Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, seeking a decision on increasing the published admission number at The Cedar Special School and The Polygon Special School following statutory consultation.

(i)  To consider and determine the representations made in response to statutory consultation and to approve the following statutory proposals, without modification, for implementation:

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

b)  To 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 of 10 pupils once the proposals have been fully implemented.

1.  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.

2.  The proposals were consulted on prior to statutory notices and as part of the statutory consultation process with both schools’ Senior Leadership Teams, Governing Bodies, staff and parents.  The proposals were also sent to the Unions. During statutory consultation the notices were placed on school gates and in reception areas, sent to all parents and to the Parent Carer Forum and sent out via social media.  Comments were received from 6 respondents – see Enclosure 4 for details of the feedback received and the SCC response.  The feedback centred mainly around concerns regarding staff: pupil ratios.  As funding follows the pupil, any increase in pupil numbers will attract an increase in funding for additional staffing.  All respondents were satisfied with this assurance.

1.  To approve the proposals with minor modifications (requires further statutory consultation).

2.  To reject the proposals as advertised in full.

3.  It is not considered appropriate to modify or reject the proposals because 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 options will impact on the home to school transport budget.