Background:
The County Council’s Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent 2019-23 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 viewed from this link:
KCC forecasts indicate a growing demand for Year 7 places in Gravesend from the start of the 2019-20 academic year. The Gravesend and Longfield Non-Selective Planning Group is forecast to have a deficit of 74 Year 7 places (2.5FE) from 2019-20 that increases to a deficit of 316 places (10.5FE) by 2023/24.
Thamesview School has a Published Admission Number of 150, but offered 30 extra places in 2016, 2017, 2018 and for the September 2019 intake.
KCC propose increasing the amount of school social space including, dining, recreational and circulation space over the next twelve months. Without this building work, the school considers it may be unable to offer 180 places for September 2020. It is therefore proposed that for the September 2020 intake Thamesview maintain their PAN at 150 but will consider whether they can offer an additional 30 places nearer the time.
KCC propose planning and building a new block at the school, together with other infill work. 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.
Decision:
To publish a Public Notice on a proposal to expand Thamesview School, Thong Lane, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 4LF by increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) from 150 places to 210 places from September 2021; and support further resources being expended to enable the scheme to proceed to planning stage.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Gravesend East;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 16/09/2019
Decision due: Not before 16th Oct 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: Ian Watts, Assistant Director Education, North Tel: 03000 414302 Email: ian.watts@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 414302.
Consultees
A Public Consultation ran from 24th June 2019 to 19th July 2019, with a drop-in day for stakeholders to raise issues and concerns on 4 July 2019. The consultation included the community and other stakeholders, including the following groups:
§ All schools in the Gravesham Borough
§ Elected Members (Kent County Council, Gravesham Borough Council)
§ Parish and Town Councils
§ Local MPs
§ Dioceses of Rochester and Southwark
§ Church Groups
§ Residents Groups
§ Children’s Centres, Community and Voluntary Groups, Youth Groups
Consultation page on kent.gov:
https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/Thamesview/consultationHome
The report was submitted to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee meeting on 1st October 2019.
Financial implications: A feasibility study has been carried out which estimates the cost of delivery being between £4.0m and £4.5m, wholly funded by the CYPE Basic Need Capital Budget. Subject to Members support for the proposal to progress, these estimates will be refined as detailed design work is undertaken and the scheme progresses through the planning process. In line with the agreement of Cabinet Committee on 7 May 2019, the capital figure reported here is a budget estimate for information only. Following receipt of planning permission, the refined budget estimate will be presented to Infrastructure Commissioning Board and the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education for a key decision to be made.Members are asked to support further resources being expended to enable the scheme to proceed to planning stage.
Legal implications: Contracting for KCC framework building contractors
Equalities implications: An EqIA has been completed and can be viewed here: https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/Thamesview/consultationHome