For: (x) Agenda Item Number: 9 Executive

Meeting Date: 11 July 2011 Report of: The Director of Children & Learning Report author: Deborah Craig, Admissions & Planning Manager

Subject: Statutory Proposals for the enlargement of Consultations: (x) Primary School and Bushmead Primary School Councillors Scrutiny Lead Executive Member(s): Cllr Khan Stakeholders Wards Affected: Barnfield and Leagrave Others

Recommendations 1. Executive is recommended to approve the statutory proposals to enlarge: (i) Bushmead Primary School, subject to the granting of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This condition must be met by 31 August 2011. (ii) Leagrave Primary School.

Background Bushmead Primary School 2. In September 2009 and September 2010 Bushmead Primary School admitted an additional 30 pupils into its Reception Year (Year R). Statutory proposals are made in respect of the enlargement of the School to ensure that it can continue to accommodate 120 pupils at the Year R intake point.

Leagrave Primary School 3. It is proposed to enlarge Leagrave Primary School to enable its admissions limit for the Reception Year to increase from 60 to 180 for September 2011. Thereafter, the School’s admissions number would reduce to 120 for future Reception Year intakes.

4. Statutory proposals are made in respect of the enlargement of the School to ensure that it can continue to accommodate additional pupils at the Year R intake point.

The current position 5. Demand for school places across the town is high and some children are unable to gain a place at a local school.

6. has a growing primary school population. The pupil projections indicate that the primary population will grow by 2870 pupils between September 2010 and 2014; this is a 15% growth in pupil numbers within four years. The pressure on school places is most intense at the Reception Year intake point. The number of pupils requiring a place in Year R is projected to grow by 482 pupils between September 2010 and 2014; this is a 16% growth within four years. If the Council does not create new primary school places there will be insufficient school places for Luton’s children.

Goals and Objectives 7. To enlarge Bushmead Primary School and Leagrave Primary School to ensure there is an adequate supply of school places for children resident in the town.

9/1 Proposal 8. Executive is recommended to approve the statutory proposals to enlarge: (a) Bushmead Primary School, subject to the granting of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This condition must be met by 31 August 2011. (b) Leagrave Primary School.

Key Risks 9. A decision to reject these proposals would reduce the number of school places available to Luton children. Such a decision would also jeopardise the Council’s ability to fulfil its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for its pupil population.

Consultations 10. Statutory consultations have taken place for both schools and statutory proposals were published on 22 May 2011. The representation period for the statutory proposals has now closed and there were no objections to the proposals.

Appendices and additional background papers attached: Appendix A – Statutory Proposal for Bushmead Primary School. Appendix B – Statutory Proposal for Leagrave Primary School. Appendix C – Relevant Statutory Guidance on School Enlargements.

IMPLICATIONS

Clearance – agreed by: Legal The Council is under a statutory duty to ensure David Watson, Legal that there are sufficient school places in its area, Services on 23 June 2011. promote high educational standards, ensure fair access to educational opportunity and promote the fulfilment of every child’s educational potential. They must also promote diversity and increase parental choice.

Statutory proposals are necessary when the increase requires an enlargement to the school premises which would increase the physical capacity of the school by more than 30 pupils and either by 25% or by 200 pupils (whichever is the lesser).

If no decision is made in respect of proposals within two months of the end of the representation period the Council must forward the proposals to the Schools Adjudicator for a decision.

Regulation 8 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools)() Regulations 2007 (as amended) provides that regard should be had to guidance issued by the Secretary of State when any decisions on proposals are made. The relevant statutory guidance is set out at Appendix C.

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Finance Bushmead - The project will cost approximately Steve Dickman, Acting £1m and will be funded from Luton Borough Finance Manager, Council’s allocation of Basic Need Capital Funding Children & Learning on 23 allocated by the Department for Education. June 2011.

Leagrave – The first phase of the project will cost approximately £500k which will be funded by ’s allocation of Basic Need Capital Funding allocated by the Department for Education. The Council is seeking Basic Need Capital Funding for the subsequent building phases.

The revenue funding for additional pupils will be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Equalities These proposals are key components to the Sandra Legate, Equality strategy for ensuring an adequate supply of and Diversity Policy school places for the town’s children. Access to Manager, 23 June 2011 education is key to equality of opportunity and improved life-chances for children, thus benefiting the whole community.

Environment The approach to new build in the primary school Strategy and Sustainability expansion strategy is to integrate sustainability Officer, 24 June 2011. principles throughout the design. New school buildings will include a range of ‘green’ features including: a. Low carbon design: b. Reducing pollution c. Reducing water consumption d. Use of sustainable materials

FOR EXECUTIVE ONLY - Options:

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