Background Information:
The age-range of Stone Bay (Community Special) School changed from 8-19 years to 5-19 years from September 2019 with the introduction of KS1 classes. The school, together with KCC, now wish to extend the provision to include a reception class (EYPS) to enable the school to take children from aged 4 in order to meet local need for reception specialist places.
Decision:
The Cabinet Member for Education & Skills is asked to:
(i) Issue a public notice to permanently change the age range of the school and increase the designated number of the school and subject to no objections being received to the public notice; and
(ii) Change the age range from 5-19 years to 4-19 years in order to provide reception places and to increase the designated number from 80 to 90 to respond to the demand for specialist places.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Broadstairs;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/04/2020
Decision due: Not before 12th May 2020 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
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 Education and Skills
Lead director: David Adams
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Marisa White, Area Education Officer - East Kent Tel: 03000418794 Email: marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01227 284407.
Consultees
A public consultation period will be held from 3 March 2020 to 31 March 2020.
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-consultations
Financial implications: The School is proposing to refurbish and reconfigure current classrooms to accommodate a reception class with a care suite and toilets and create an outdoor learning and play area this has been costed at £75,000. As per KCC policy a total of £6,000 per newly provided classroom will be provided to the school from the DGS revenue budget. KCC will work closely with the senior leadership teams of the school to ensure that all appropriate accommodation and facilities are provided to enable them to deliver an effective curriculum.
Legal implications: The provision of sufficient school places is a statutory duty and contributes to the Strategic Business Plan Priorities to ensure that “Children and Young People in Kent get the best start in life”.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been produced as part of the consultation process. The assessment identified the following positive impacts: Reception aged children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), profound, severe and complex needs and additional comorbidities needs in the Thanet district will be able to attend provision local to their homes. There will be an increase in the total number of places available for children with Complex Needs and ASD. No adverse impacts were identified during the assessment. The outcome of the public consultation and community consultation will enable the Local Authority to test out these assumptions.