Decision details

(i)  To note the outcome of statutory consultation as set out in this report;

(ii)  To authorise the increase in pupil numbers at Bitterne Park  Secondary School to 1800; increasing the PAN of the School to 360 from 1 September 2017; and

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Director, People, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Change, to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

1.  The number of pupils requiring a place in the City’s Secondary Schools is set to increase as the current (and expected) high numbers in the City’s primary sector progress to secondary. The additional places at Bitterne Park Secondary School will help the Local Authority to meet its statutory duty to provide a School place to all young people who require one. The School is also currently oversubscribed and will need to expand to take account of parental choice.

2.  The buildings and infrastructure at Bitterne Park Secondary School are in need of renewal if the School is to continue to deliver the quality provision that has seen it rated as either Outstanding or Good with Outstanding features in its last three Ofsted inspections. This expansion will be funded by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) under the Priority Schools Building (PSB) Programme.

The Council could decide not to increase pupil numbers at Bitterne Park Secondary School but this would mean it would not be able to offer a School place to all those who require one. The Local Authority would either not meet its statutory duty to provide sufficient places or would need to fund the expansion of other Schools in the City (over and above those already planned).