Decision details

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning seeking to bring forward the implementation date for the opening of the Bitterne Park Sixth Form to September 2011 and to approve the admissions policy for the new Bitterne Park Sixth Form.

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve a modification to the Cabinet decision of 21^st September 2009 by way of alteration to the implementation date for the opening of Bitterne Park 6^th Form from September 2012 to September 2011.

(ii)  Subject to the approval of recommendation (i) above, to approve a modification to the Cabinet decision of 21^st September 2009 by way of approving the Admissions Policy for the early opening of Bitterne Park 6^th Form in September 2011 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. 

The school already has significant interest from prospective students and has suitable arrangements in place to accommodate them pending handover of the new building.

1.  The alternative considered was not to modify the original proposals as approved on 21^st September 2009.

2.  To reject the recommendations would deny prospective 6^th form students the option of continuing their education at Bitterne Park School. 

3.  The accommodation for provision of 6^th form places at the school is due to be completed in October 2011.  If 6^th form students were not admitted to during 2011, the new accommodation will potentially be left unused for a significant period of time.  The cost of keeping the building secure and maintaining it whilst empty would not be a good use of public funds and any costs could be avoided by allowing the school to admit 6^th form pupils from September 2011, who could then take up use of the building upon its completion, expected to be in October 2011.