The Kent Commissioning Plan for Education
Provision 2013-18 identified the need for a new two-form entry
primary school at Finberry, Cheeseman’s Green in the Ashford
district. 1.2 The Local Authority sought promoters for the new
academy and Stour Academy Trust were chosen by the Secretary of
State for Education to promote the new school. The academy will be
established through a funding agreement with the Education Funding
Agency (EFA) and open on land owned by the local authority.
Agreement is needed to allocate £6 million from the Education
and Young People’s Services Capital Budget in order that the
proposal may go ahead.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Ashford Rural East; Ashford Rural South;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/03/2015
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) 03000 414989 and 03000 416677 Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559, Kevin Shovelton, Director Education Planning & Access Email: kevin.shovelton@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Financial Implications
The proposal requires the provision of a new 2FE school building on
the Finberry development, Cheeseman’s Green, Ashford.
a. Capital
The total cost for the new school project is estimated to be
£6 million. The costs of the project 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 allocate the additional funding.
b. Revenue
i. Furniture and Equipment - £6,000 per classroom will be
provided towards the cost of furniture and equipment. This will be
given to the new school’s leadership team for them to
undertake procurement.
ii. Start up Costs: KCC will provide a budget of £50,000 for
start-up costs which will typically commence from January through
to 31 August prior to the new school opening on 1 September 2015.
This is to cover the costs of employing appropriate staff. On
opening, the new school will be funded directly by the Education
Funding Agency.
iii. Pupil Growth Funding: In accordance with the Pupil Growth
Policy established by KCC and its Schools’ Funding Forum, the
school will receive guaranteed funding as follows:
• Year 1 - 90 pupils
• Year 2 - 120 pupils
• Year 3 - 150 pupils
Human – The school will appoint additional teachers and
support staff as required.
Bold Steps for Kent and Policy Framework
This proposal will help to secure our ambition “to ensure
every child will go to a good school where they make good progress
and can have fair access to school places” as set out in
‘Bold Steps for Education’.
The Kent Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2013-18 set out
the additional demand for school places to be met by commissioning
additional places across Kent.
Kent County Council’s strategy for children and young people
with special educational needs and who are disabled (SEND)
identified the need to add 275 additional SEN places in Kent for
pupils with Autism and Behavioural Needs.
Equality Impact Assessment
An Equality Impact Assessment was completed as part of the process
to seek Academy promoters. To date no comments have been received
and no changes are required to the Equality Impact
Assessment.
Consultees
Link to Cabinet Committee consideration in July 2015 as part of a report on Capital Funding allocations:
https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=832&MId=5822&Ver=4
Financial implications: David Adams, Area Education Officer – South Kent 03000 414989 david.adams@kent.gov.uk Kevin Shovelton, Director of Education Planning and Access 03000 416677 kevin.shovelton@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 15/00022
Equalities implications: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m