To report the outcome of the consultation undertaken with the support of the Council by the Governing Body of Leighton Middle School on the proposal to provide new middle school places from September 2016.

1.      That the proposal to expand Leighton Community Middle School 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 be approved, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 January 2016.

2.      To authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve contractual arrangements to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in the report.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that set out the outcome of the consultation undertaken, with the support of the Council, by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School on the proposal to provide new middle school places from September 2016.  The proposal was to expand the school from 480 places to 600 places for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the published admission number from 120 to 150.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Education and Skills was aware of the concerns that this proposal would increase traffic in the area.  The Council’s Highways Officers were assisting the school with finding ways to mitigate traffic congestion.  If the proposal to expand the school was approved by the Executive then a planning application would be submitted to the Development Management Committee along with a traffic assessment.    The Executive Member would meet with the relevant Member to explain why it was appropriate to expand Leighton Community Middle School and not one of the other schools in the area.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to comply with its legal obligation to ensure sufficient school places were available.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposal to expand Leighton Community Middle School 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 be approved, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, thereby approving the commencement of the project and related expenditure, subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 1 January 2016; and

2.      to authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education and Skills, to approve contractual arrangements to undertake capital works required to deliver the proposed project in the report.