Decision details

Reason for the decision:

Kent County Council (KCC) as the Local Authority has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available. The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2020-24 is a five-year rolling plan which is updated annually. It sets out our future plans as Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision across all types and phases of education in Kent. A copy of the plan can be found using this link:

http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/education-skills-and-employment-policies/education-provision

Background:

Forecasts indicate a growing demand for Year 7 places in Gravesham from the start of the 2020-21 academic year.  The Gravesham and Longfield Selective Planning Group is forecast to have a deficit of 62 places (2FE) for the 2021-22 intake and increases again to 99 places (3.3FE) by 2023/24.

As part of the measures being taken to address the capacity issues illustrated above, KCC is proposing that Mayfield Grammar School increase their PAN to 210 from September 2021.

To expand Mayfield Grammar School, KCC are proposing the removal of the old wooden block and building a new block at the school, together with other infill and enhancement work to social spaces.  This work would be completed before the September 2021 intake.  This build would enable the school to offer 210 Year 7 places for September 2021.

Options:

Mayfield Grammar School is a popular school that was judged Outstanding in every area by Ofsted in 2013. 

The school site lends itself to expansion for a number of reasons including the age and sustainability of existing structures, proximity to local demand and sympathetic leadership and governance.

The school is the only girl’s grammar school in the Gravesham and Longfield Selective Planning Group, so is therefore the only option.

If no action is taken, Kent County Council will find it extremely difficult to provide sufficient local selective secondary school places in Gravesham borough.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

The provision of sufficient school places is a statutory duty and contributes to theStrategic Business Plan Priorities to ensure that “Children and Young People in Kent get the best start in life”.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills agrees to:

i.       Agree to provide £3.7m from the school’s basic need capital budget to progress the          proposal to expand Mayfield Grammar School, Pelham Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0JE from 180 places to 210 places for Year 7 entry in September 2021;

ii.      Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services in consultation with the General Counsel and Director of Education to enter into any necessary contracts / agreements on behalf of the County Council;

iii.     Authorise the Director of Infrastructure, Strategic and Corporate Services to be the          nominated  Authority Representative within the relevant agreements and to enter into variations as envisaged under the contracts.