Decision details

That the higher Greater London Authority (GLA) alternate roll projection methodology be adopted as the basis of primary school planning for 2014/15 and into the future.

That a margin of 2% be considered above projection to provide for parental choice in order to improve the rate of first choice allocations.

That the Primary School Development Plan Working Group be renamed the School Place Working Group to reflect the need to consider Secondary place planning into the future.

That discussions be undertaken with schools identified for expansion with a view to reporting the outcome to a future meeting of Education PDS Committee.

That feasibility studies be undertaken in consultation with identified schools to assess the scope and cost of school enlargement as set out below:

Planning Area 1 - Wards:  Crystal Palace, Penge and Cator, Clock House

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis to 3 FE (from 2 FE) at James Dixon Primary School for reception in 2014/15 as well as on a permanent basis. 

To consult with Harris Federation around the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis to 3 FE (from 2 FE) at Harris Primary Academy Kent House for reception in 2015/16 as well as on a permanent basis.

To consider the potential for other schools to expand as needed following consultation and feasibility studies.

Planning Area 2 - Wards:  Copers Cope, Kelsey and Eden Park

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 2 FE (from 1 FE) at Clare House Primary School.

To await the outcome of the free school submission proposed by Langley Park Boys and Girls Schools.

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 3 FE (from 2 FE) at Worsley Bridge Community Primary School in the medium term.

Planning Area 3 - Wards:  Shortlands, West Wickham, Hayes and Coney Hall

To keep school organisation and size in the area under review. 

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on either a temporary or permanent basis to 2 FE (from 1 FE) at St Mark’s C.E. Primary School if future demand was sufficient.

Planning Area 4 - Wards:  Bromley Town, Plaistow and Sundridge, Bickley

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 3 FE (from 2 FE) at Scotts Park Primary School.

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 3 FE (from 2 FE) at Parish C.E. Primary School. 

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of consolidating the PAN for St George’s C.E. Primary School to 2 FE (from 1.5 FE).

Planning Area 5 - Wards:  Bromley Common and Keston, Petts Wood and Knoll, Farnborough and Crofton

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 4 FE (from 2 FE) at Princes Plain Primary School on the Education Development Centre campus. 

To consider other options to meet the ongoing deficit of places in the Planning Area from 2016/17.

Planning Area 6 - Wards:  Chislehurst, Mottingham, Chislehurst North

To investigate, with Chislehurst C.E. Primary School and the Diocese of Rochester, the feasibility of relocating and expanding Chislehurst C.E. Primary School. 

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary or permanent basis to 2 FE (from 1 FE) at Edgebury Primary School.

Planning Area 7 - Wards:  Cray Valley West and Cray Valley East

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 2 FE (from 1 FE) at Midfield Primary School. 

To investigate, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE to 2 FE at St Paul’s Cray C.E. Primary School for reception in 2014/15. 

To consider scope for other schools in the Planning Area to expand as needed following consultation and feasibility studies.

Planning Area 8 - Wards:  Orpington, Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom

No current changes to school organisation or size in this planning area

Planning Area 9 - Wards:  Biggin Hill and Darwin

No current changes to school organisation or size in this planning area

The strategic planning of primary school places and school organisation in the Borough is driven through the Primary Schools’ Development Plan.  The Primary Schools’ Development Plan Working Party met on 2^nd September 2013 to consider the strategic planning of primary school places and school organisation in the Borough for forthcoming academic years.

The total number of places originally available for 2013/14 was 3733.  This was subsequently increased to 3823 places to ensure that every on-time applicant received a valid offer, and 3820 on-time applicants were made an offer in April 2013, of which 76% secured their first choice of school and 89% secured one of their first three choices of school which represented a slight fall on the previous year, reflecting the increasing pressure on places. 

Increased demand for primary places was expected to continue in the long term, with the Greater London Authority forecast projecting a rise of total numbers to 4041 which would be sustained to at least 2030.  This was due to a higher level of birth rate than expected, as well as through migration to the Borough and increased occupancy levels of existing homes.  The Working Party concluded that there was likely to be a need for additional forms of entry across the Borough and, taking account of projections for each area and other local circumstances, recommended that the additional capacity required was achieved by both temporary and permanent increases in admissions at a number of schools.  The Working Group also noted that new academies or free schools could be established if sufficient demand could be evidenced, and that three new free schools were due to open within the Borough in 2014/15 which would make additional reception class places available.