Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director for Children and Young People’s Services.

Recommendations

1.    That approval be granted to the commencement of a period of pre statutory consultation in relation to proposals to make prescribed alterations to the Willows Special School.

2.    That a further report be submitted outlining the outcome of pre statutory consultation and seeking approval to proceed to a period of statutory consultation.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the commencement of a period of pre-statutory consultation in relation to proposals to make prescribed alterations to the Willows Special School. Following the implementation of the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) phase 1 capital projects programme approved by Cabinet in February 2018, additional capacity was added at the Willows Special School by the building of additional teaching and learning spaces as an extension to the existing school building.

In March 2019, Cabinet approved the increase in registered places at the school from 100 to 120 and a change to the age range from 7-16 years to 7-19 years. However, demand for places had continued to increase and the School funded a capital project to convert the disused caretaker’s bungalow on site and other School space to create additional teaching and learning space. The number of pupils who would be attending the school in September 2021 was 175. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this has impacted on post-16 transitional arrangements for pupils which added to the numbers and plans in place to secure longer term transitional arrangements as part of 6^th form opportunities, reducing number of pupils on site.

Because of the increased cohort, it had become necessary to increase the number of registered places at the School. The proposals fell within the requirements of the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 because the number of pupils in a special school on a permanent basis had increased by 10% or 20 pupils (whichever was the lowest) which was expected to be in place for more than 2 years.  A capacity assessment at the School completed in April 2021 determined the capacity of the School to be sufficient for 150 pupils following the expansion project and adaptions.

The report sought approval to commence a period of pre-statutory consultation on the proposals to increase the number of planned places at the School from 120 to 150 by making the prescribed alterations.

Councillor Cusworth, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, explained that the increase was necessary. If Cabinet decided to reject the proposal it would mean some students would have to be removed from the School which would be negative for the students, their families and the Council. It was confirmed that a report would be brought back to Cabinet following the consultation.

Resolved: -

(1)  That approval be granted to the commencement of a period of pre-statutory consultation in relation to proposals to make prescribed alterations to the Willows Special School.

(2)  That a further report be submitted outlining the outcome of pre-statutory consultation and seeking approval to proceed to a period of statutory consultation.