The Canterbury district section of the Kent Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2015-19 has identified a need for 1,380 school places in the Herne, Sturry and Marshside planning areas, which exceeds the number of places available. Expanding Hoath Primary School from 63 places to 105 places will help to address these pressures and adheres to the principles of our Commissioning Plan as it increases capacity at a good, popular school.
In reaching this decision I will take into account:
1. the views expressed by those attending the consultation meeting on 14 October 2015, and those put in writing in response to the consultation;
2. the views of the local County Councillor; Governing Body of the school and Staff;
3. the Equalities Impact Assessment and any comments received regarding this; and
4. the views of the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Herne and Sturry;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/12/2015
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Keith Abbott, Director of Education Planning and Access 03000 417008, 03000 418794 Email: keith.abbott@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 696588, Marisa White, Area Education Officer - East Kent Email: marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01227 284407.
Consultation process
It is proposed to enlarge Hoath Primary School by 42 places increasing the PAN to 15 for the September 2016 intake and eventually a total capacity of 105 places.
a. Capital: The school will be provided with three additional classrooms. The original school hall, which is currently used as two classrooms, will be converted back to a hall. A feasibility study has been completed the total cost is estimated to be in the region of £950,000. Appropriate funding has been identified as part of the Medium Term Capital Programme. 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: The school will receive growth funding for the expansion period from September 2016 until it reaches a capacity of 105. The sum of £6,000 will be allocated towards the setup costs of the additional classroom.
c. Human: Hoath Primary School will appoint additional teaching and support staff, as the need arises.
Legal Implications: Any legal implications will be identified in the report to the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform before he takes his decision to issue a public notice.
Equality Implications: An Equality Impact Assessment will be produced before the start of the consultation process and will be accessible on line via the following link: www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations.
Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?
Yes
Consultees
The Education and Young People’s
Services Cabinet Committee met on 24 September 2014 and discussed
the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2015-19. The
Commissioning Plan was endorsed by the Cabinet Committee prior to
the final version being considered and approved by Cabinet on 13
October 2014.
A consultation meeting for parents/carers,
governors, members of staff and local residents was held on 14
October 2015. This meeting was combined
with the pre-planning consultation meeting and everyone had the
opportunity to view the plans for the enlargement.
Public consultation took place between 30 September and 4 November 2015.
A total of 59 written responses were received; 44 of the respondents supported the proposal to expand the school, nine were against the proposal and six were undecided.
Views were also sought from:
Local Member Herne and Sturry: Alan Marsh
The Headteacher and Governing Body
The Area Education Officer for East Kent
Financial implications: Marisa White, Area Education Officer for East Kent County Council 01227 284407 Marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Keith Abbott Director of Education Planning and Access 03000 417008 keith.abbott@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 15/00074