Report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough – for information.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out proposals for the expansion of primary school places to meet expected demand in between 2021-24.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

Report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough – for information.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Children’s Services which detailed the need for primary school places across the Borough between 2021 and 2024. It was reported that a peak in births for the 2021/22 Primary school intake birth rates appeared to be levelling off and there had been a subsequent reduction of numbers in some area of the Borough. However in-year applications for school places continued to be high with the usual rate of key stage 1 (age 5 - 7 years) and increased numbers arriving at Year 3 and above.

Large numbers of new housing developments across the Borough, in the last few years, had impacted on the ability of the Council’s school admissions team to provide school places in schools of preference, especially so in certain localities.

Forthcoming and planned housing developments especially in the Pennines, South Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood parts of the Borough meant that some expansion of the school estate would continue to be needed. In some places inability to further extend schools would require that new schools be built. Where a new school and site was being delivered through developer contributions, a trust will be needed to run the school and the ‘Free School Presumption Route’ would need to be followed.

The Committee was advised that this report was presented to the Cabinet, at its meeting held 29^th September 2020, where the recommendations contained therein, were approved.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough – for information.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out proposals for the expansion of primary school places to meet expected demand in between 2021-24.

Resolved

That the report be noted.

Report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough – for information.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out proposals for the expansion of primary school places to meet expected demand in between 2021-24.

Resolved:

1.    That the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services which provided details about the need for Primary School Places 2021-2024.

Alternatives considered:

Alternatives are constantly under review and any impacts of the current pandemic on house building rates or timing of new developments will have knock on effects on school capacity.

Resolved:

1.    That the expansion of the Primary school estate as detailed within the report be supported;

2.    That the opening of a consultation on proposals to address the need for extra Reception places be approved;

3.    That the provision of a new Primary school needed as part of the junction 19 development, which will be required to be provided through developer contributions and using the Free school Presumption route be noted;

4.    That the capital expenditure on bulge classes in north Pennines and Middleton be approved.

Reasons for the decision:

The council has a statutory duty to provide education and school places to all school aged children living in the borough and consequently has a duty to plan adequately for predicted pupil numbers.

Current housing development plans along with the housing allocations defined in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, GMSF (currently still under consultation) dictate that pupil numbers in Rochdale may continue to grow in some localities and plans must be put in place to create the needed school capacity. New housing build rates have been above those required to be delivered by the GMSF for two years.

Parental choice creates a situation where parents who can, are more likely to travel longer distances to school, this means that spare capacity is more likely to be concentrated in fewer schools and consequently over supply of school places is a consideration. Falling birth rates and increased housing mean that places are constantly under review.

Report of Director of Children’s Services regarding future primary school provision in the Borough.

The Committee scrutinised a report of the Director of Children’s Services which provided details about the need for Primary School Places 2021-2024.

The Committee was informed that the Council has a statutory duty to provide education and school places to all school aged children living in the borough and consequently had a duty to plan adequately for predicted pupil numbers.

Current housing development plans along with the housing allocations defined in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, GMSF (currently still under consultation) dictated that pupil numbers in Rochdale would continue to grow in some localities and plans must be put in place to create the needed school capacity. New housing build rates have been above those required to be delivered by the GMSF for two years.

Parental choice created a situation where parents who can, are more likely to travel longer distances to school, this means that spare capacity is more likely to be concentrated in fewer schools and consequently over supply of school places is a consideration. Falling birth rates and increased housing mean that places were constantly under review.

The Committee was advised that this report was being submitted to the Cabinet, at is meeting to be held on 29^th September 2020, for determination.

Resolved:

The Committee supports the proposals detailed in Section 2 of the submitted report and recommends their adoption by the Cabinet when that body considers this report on 29^th September 2020.