Decision details

To consider the report of the Head of Education seeking permission to publish a School Organisation Plan 2013-2022. This document outlines Children’s Services’ school place planning priorities and policies over the next 10 years.

(i)  To approve the content and publication of the School Organisation Plan.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the appropriate officers to review, update and amend the School Organisation Plan as necessary. 

1. Southampton City Council has a statutory duty to provide a school place to all children aged 4-15 that are living in the City.
2. In the last five years the City has experienced a significant increase in the birth rate and subsequently the demand for Early Years and primary places has risen. Further to this we anticipate an increase in the number of secondary school, SEN, alternative provision and post-16 places.
3. This document will show schools and other key stakeholders the roles and responsibilities of the Local Education Authority, estimated demand for school places, the policies under which the council is working to, the Local Authority’s approach to, and priorities for, capital projects. The Local Authority’s work will be guided by the content of the School Organisation Plan and it is hoped that it will aid schools in their decision making going forward.

There is no statutory duty to have and publish a School Organisation Plan so the Local Authority could decide not to produce such a document. However, due the changing nature of education, particularly regarding the greater level of autonomy for schools and a rise in the demand for places, we feel it is important to publicise what the Authority’s key challenges and aims are. By sharing this information with schools, specifically that on pupil forecasts, it is hoped that they will consider current policies and the challenges that they and the City Council will face when decision making.

None.