Background Information:
St Nicholas (Community) Special School is a day provision providing for 268 boys and girls aged 4 to 19 with Profound, Severe and Complex Needs (PSCN). Currently St Nicholas has a designated number of 285. In addition to the main building at Holme Oak Close, the school currently operates primary satellite provisions at Chartham Primary School and Canterbury Primary School. St Nicholas School also has secondary satellite provision at Spires Academy and an informal arrangement at the Whitstable School, as well as with Canterbury College for post 16 students. The satellites provide St Nicholas students with opportunities for integration at a mainstream school. The new satellites will provide additional opportunities and choice for integration for both primary and secondary pupils.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Canterbury City North; Canterbury City South;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 29/10/2019
Decision due: Not before 2nd Dec 2019 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: Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead director: Keith Abbott
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Marisa White, Area Education Officer - East Kent Tel: 03000 418794 Email: marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01227 284407.
Consultees
A public consultation period was held from 9 September to 7 October 2019: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-consultations
The report was considered and endorsed at the CYPE Cabinet Committee on 15 November 2019.
The views of the Local Member were sought during the consultation period and included in the report to Cabinet Committee on 15 November 2019.
Financial implications: St Johns Primary School has identified a classroom to provide the space needed to create the satellite provision. Developer contributions of £24,548.70 will be provided for the cost of refurbishments. Canterbury Academy will be provided with a 4 classroom modular building established on the site to accommodate the satellite provision. The cost of moving and refurbishing the Foxwood mobile units has been estimated at £580,843.93 and will be funded from the Education Capital budget. As per KCC policy a total of £6,000 per newly provided classrooms will be provided to the school from the DGS revenue budget. For this project a total of £30,000 will be provided for the establishment of the satellite provisions. KCC will work closely with the senior leadership teams of both schools to ensure that all appropriate accommodation and facilities are provided to enable them to deliver an effective curriculum.
Legal implications: Any legal implications were identified in the report to the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been produced as part of the consultation process.