Kent’s Strategy for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aims to address, amongst other things, gaps in provision. Therefore, the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision in Kent (2015-19) sets out the intention to commission 250 additional SEN school places. The Plan also mentioned a specific need to expand Wyvern School by up to 80 places.
In reaching this decision I will take into account:
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: For Determination
Division affected: Ashford South;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/10/2015
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Keith Abbott, Director of Education Planning and Access 03000 417008 and 03000 414989 Email: keith.abbott@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 696588, David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559.
Consultation process
Financial Implications
a. Capital – The enlargement of the school requires the provision of additional classrooms, as well as ancillary facilities such as a medical room for the primary department. A feasibility study has been completed and the design is being developed. The total estimated cost of the expansion is likely to be in the region of £3.9 million.
b. Revenue - The school will receive increased funding through the Delegated Budget. Special schools are funded using the DfE Place Plus funding methodology for High Needs Pupils.
c. Human – The school will appoint additional staff as required, as the school size increases and the need arises.
Legal Implications:
Any legal implications will be explained in the report to the
Cabinet member prior to him taking his decision.
Equality Implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been
completed as part of the consultation. The equalities impact
assessment can be accessed 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
Public Consultation commenced on 8 September and ended on 5 October 2015. A public meeting was held on Tuesday, 15 September 2015.
A total of 31 written responses were received, 27 of which supported the proposal.
Views were sought from the following:
The Local Members Cllr D Smyth: Ashford South
The Headteacher and Governing Body
The Area Education Officer for South Kent
The Kent Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2015/19 was discussed at Education & Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee on 24 September 2014.
An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed as part of the consultation. To date no comments have been received and no changes are required to the Equality Impact Assessment.
Financial implications: David Adams Area Education Officer – South Kent 03000 414989 david.adams@kent.gov.uk Keith Abbott Director of Education Planning and Access 03000 417008 keith.abbott@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 15/00083