Issue - meetings

[Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation, to present report]

Bill Hague, Head of School Organisation, presented a report on the Secondary School Expansion Programme 2019-20 and invited panel members to comment on the proposals. The panel were advised that comments on the proposals would be included in the report to Cabinet on 21 November 2018.

The panel were briefed on work done to provide both temporary and

permanent solutions to meet short and medium-term demand for secondary school places in Wolverhampton. The Head of School Organisations commented on the range of challenges facing the service in meeting demand and avoiding an oversupply of school places.

The Head of School Organisations explained work done to assess demand for places and the options for meeting the changing needs of the local population.

A key challenge facing the Council is that it is not in full control of all the factors relating to the effective and timely supply of school places in Wolverhampton. The Regional Schools Commissioner is responsible for determining if academies can expand to meet increased demand for places.

The panel were advised that the Council were not planning to establish any new primary schools at present. However, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has proposed the opening of a primary free school in the Wednesfield South Ward. The Secretary of State is the decision maker in relation to any applications to establish a Free School. This decision will have implications for meeting the demand for secondary school provision in the future, if approved.

The panel were briefed on the level of a future demand for secondary school provision and the options for meeting this need. A key aspect of the strategy of meeting demand for extra places is working with schools to fully utilise the existing space, where possible before undertaking any major building work.

The panel discussed the assessment of proposals relating to each of the schools listed in the report.  The panel expressed concern about schools being be allowed to expand if they are performing poorly according to Ofsted.

The Head of School Organisation reassured the panel of what action the Council would take in such circumstances to ensure children received a good education.

Resolved:

1.    The panel agreed to note the report and the progress made to meet the projected demand for secondary school places in the future.

2.    The panel note the options being discussed for increasing school capacity and level of funding required to deliver them.

The meeting closed at 19:40

FIELD_SUMMARY

</LAYOUT_SECTION>

<TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

1.FIELD_TITLE

</TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_SUMMARY

</COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION>