To seek support for the proposed consultation to provide new Middle School places in Leighton Buzzard from September 2016.

That the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School to permanently expand from a 4 form of entry (480 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, be approved.

The school will also be invited to prepare a business case which will be subject to consideration by the Council’s Executive in October 2015.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought approval to commence consultation to provide new middle school places in Leighton Buzzard from September 2016.  The Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School were proposing to expand from a 4 form of entry (480 places) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150, with effect from 1 September 2016.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Education and Skills was aware of the concerns about the impact that this would have on the traffic in the area and would carry out a traffic survey as well as looking for a solution to these concerns.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places and meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2008 regarding proposals to expand maintained schools.

RESOLVED

that the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School to permanently expand from a 4 form of entry (480 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, be approved.

The school will also be invited to prepare a business case which will be subject to consideration by the Council’s Executive in October 2015.

To consider and comment on proposal to increase the number of middle school places in Leighton Buzzard.

The Executive Member for Education and Skills introduced a report that sought the support of Members on the proposal for the provision of new Middle School places in Leighton Buzzard from September 2016.  The Governing Body at Leighton Community Middle school would carry out a consultation if support for this proposal is agreed by Executive on 7 July, 2015.  Members of the Committee were advised in detail on the process to expand school places.  The Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning explained that a lengthy process had been undertaken and the 9 policy principles had been adhered to in the planning of the expansion. The policy principles had been provided to new members as part of their induction pack.

A Ward Member for Leighton Buzzard advised that a previous briefing provided to ward members by the school organisation team, had proved confusing splitting the Leighton Buzzard school place planning area into Leighton Buzzard north and south.  Officers were asked again to look at the terminology used in such briefings.

In light of the report and clarification of the process the following concerns were raised:-

·         Why the Committee had not been asked to scrutinise the consultation document or consider the business case.  The Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning advised the consultation document was currently being drafted and would be issued by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School and would follow the national standard for the purpose of expanding a school.  Arrangements to notify Members of the Committee when the consultation was available would be made.

·         Whether the redevelopment of the Riverside Centre situated next to the school had been considered for redevelopment for the school’s use.  The Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning advised the Centre had been considered in detail and deemed unsuitable because of the costs involved to refurbish the building.

·         Whether future proofing of new school place projects had been achieved.  The Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning advised the expansion of Leighton Middle would resolve the shortfall of places for 2016 with a further proposal to be brought forward for 2017, ahead of new school provision to be provided to the east of Leighton Buzzard, the design of which would be future proofed with potential further expansion in mind.

·         Concern that a travel plan had been considered as part of the expansion.  A Member of the Committee advised that the school development programme was accurate, planned meticulously and included travel plans in his experience. The Head of Service confirmed that site access issues, although often challenging, were considered in high level initial options appraisals and would be covered in detail in design and subsequent planning applications.

RECOMMENDED

1.    To amend the second paragraph in recommendation 1 by removing the words ‘ decision to approve’ and replacing them with ‘consideration of’.

2.    Members of the Committee be notified of the publication of the school consultation

3.    That the Committee support the decision for Leighton Community Middle School to consult upon expansion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10