Background Information:
In 2016 it was agreed that Sellindge Primary School would be expanded by 0.5FE taking the school to 1FE. This was due to a new housing development of 250 homes opposite Sellindge Primary School. The developer committed to provide additional land for the School to enable the building to expand, plus £836K in financial contributions.
Since the paper was presented, further development in the Village has been consented which will require the school to expand further in order to ensure sufficient primary places. This development is to provide £528,000 towards the expansion. Additionally, the school is close to the proposed garden town of Otterpool Park (10,000 homes). If consented, the school is likely to be the only option for expansion to support the schooling needs of this community ahead of any school being built. The school is likely, therefore, to need to be expanded to 2FE in the future.
Options:
In order to meet the anticipated future demands and to secure best value for money it is proposed that the School is expanded in 2 phases. First through the provision of six classes. Second, the creation of a second storey of six class on top of the first phase. This would take the School to 2FE.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Elham Valley;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 19/03/2019
Decision due: Not before 17th Apr 2019 by Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Lead director: Keith Abbott
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) Tel: 03000 414989 Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559.
Consultees
This matter will be considered by the Infrastructure Commissioning Board on 30 April 2019 or 24 May 2019.
A consultation on expanding the school to 1FE was undertaken in 2016.
A report was submitted to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 28 March 2019.
Financial implications: £1,500,000 from the Children, Young People and Education Capital budget will be required to enable the first phase, a six-classroom block, to be added to the School. £39,389 is available currently from developer contributions with a further £1,377,885 plus indexation due.
Legal implications: N/A.
Equalities implications: The Equality Impact Assessment is in place. No adverse impacts have been identified at this point.