Decision details

Report on public and statutory consultation and scheme proposals for St. Mark’s C of E All-Through School. Proposals for secondary expansion. Improvement scheme for Chamberlayne College for the Arts and SEND Capital Investment Requirements.

(i)  Following Statutory Notice in accordance with the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools Regulations) 2013 and having had regard to all representations received, it is agreed to extend the age range at St Mark’s C of Primary School  to provide education for children from Age 4 to 16 from September 2022.

(ii)  To progress with the proposed scheme at Chamberlayne College for the Arts to refurbish the main teaching block and landscaping of the site total Cost £8m.

(iii)  To progress a proposed scheme at St. George Catholic College to provide adequate accommodation on site for a six form entry (6FE) school.  Cost £2.6m.

(iv)  To progress a proposed scheme at Cantell School to improve dining spaces and external landscaping to provide adequate accommodation on site for an eight form entry (8FE) school. Cost £1.2m.

(v)  To progress the proposed scheme to build St. Mark’s All-Through School with a budget of £39.8m (including for all contingencies).

1.  Council approved an addition to the Education Capital Programme on the 21st February 2018 of £67.45m for the Capital Programme.

2.  There is an expected requirement to increase the overall number of secondary places in the city by 1,500 places, in the Central Planning region, in order to accommodate the demand for secondary places by 2022. There is a statutory duty placed on local authorities to provide sufficient school places as set out in s.14(1) of the Education Act 1996.

3.  Additionally, Southampton City Council (SCC) is bound by the Prescribed Alterations to Schools Regulations 2013 which sets out the statutory consultation framework required to make any amendments to schools. Building a new school and expanding existing schools falls within these regulations.

4.  Recommendation set out in the Cabinet Report in July 2018 to report after public and statutory consultation.

1.  In relation to St Marks C of E the Council, as statutory decision maker can only

a) approve the proposals as advertised,

b) approved the proposals as advertised, subject to modification in accordance with the Regulations, or

c) reject the proposals.

The range of decision options open to the Council in accordance with prescribed school organisation decisions is limited to the above.

2.  Expansion of St. Anne’s Catholic School.  Site survey has indicated that is not feasible to expand this school within the time frame required for additional places due to the physical constraints of the site.  Support for the potential future possible expansion of the school via a Condition Improvement Fund, (CIF) bid by the Academy should not be ruled out.

3.  Expansion of St. George Catholic College to seven forms of entry, (7FE).  This is not feasible within the time frame or budget of the Capital Programme should potentially be considered beyond 2022 if further secondary places are required in the City.

Cabinet considered the following recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15th March 2019:-

(i)  That in the development of the travel plans for the St Mark’s site, officers utilise opportunities to engage with cycling groups in the city to assist with the design of the cycle routes to the new all-through school.

Response:

Recommendation noted and welcomed.