Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, seeking permission to go out to statutory consultation on the proposal to increase the published admission number at The Cedar Special School and The Polygon Special School.

(i)  To approve the publication of statutory proposals to:

a)  Increase the PAN of Cedar Special School from 80 to 90 pupils from 1 January 2021 resulting in an increase in total school capacity and pupil numbers of 10 once the proposals have been fully implemented across all age ranges.

b)  Increase the PAN of The Polygon Special School from 60 to 70 pupils from 1 January 2021 resulting in an increase in total school capacity in pupil numbers of 10 once the proposals have been fully implemented.

(ii) To note, a further report to determine the proposals following a 4 week period of representation will be brought to Cabinet within 2 months of the close of the representation period.

1.  To comply with the statutory guidance ‘Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools the proposal and notices must be published allowing a 4 week period for representation (formal consultation) prior to the final decision and implementation

2.  Both The Cedar and The Polygon Schools have been operating above their published numbers for the last year.  With the expectation that pupil numbers will continue to rise it is important that the published admission number reflects the number on roll and the capacity of the school.  All schools are required to have a published admission number.

1.  This proposal is formalising a current situation where both schools are currently above their PAN

2.  Due to the complexity of needs, children identified as needing a place at either of these schools will have to be educated in an alternative Special School out of the city, either Local Authority or independent if sufficient places are not available.  The former will attract the same level of funding as Southampton Special Schools and will require pupils to spend avoidable time and discomfort in travelling. Other Local Authorities have the same pressures on their Special Schools and a shortage of places. Independent Special Schools cost significantly more, in the region of £70,000 per place (including transport), and again will have the negative impact of daily travel on the child and additional travel costs. Both of these options will impact on the home to school transport budget.