PART A
Cabinet
23 March 2006
Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Update on Progress and Summary of Strategic Business Case (SBC)
Report of Keith Mitchell, Director of Education
Purpose of the Report
1 To update Cabinet with progress to date in relation to BSF for secondary age pupils and outline current work being undertaken on the preparation of the SBC.
Background
2 In 2004, DfES announced that Durham County Council had been successful with its bid to apply for funding as part of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future initiative, to rebuild/remodel all secondary schools across the County.
3 Durham has 36 secondary schools and 8 special schools with secondary age pupils and these schools have been divided into four phases across the County (Annex 1). The DfES programme for BSF over the next 10 – 15 years has placed Durham’s Phase 1 schools in Wave 3, Phase 2 in Wave 4-6, Phase 3 in Wave 7-9 and Phase 4 in Wave 10-12.
Current Position
4 The first stage of the BSF process is a requirement to present the County Council’s vision on the transformation of Secondary Education. County-wide consultation was undertaken on the vision from July to October 2005 and that vision is due to be approved by DfES at the end of March.
5 The second stage of the BSF process is to compile the County Council’s Strategic Business Case which presents our strategic thinking for the pattern and provision of secondary school places over the next 10-15 years. It should be noted that the pattern and provision of special schools has been the subject of a four phase review which was completed in 2005.
6 The key factor that funding allocations are based on is projected pupil rolls for the year 2015. For special schools, pupil numbers are decided according to “planned places” based on the identification of the numbers of pupils with Statements of SEN. The amount of funding available is calculated by applying a formula taking account of pupil rolls and the number of schools. In 2004 there were a total number of 33,005 pupils across 36 secondary schools. In 2015 there are expected to be 27,498 (a drop of 5,507). A key aspect of planning the pattern and provision of school places is to ensure that surplus places are removed to make education provision cost effective and showing value for money. Durham has already implemented a strategy to remove surplus places in Primary Schools and a significant number have been removed through rationalisation of the Primary School estate. Consideration must therefore be given to investigate opportunities to remove surplus places in Secondary Schools through the BSF programme. - 1 -
7 The County Durham vision for education states that the preferred size of an individual school unit is between 750 – 1250 pupils. This of course is a ‘broad’ indicator of size, as a number of factors need to be taken into consideration such as, the rural nature of the school, in terms of geographical location and the proximity to other schools, existing federation arrangements that provide education across two school sites (sometimes with numbers less than 750).
8 Currently, Durham County Council has been given an indication of funding that may be available for Phase 1 Schools (Wave 3 of BSF) only at this stage, therefore the focus for the planning of school places is being done for this phase at the present time.
9 The SBC is written in two parts - Education and Estates. The Education section includes the vision for the transformation of Secondary Education and an executive summary which outlines the educational outcomes expected after BSF investment. The Estates strategy presents information on the condition of school buildings and how BSF investment can be used to renew/remodel school buildings to enable the education vision to be realised.
Phase 1 - East Durham Schools
10 Currently there are 7 secondary schools (including one Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided School) and one special school in this first phase of BSF. A table indicating projected rolls at 2003 when the bid was submitted and the latest projected rolls for 2015 is attached as Annex 2.
11 It is expected that there will be 1,149 less pupils in total across this group of schools in 2015. Due to the significant fall in pupil rolls expected in 2015 the County Council needs to consider carefully opportunities for rationalisation to remove surplus places and to ensure that the pattern and provision of school places meets the needs of communities, ensuring fair access, choice and diversity.
12 BSF funding is also based on each Authority showing that they can achieve 50% new build, 35% remodelling and 15% refurbishment across a group of schools using Asset Management Plan (AMP) information which identifies the condition of school buildings.
13 Work has already begun to look at options that could be considered for Phase 1 schools. These are attached as Annex 3.
14 Members of the Easington Member Area Panel (MAP) have met on three occasions with officers where these options have been discussed. At the last meeting members made it clear that they would support the option which maintained the same number of schools - Option 1.
Recommendation
15 Cabinet is asked to agree that Option 2 be presented in the Strategic Business Case as the preferred option to maximise opportunities for new build and ensure value for money.
Contact: Sheila Palmerley Ext: 3281 SP/PP/SMc/MARCH1 - 2 -
Appendix 1: Implications
Finance
Funding from BSF Allocation.
Staffing
N/A
Equality and Diversity
N/A
Accommodation
Report sets out proposals for improved accommodation in schools through BSF investment.
Crime and Disorder
N/A
Sustainability
Buildings will be rebuilt/remodelled with input from Design & Sustainability team members.
Human Rights
N/A
Localities
Report focuses on East Durham.
Young People
BSF investment presents significant opportunities for young people to learn in improved environments.
Consultation
All stakeholders will be part of consultation process.
Health
N/A
Annex 1 BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF)
SECONDARY SCHOOL PHASES
Phase 1 – East Durham and Sedgefield Village
Dene Community School of Technology Easington Community School Seaham School of Technology Sedgefield Community College Shotton Hall School Wellfield Community School – Specialist Maths and Computing College St. Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School Byron College (Post 16 Facility) Glendene School and Community Arts College (Special)
Phase 2 – South Durham
Tudhoe Grange School Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College Spennymoor Comprehensive The Meadows (Special) The Pupil Referral Unit (Special) The Oaks School (Special) Greenfield School Community and Arts College Woodham Community Technology College Bishop Barrington School King James I Community Arts College Sunnydale School St. John’s RCVA Comprehensive Windlestone Hall (Special)
Phase 3 – West Durham
Blackfyne Community School Moorside Community Technology College Villa Real School (Special) Stanley School of Technology Tanfield School, Specialist College of Science and Engineering Hare Law School (Special) Greencroft School St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester Parkside Comprehensive Teesdale School Wolsingham School and Community College Staindrop School a Business and Enterprise College
Phase 4 – North Durham
Belmont School Community Arts College Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre Durham Community Business College for Technology and Enterprise serving the Deerness Valley Fyndoune Community College Durham Johnston School Framwellgate School Durham Hermitage School Park View Community School- St. Leonard’s RCVA Comprehensive Durham Trinity School (Special) Elemore Hall School (Special) Roseberry Sports and Community College
Annex 2
EAST DURHAM SCHOOLS
School Projected roll to Projected roll to Difference 2010 as identified 2015 as identified in 2003 in 2005
Easington Community 880 708 172 (20%) School
Shotton Hall School 932 766 166 (18%)
Seaham School of 1085 882 203 (19%) Technology
Dene Community School of 667 565 102 (15%) Technology
Wellfield Community School and Specialist Maths and 1133 907 226 (20%) Computing College
Sedgefield Community 913 746 167 (18%) College
St. Bede’s (including 6th 1136 1023 113 (10%) Form)
Glendene School and Predicted number of places 75 (11-16) 20 (16+) Community Arts College
Pupil number estimates: January 2006
Based on 2001 Census Data Live birth data 2004/05 GP survey data
Annex 3
Option 1 New Remodel Refurbish Cost (Dec. '05) Build
Seaham School of Technology 100 0 0 15,934,238
Easington Community School 50 35 15 10,984,041
Dene Community School of Technology 53 47 0 10,949,692
St. Bedes Catholic Comprehensive 45 55 0 15,780,061
Shotton Hall School 30 70 0 12,020,779
Wellfield School 0 85 15 10,009,200
Sedgefield Community College 30 70 0 10,594,133
Glen Dene Special School 5 0 55 979,419
87,251,563
Option 2 - preferred option New Remodel Refurbish Cost (Dec. '05) Build
Seaham School of Technology 100 0 0 15,934,238
Easington Community School 50 35 15 10,984,041
St. Bedes Catholic Comprehensive 45 55 10 15,780,061
New School, Peterlee 100 0 0 25,109,297
Wellfield School 0 85 15 10,009,200
Sedgefield Community College 30 70 0 10,594,133
Glen Dene Special School 5 0 55 979,419
89,390,389
The figures above are approximate costs at this stage as detailed surveys of premises have not been carried out and further work has to be done taking account of decant costs, abnormal costs, site acquisitions and possible land disposals associated with the programme of work.