To seek support for the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Lower School, Biggleswade, each to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017. The report will also seek the support of the Council's Executive for the consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in Year groups 5-11) by September 2017.

1.         That the proposed commencement of consultation by Biggleswade Academy Trust to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported.

2.         That the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported.

3.         That the proposed consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in year groups 5-8 and 80 places in year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each year group 5-11, be supported.

4.         That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members, develop a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools, with the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee being updated at a future meeting .

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought support for proposed consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England Voluntary Controlled Lower School, Biggleswade, with a view to each expanding by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017.

The report also sought support for the consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in Year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each Year group 5-11.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continues to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by Biggleswade Academy Trust to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported;

2.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, be supported; and

3.      that the proposed consultation by Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in year groups 5-8 and 80 places in year groups 9-11) from September 2017 to provide a total of 180 places in each year group 5-11, be supported.

The Executive then discussed the recommendations from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning the development of a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members, develop a policy on the issue of effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools, with the Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee being updated at a future meeting .

Members are asked to scrutinise the proposals and strength of proposed provider(s) as set out within the report, and provide recommendations to the Executive Member prior to commencement of any consultation to expand:-

Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England (C of E) Voluntary Controlled (VC) Lower School, Biggleswade, each by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017, and;

Etonbury Academy, Arlesey, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in Year groups 5-8 and 80 places in Year groups 9-11) from September 2017. 

The Executive Member for Education and Skills introduced a report that outlined the proposals for the commissioning of new schools places in Biggleswade and Arlesey.  Both schools had met the criteria on requirement of places and student achievement and the proposal that Etonbury provide middle and upper provision had been welcomed.

In light of the report, Members raised the following concerns:-

·         Whether the plans to expand Etonbury would provide enough school places because of housing growth planned in the vicinity.  The Executive Member advised additional provision in the form of a free school model would be planned in the future.

·         If officers were confident the new build would be delivered on time.  The Head of School Organisation and Capital Planning advised that plans were well in advance and was confident the proposals would be delivered.

Members sought confirmation that improved provision for school drop offs and car parking at the schools had been included in the proposals.  In response the Head of Service advised that he transport and highways implications of every proposal for new and expanded school provision were considered as part of associated applications for planning permissions and that there is no explicit Council policy regarding the provision of drop off points specifically. All related highways measures required as conditions to planning consents are funded through the Council’s New School Places Programme.

Members were of the view that the provision of drop off points should be given enhanced consideration in the process of agreeing new school places.  In response the Head of Service advised that he has recently requested the assistance of colleagues from several service areas, to review and consider the Council’s current policy context in relation to school drop off points specifically.

In light of the discussion it was suggested that the Executive Member for Education and Skills should seek to ensure clarity of the Council’s policy  to provide effective and accessible drop off and pick up points at schools.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the Committee endorse the recommendations in the report to Executive.

2.    That a formal policy regarding effective and accessible “drop off” and “pick up” point at schools be produced.

3.    That ownership of the policy proposed at (2) be given to the Executive Member for Executive and Skills

4.    That the Executive Member update the Committee on the proposals at a future meeting.