01/12/2014 – An update has been sought to clarify the proposed decision timelines. The decision may be taken in two parts as 14/00084(a) Free School and 14/00084(b) but this will be confirmed in the next edition of the FED.
Approval is sought for a decision to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Corporate & Democratic Services to enter into relevant contracts for the construction of the Trinity Free School and the Sevenoaks Grammar Annexe at the Wilderness site.
The project is in line with Kent Corporate Objectives and in particular supports the following Bold Steps for Kent priorities to:
Help the Kent Economy grow: the construction cost value to the Kent economy will be a minimum of c£13.35m based on the SCAPE KPI of 70% of the capital value being spent in the local area.
Putting the Citizen in Control: there is currently no selective education provision within the Sevenoaks district, this puts the parents in the Sevenoaks area at a disadvantage as they need to travel out of district to selective provision in Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells areas. The Education Commissioning plan uses a district-wide model to provide consistency with the twelve district councils. The forecasts for selective schools most preferred for the Sevenoaks South population, 12 schools in number, all indicate a steady increase in demand for Year 7 places over the next 10 years. Therefore it has been calculated that demand for a selective school in the Sevenoaks area is required to meet the statutory basic need of education places.
To tackle disadvantage: Currently 1150 students travel outside of the Sevenoaks district to access Selective education each day. Whilst there is capacity for these students in neighbouring districts it does not avoid the need for all of these students to attend school in their local district area. (There could be a limited case to increase the size/capacity of the schools in neighbouring districts, but the estimated capacity of these schools will be absorbed by the increases in student numbers expected directly within these districts by 2018).
The Commissioning Plan was discussed at the Education Committee on the 27 September 2013.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 15/07/2014
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Decision due: Not before 28th Jan 2015 by Cabinet
To seek agreement to the proposals relating to the former Wilderness site, namely the constriuction of a Free School and a proposed Grammar School annex.
Lead director: Rebecca Spore
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Donald Farquharson, Head of Capital Projects 01622 696303 Email: donald.farquharson@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 696303.
Consultation process
The educational proposals have been subject to consultation process initiated by the schools involved. Planning permission has been granted for the proposed works.
Legal implications: 14/00084
Equalities implications: Affects more than 1 Electoral Division and expenditure will be over £1m