to develop the building investment proposals put to them in respect of Cowplain Community School, Crookhorn College of Technology, Glenwood Special School, Hayling College, Horndean Technology College, Oaklands Catholic Voluntary Aided School, Park Community School, Purbrook Park School, Rachel Maddocks Special School and Warblington School, once the timescale for BSF investment in the area is confirmed. Implementation dates for any capacity changes will be agreed by the Executive Lead member for Children's Services (Education).