Agenda item

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th June 2019 were approved, and signed as a correct record.

Matters Arising:

Place Planning/Falling Rolls Fund:

The Head of Strategic Place Planning reported that the overall position in Bromley with regards school rolls was pupil numbers were increasing and forecasts demonstrated that school population would continue to increase until 2026.  It was projected that school places would increase from approximately 49,000 places in 2017 to 54,000 in 2026, before falling back to 53,441 in 2032.  More applicants were getting a school of their choice with Bromley out-performing all its London neighbours in terms of applicants being offered 1 of their top 3 secondary preferences.  Over 6,500 school places had been added through school expansion and Free Schools.  Bromley remained a  net importer of pupils.  The focus of the Local Authority (LA) was now moving from mainstream education to SEN places.

In terms of Primary need, growth had stalled with future projections indicated a need for between 3,800 and 4,000 Year R places each year.  This was slightly below the peak of 4,050 but significantly above  3,400 in 2010.  The LA planned for 5% surplus for contingency and choice, although the current surplus was marginally above this at 7%.  The National Audit Office recommend a 0 to 10% surplus.  The surplus tended to be concentrated in a small number of schools and there was a particular issue in Biggin Hill where there was a need to provide 5 FE of reception places in Biggin Hill to comply with class size legislation.  Demographic issues had a significant influence over demand.  Whilst the birth rate remained quite high with over 4,000 live births each year, it had been reported that the Office for National Statistics had over projected the fertility of women.  Migration had reduced, although there was still net migration into the Borough. Demographic issues impacted in different Planning Areas in different ways.  In North West Bromley rolls fell during primary age, whereas in West Wickham and Shortlands numbers rose.  Growth was still a factor in some areas, such as West Wickham and Central Bromley.

The Head of Strategic Place Planning reported that there were no further plans to expand primary schools once the Stewart Fleming expansion had been completed.  However there were some options for bulge classes should they be required and the Head of Strategic Place Planning stressed that it was also important not to take capacity out of the system at the moment.  The position had to be carefully monitored.  The LA had no control over the Admissions Policies of Academies and therefore capacity issues had to be influenced through discussions with individual academies and trusts.  In response to a question, the Head of Strategic Place Planning reported that there was churn in the system with a high number of in-year admissions, this impacted different areas.

The Head of Schools’ Finance Support Team reported that five schools had met the criteria for the Falling Rolls Fund and these schools had been asked  to provide evidence of their funding issues.  Payments totalling £55-60k (averaging £8k per school) would be made to those schools in October.

Noting that it was unlikely that schools with falling rolls would fill, a Member of the Schools Forum suggested that it made more economic sense to close small schools and move children to larger schools.  In response, the Head of Strategic Place Planning reported that there was no long term reason why the 5 schools currently receiving falling rolls funding would be in the same position next year.  It could be a different five schools depending on parental choice and other external factors.  It was also noted that smaller schools tended to be located in the more rural communities, and the loss of the local school could have a significant impact on local communities.

In response to a question, the Head of Schools’ Finance Support Team confirmed that falling rolls funding was not ring-fenced so there was no requirement for schools to evidence the impact of the funding.

In terms of Secondary need, this was an area of growth following a dip earlier in decade.  The January 2019 (spring) school census identified that there were 3,848 pupils in Year 7 in Bromley schools compared with 3,323 in 2014.  An additional 480 places had been added through expansions and Free Schools, and a further two Free Schools were planned.  The peak of growth remained uncertain with the projections putting this at between 4,100 and 4,200.  Need was concentrated in the Centre and West of Borough and there was still some surplus in the East.  Last year there had been some issues with admissions in north west Bromley, and parents has raised concerns about admissions policies.  Whilst Bromley remained a net importer at secondary age, the level of the net flow had fallen.  The number of pupils from other boroughs at Bromley schools had remained static although an increasing number of Bromley residents were being educated in another borough.

Noting that there were significant issues in the East of the Borough, a Member of the Schools Forum questioned how new schools could be justified when many existing schools had places available.  The Head of Strategic Place Planning explained that geographical issues which impacted on travel distances was a factor.  The performance of schools in other boroughs had also impacted on cross-borough movements.  Members of the Forum highlighted that there was significant migration to Kent schools which had not been as prevalent in the past.  The Head of Strategic Place Planning concluded by highlighting that in terms of secondary it was a complex picture and there was an aspiration that local children attended popular local schools.

Turning to SEN, both locally and nationally SEN was now the key place planning focus.  The percentage of children with an EHCP in Bromley was higher than the national average and the increase in the number of EHCPs was out running the rate of demographic growth which placed pressure on both the school system and school finance.  An additional 225 SEN places had been built in but there remained a need to shift funding from expensive independent provision to more cost effective local provision.  In Bromley there had been a move towards a more inclusive model based on supporting children locally and keeping funding in the local system.  However, unlike mainstream Bromley remained a net exporter although efforts were being made to address this with the application for a new Free School as a centre of ASD excellence and work at Marjorie McClure. 

The Chairman thanked the Head of Strategic Place Planning for his update.