Jim McElligott.

There were no declarations of interest. 

[To conduct pre-decision scrutiny on primary school organisation strategy and to feed comments back to Cabinet.]

Cllr Hodgkiss welcomed new members to the working group. She explained that the working group had previously looked at the issue of primary school expansion.

Bill Hague told the working group that significant progress had been made on meeting the increased demand in school places. The report will be presented for approval to Cabinet on 25 June. BH told the working group that one of the most significant changes during 2014 was how pupil numbers are predicted across the city – previously such predictions were based on the City as one large planning area. BH told the working group that during planning for the year 2015/16, the city had been split into three planning areas. This should produce a more accurate picture of demand across the city.

Bill Hague told the working group that reception places need to be increased by 90 places in September 2014, which has been approved by Cabinet. He told the working group that all the additional places have allocated to pupils, showing that the pupil projections were accurate. Bill told the working group that the current levels of school places will be exceeded by demand in 2015. However, in 2017, demand is expected to drop again. Therefore, this changing need will be met by a mix of temporary and permanent solutions.

Cllr Brookfield expressed her appreciation that planning areas have become more accurate, but asked how the demand will be met within these smaller planning areas. She enquired whether the bulge classes are being added to the most popular schools, where pupils are currently being rejected due to capacity. Bill Hague told the group that 95% of parents secured one of their preferred schools last year, with each parent having five preferences. He told the group that he is confident that the Council will be able to meet demand.

Cllr Hardacre said that the group wanted assurance of how the schools had been chosen. Cllr O’Neill added that in the last two years, education appeals had increased dramatically. He asked how the numbers of requests for school places affected which schools were given bulge classes. Bill Hague responded that popularity of schools was taken into account. Cllr O’Neill enquired as to whether there will be planned bulge classes for secondary schools, particularly in Bilston where there will be increased demand. Bill Hague responded that there may be an issue of secondary school places around 2017.

Cllr Warren asked whether the projections of a dropping number of pupils in 2017, took into account the new residential developments. Bill Hague acknowledged that there were a number of developments planned across the city and told the working group that the school places team liaise closely with regeneration colleagues to consider new developments and potential repercussions. He added that other unpredictable factors can increase demand for school places, such as international arrivals and movement from London. He said that across the city, generally each cohort increases by the equivalent to one form entry (30 places) across the school year,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.