Decision Maker: Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decision:
That the comments of the School Places Working
Group be noted, in particular its
resolution that:
- That pupil roll projections and
other trend data set out in the report be noted;
- That a planning margin of 5% above
the GLA school roll projections is continued to be sought to
provide for local variations in need and to meet parental
preferences;
- That whilst there are, at the
moment, sufficient places available or planned to meet current and
projected demand for school places, the Council will work with
schools to safeguard the existing supply of school places as
required;
- That there are specific pressures
for placements for pupils with an Education Health and Care Plan
(EHCP) and that the Council works with
local schools, trusts and the DfE to bring proposals forward to
increase capacity and improve provision where necessary;
- That discussions be undertaken with
schools, multi academy trusts and the DfE, as outlined in this
report, to ensure a sufficient supply of mainstream school places
in the Borough, including through expansions and opening new
schools;
- That the potential delay to Harris
Kent House free school opening is noted and that it is recommended
that the Council engages in conversation with Harris Federation and
other academy trusts operating in the borough to ensure that there
are sufficient school places until the school opens;
- Where expansion is agreed, to
implement through the education capital programme (subject to the
availability of funds); and
- That the direction of travel for the
increase in local SEND provision be endorsed.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council has a statutory duty
to secure sufficient school places to meet demand in its area under
the Education Act 1996. Local
authorities are responsible for all children and young people with
SEN in their area under Part 3 of Children and Families Act
2014.
Bromley Council has an established
policy for the review and strategic planning of school places and
related school organisation. The need to ensure sufficient school
places, the quality of those places and their efficient
organisation is a priority within the Council’s strategy
‘Building a Better Bromley’ and contributes to the
strategy to achieve the status of an Excellent Council. This policy
also contributes to key targets within the Education, Children and
Families Portfolio Plan.
Publication date: 21/06/2021
Date of decision: 21/06/2021
Effective from: 29/06/2021
Accompanying Documents: