Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning seeking approval for statutory consultation to begin in January 2011, on proposals relating to the future provision of primary school places throughout the City starting from September 2011.  

The birth rate in Southampton has been rising for the past few years resulting in a significant and unprecedented increase in demand for places in the City’s primary schools.  Consideration will be given to increasing capacity in schools through a number of options including where possible, reclaiming classrooms that are currently being used for other purposes.  A further report will be submitted to Cabinet asking for determination on the proposals and permission to implement them.

Modified recommendation 3(i):

1. To note the outcome of the pre-statutory consultation as set out in Appendix 1 of this report.
2. To make the following statutory proposals for changes to primary education in the city by enlarging the following schools in September 2011.

(i)  The enlargement by 15 places (0.5FE – forms of entry) per year group of Bassett Green Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1.5FE (45 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 315 to 420 by September 2017.

(ii)  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Glenfield Infant School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 3 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places) to 3FE (90 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 179 to 270 by September 2013.

(iii)  The enlargement by 10 places (0.33FE – forms of entry) per year group of Highfield CE Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1.16FE (35 places) to 1.5FE (45 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 233 to 315 by September 2017.  This enlargement would be carried out in conjunction with the CE diocese of Winchester.

(iv)  The enlargement by 15 places (0.5FE – forms of entry) per year group of Kanes Hill Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1.5FE (45 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 315 to 420 by September 2017.

(v)  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – forms of entry) per year group of Moorlands Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1FE (30 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 210 to 420 by September 2017.

(vi)  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – forms of entry) per year group of Shirley Warren Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1FE (30 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 210 to 420 by September 2017.

3. To make the following statutory proposals for changes to primary education in the city by enlarging the following schools in September 2012.

(i)    To revoke the proposals approved by Southampton City Council on 9^th July 2009 to change Banister Infant School (Community School) Banister Gardens, Westrow Road, Southampton, SO15 2LX from an infant and nursery school to become an all through primary school by changing the age range of pupils to be admitted from 3-7 year olds to 3-11 year olds from September 2013 increasing the size of the school from 135 pupils to 315 pupils by September 2016.  Instead, the following alterations will be made to Banister Infant School (Community School) Banister Gardens, Westrow Road, Southampton, SO15 2LX from 1^st September 2012.  To increase admissions to Banister Infant School by admitting a further 15 pupils to Year R (age 4) from September 2012 and continuing each school year until all years have been expanded and from 1^st September 2013 to change Banister Infant School from an infant and nursery school to become an all through primary school by changing the age range of pupils to be admitted from 3-7 year olds to 3-11 year olds. In order to achieve the change of age range up to 60 pupils will be permitted to transfer from Year 2 (age 6) to Year 3 (age 7) or be admitted as casual vacancies to Year 3 (age 7) from September 2013 and in subsequent school years. This will have the effect of enlarging the school from 162 places to 420 places by September 2018. The current net capacity of the school is 162 (excluding the nursery) and the proposed net capacity will be 420 statutory school age places.  The current number of pupils registered at the school is 130 (excluding the nursery).  The current admissions number is 45 and the proposed admission number will be 60.

(ii)  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Fairisle Infant School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 3 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 270 to 360 by September 2014.

a.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Fairisle Junior School, with implementation from 1 September 2015, beginning with Year 3 and continuing incrementally until all 4 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 360 to 480 by September 2018.  This proposal is to be treated as linked to 3(ii) above.

b.  The enlargement by 15 places (0.5FE – forms of entry) per year group of Harefield Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1.5FE (45 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 315 to 420 by September 2017.

c.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Tanners Brook Infant School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 3 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 270 to 360 by September 2014.

d.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Tanners Brook Junior School, with implementation from 1 September 2015, beginning with Year 3 and continuing incrementally until all 4 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 360 to 480 by September 2018.  This proposal is to be treated as linked to 3(v) above.

e.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Valentine Infant School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 3 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 270 to 360 by September 2014.

f.  Linked to this is the enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Heathfield Junior School, with implementation from 1 September 2015, beginning with Year 3 and continuing incrementally until all 4 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 3FE (90 places) to 4FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 359 to 480 by September 2018.  This proposal is to be treated as linked to 3(vii) above.

g.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Sholing Infant School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 3 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places) to 3FE (90 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 174 to 270 by September 2014.

h.  Linked to this is the enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Sholing Junior School, with implementation from 1 September 2015, beginning with Year 3 and continuing incrementally until all 4 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places) to 3FE (120 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 239 to 360 by September 2018.  This proposal is to be treated as linked to 3(ix) above.

i.  The enlargement by 15 places (0.5FE – forms of entry) per year group of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1.5FE (45 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 315 to 420 by September 2017.  This enlargement would be carried out in conjunction with the RC diocese of Portsmouth.

j.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – forms of entry) per year group of St Mark’s CE Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2012, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places) to 3FE (90 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 459 to 630 by September 2017.  This enlargement would be carried out in conjunction with the CE diocese of Winchester.

(iii)  To note enlargements to the following schools which do not need statutory proposals, but will be actioned through the annual admissions process in due course.

a.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Beechwood Junior School, with implementation from 1 September 2014, beginning with Year 3 and continuing incrementally until all 4 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places) to 3FE (90 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 311 to 360 by September 2017. This proposal is to be treated as linked to 2(ii) above.

b.  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – forms of entry) per year group of Mansel Park Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2011, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all 7 years have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1FE (30 places) to 2FE (60 places) per year group, and increasing the net capacity from 358 to 420 by September 2017.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the executive Director of Children’s Services & Learning, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services & Learning to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

(v)  To delegate authority to the executive Director for Children’s Services & Learning in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council to take any action necessary to comply with the requirements of the Schools Standards & Frameworks Act 1998 and associated legislation, including but not limited to the publication of Statutory Notices and compliance with statutory representation procedures, to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

1.  The rapid rise in the number of pupils requiring a school place over the last four or five years, has meant that severe pressure has been brought to bear on the school estate.  Forecasts indicate that this pressure is not likely to recede in the foreseeable future.

2.  Extra places are already being put in schools in the City Centre and Freemantle areas of the city as a result of the Primary Review Phase 1.

3.  The need for extra school places is not restricted to these two areas and is spread over a wide area of the city.  Consequently there is a need to expand a number of schools throughout the city by up to 30 places in each year group.  This enables demand for school places to be met locally, and reduces the likelihood of young people needing to travel long distances to go to school.

4.  If we are to maintain and improve the school experience we offer to our children we must ensure that their learning environment is conducive to a quality education.

5.  As a local authority we have a statutory obligation to provide every child who wants one with quality school place.  Failure to do so would mean we would be failing in one of our basic duties.

Not applicable.