Issue details

Financial Implications

KCC is proposing to relocate and enlarge Wouldham All Saints CEPS by 30 places taking the PAN to 60 (2FE) for the September 2017 intake and eventually a total capacity of 420 places.

1. Capital –  The proposed project is for the existing 1FE school to be rebuilt as a 2FE school with the infrastructure for potential expansion to 3FE in the future. The proposed scheme also incorporates a new SEN unit which will be a satellite hub of Ridgeview Special School in Tonbridge. The SEN hub consists of four classrooms, two for both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, each being able to accommodate 8 to 12 pupils. The proposed site is adjacent to a proposed residential development named Peters Village. Outline planning permission was granted on the 10th May 2006 consisting of the formation of development platforms including residential development and a mixed use village centre (including A1, A3, B1 community facilities). The nearby village of Wouldham has its own 1FE primary school, however the school is on a restricted site and would be unable to cater for the increased in population. It is therefore proposed that the school would be relocated and expanded on a site on the northern edge of Peters Village. The total cost is estimated to be in the region of £7,950,000. The costs of the project are to be allocated from the Basic Need Capital Budget which will be supplemented by substantial Developer Contributions and the capital receipt from the existing Wouldham All Saints CEPS school site. The costs are estimates and these may increase as the project is developed. If the cost of the project is greater than 10% the Cabinet Member will be required to take a further decision to allocated the additional funding.

Developer Agreement

Agreement has been reached on Heads of Terms with the developer Trenport (Peters Village) Ltd to sell to KCC the site for a 3 form entry school for £1, serviced and accessed via a vehicular bell mouth. 

On the transfer of the new school all obligations concerning Education Contributions and Education Land as set out in the May 2006 Section 106 Agreement will be cancelled and new obligations entered into to provide KCC with a total of £4.43 million by the end of 2018. The payment dates have been agreed in principle with Trenport.

1. Revenue

i.      The school will receive increased funding through the Delegated Budget on a 'per pupil' basis.

ii.    Growth funding will be provided annually for the new Reception Year class for three years. This will include a £6,000 contribution towards the set up costs of each class.

iii.   The costs of the satellite unit would be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant, with funding being provided to Ridge View School to run the provision.  A detailed agreement will be set out in a Memorandum of Understanding, which will be agreed and signed by both schools.

b.    Human – Wouldham All Saints CEPS and Ridge View School will appoint additional teachers and support staff, as the school size increases and the need arises.

The outcome of the Education Consultation will be discussed by the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee on 15 December 2015.

Other consultation planned or undertaken:

An Education consultation commenced on 7 October 2015 and closed on 11 November 2015. Further information is available on the School Consultation webpage : http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/wouldhamschool/consultationHome

Satellite Provision
Please note that a separate consultation is currently underway on the proposals to:
• establish a Satellite provision of Ridge View School at Wouldham All Saints CEP School for 48 students with moderate to severe learning difficulties and
• increase the designated number of Ridge View School from 180 to 228 from 1 September 2017.
The proposal to relocate and expand Wouldham All Saints CEPS is linked to, but not contingent upon the proposals listed above. Full details and a copy of the consultation paper can be found at: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/ridgeview/consultationHome

Views have been sought from the following:

Local Members: Peter Homewood  - Malling Rural North
Richard Long and Christopher Smith  -Tonbridge

Tracey Crouch MP, Chatham and Aylesford

The Rochester Diocese Board of Education

The Headteacher and Governing Body of Wouldham All Saints CEPS

The Headteacher and Governing Body of Ridge View School; and

The Head of SEN Assessment and Placement Area Education Officer