Agenda item

Report ED12058

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing details of the outcomes and recommendations of the Primary School Development Plan Working Party, which had met on 9^th August 2012 to consider the strategic planning of primary school places and school organisation in the Borough.

The Head of Access and Admission highlighted that the number of reception pupils in Bromley schools had risen from 3165 in January 2007 to 3706 in January 2012.  The number of reception pupils was projected to remain at between 3790 and 4070 until at least 2020 which would continue to place pressure on the number of Reception class places and would have an impact on Secondary class places in due course. 

In considering the report, a Co-opted Member underlined the need to ensure that schools were not adversely impacted where bulge years were introduced at a neighbouring school.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that key drivers for the introduction of a bulge year included the impact on neighbouring schools as well as the number of school places needed in the local area.

Councillor Brian Humphrys was concerned at the recommendation to formally consult on extending the age range of Bromley Road Infant School, to become a 1 Form of Entry (FE) Primary School and Worsley Bridge Junior school to become a 2 FE Primary School with the potential to expand to 3 FE.  He noted that the introduction of a 1 FE Primary School would reduce the number of school places available to infant pupils in the area of Bromley Road Infant School, and that it could be difficult to recruit Head Teachers for 1 FE Primary Schools which leads to issues with sustaining standards.  He was also concerned any additional places created by expansion of Worsley Bridge Junior School would largely benefit out-of-Borough pupils.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that discussions had been held with the London Borough of Lewisham around the implications of any expansion of Worsley Bridge Junior School but that there was significant housing development in the Copers Cope Ward which would increase the demand for school places in the area by Bromley residents.

Councillor Brian Humphrys also highlighted the potential introduction of a primary school as part of the Harris Beckenham school offer and noted the importance of working with Harris Beckenham to ensure that this would not impact the number of secondary places provided.  The Head of School Access and Admissions confirmed that representations had been made to Harris Beckenham around the increased demand for secondary places from 2016/17 to encourage the school in considering expansion to 8 FE.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the recommendations of the Primary School Development Plan Working Party, taking into account the views of the Education PDS Committee, and authorise the Director of Education and Care Services to undertake consultation with schools and other key agencies on the proposed temporary and permanent expansion of places and to implement the proposals where feasible as set out below.

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

·  Malcolm Primary School to increase its intake to 2 FE for a further year. 

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity initially on a temporary basis to 2FE (from 1.5 FE) at St John’s C.E. Primary School for reception in 2013/14. 

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a permanent basis to 2 FE (from 1.5 FE) at St John’s C.E. Primary School.

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

·  To review, with Governors the feasibility of Clare House Primary School to permanently increase its intake to 2 FE. 

·  To formally consult on extending the age range of Bromley Road Infant School to become a 1 FE Primary School and Worsley Bridge Junior School to become a 2 FE Primary School with the potential to expand to 3 FE.

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

·  Hawes Down Infant School to increase its intake to 3 FE for a further year. 

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at St Mark’s C.E. School if future demand was sufficient.

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

·  Scotts Park Primary School to increase its intake to 3 FE for a further year.

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at Bickley Primary School for reception in 2013/14.

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

·  Keston C.E. Primary School to permanently increase its intake to 60.

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at Southborough Primary School for reception in 2013/14.

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

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at Edgebury Primary School for reception in 2013/14. 

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at Castlecombe Primary School for reception in 2013/14. 

·  To continue to pursue discussions with the Governors and Diocese  regarding Chislehurst C.E. School increasing its PAN by 1 FE, in light of any potential relocation.

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

·  Midfield Primary School to permanently increase its intake to 60.

·  To review, with Governors, the feasibility of increasing capacity on a temporary basis by 1 FE at Leesons Primary School for reception in 2013/14.

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.