Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

a)  Secondary School Places

Cabinet Report - Coventry One Strategic Plan and Education Capital Programme

b)  SEND Phase One

Cabinet Report - One Strategic Plan – SEND proposal for the use of the Woodlands site

The Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided information to enable members to comment and respond to the consultation on the Education and Learning One Strategic Plan 2018-2022, including SEND (Special Educational Need and Disability) Phase One (Woodlands site).  There were 2 Cabinet Reports appended to the briefing note one which detailed proposals for Secondary school places, Coventry One Strategic Plan and Education Capital Programme (Cabinet Minute 46/18 refers).  The other Cabinet report was regarding proposals for the first stage of changes to SEND provision, One Strategic Plan -  SEND proposal for the use of the Woodlands site (Cabinet Minute 64/18 refers).

The Cabinet noted that Under Section 14 of the Education Act 1996, Coventry City Council had a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places and fair, appropriate access to education.  It was the Council’s role to plan, commission and organise school places in a way that raised standards, managed supply and demand and created a diverse infrastructure.

The Coventry One Strategic Plan, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, set out pupil forecasts for primary and secondary education planning areas in response to rising or falling pupil cohorts across the city.  It outlined the strategy proposed by the Local Authority and the Coventry Secondary Headteacher Partnership to meet the additional places required in secondary provision from 2019 – 2021.

It was proposed that the strategy would be a flexible document, able to adapt to shifting mechanisms of parental preference, unforeseen changes in supply and demand of school places, and future birth rates.  To do this, the One Strategic Plan would be monitored and updated annually, alongside a wider process of constant review of School Place Planning.  In addition, the procuring of places would take place annually so as to not create an unstable amount of school places.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been established to ensure partnership commitment between the Council and secondary schools (and would be rolled out to primary and special, subject to approval).  These partnerships signify a commitment and cooperation between the Council, governing bodies and school leadership teams to meet the educational needs of children and young people in Coventry, ensure the sustainability of Coventry schools, and to enable the City Council to meet its statutory obligations.

This partnership commitment signified a statement of intent to collaborate and work in partnership to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Coventry, ensure the sustainability of Coventry schools, and to enable the City Council to meet its statutory obligations. As part of this process, numerous options had been discussed at both full partnership meetings, and the Secondary Headteacher Executive. 

The Cabinet had also given approval in Principal to co-locate Woodfield Primary and Secondary Schools to the site previously occupied by Woodlands School, Broad Lane, Coventry.  The One Strategic Plan also outlined the strategy to meet the growing demand for places for children with special educational needs and disabilities including provision for children age 5 to 16, with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. This specialist provision was currently delivered by Woodfield Special School from two separate sites. It was acknowledged that the existing school buildings were deemed unsuitable for purpose in the long term and had insufficient capacity to meet the growing demand.

An opportunity had arisen to re-use the site which contained listed buildings, previously occupied by Woodlands School, to co-locate Woodfield School, in its entirety.  This would provide a future proofed fit for purpose educational environment, offering a full range of facilities including sport to learners, with the capacity for the provision to grow.  The potential utilisation of the ‘Woodlands site’ enabled the physical separation of phases specifically primary and secondary to ensure that pupils from either phase were able to benefit from age appropriate curriculum and resources.  The site security and design would ensure that pupils would only be able to access their own internal and external learning environment.

The report set out how the relocation could be facilitated and sought an “in principle” approval to proceed with a detailed feasibility study, consultation and, if appropriate, present final proposals for Council consideration and decision.

The Board questioned the Cabinet Member and officers on the following:

·  The reduction in the surplus capacity and the impact on parental preference

·  The projection calculations based on housing numbers

·  The impact on and views of all parents and young people affected by planned permanent expansions and in particular the effects on vulnerable groups

·  The delivery of recommendations by schools

·  Timescales for the proposals regarding Woodlands School

·  The number of pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools

·  The 240 additional places available in year 7 for 2019-2020

·  Managing risks

·  The impact of Brexit

·  The process for de-listing buildings

The Cabinet Member (Education) reassured the Board regarding the partnership in Coventry between schools, the single plan was a testament to their commitment to work collectively and that they were accountable to each other.  The Council were responsible for delivering something which it had limited control over.  Officers recognised that the trust boards and governors were also involved in the memorandum of understanding between schools and there was an investment into expansions.

Officers recognised that the reduced capacity would be below the recommended average however the geography of the City and the ability to travel around Coventry would be an advantage.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board agree the recommendations and request that the consultation include the views of parents and students at SEND schools and the schools that are planning to permanently increase numbers.