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Forward Plan reference number: FP/658/11/16 Report title: Expansion of Roding Valley High School, Loughton Report to: Cabinet Report author: Councillor Ray Gooding – Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning Date: 21 March 2017 For: Decision Enquiries to : Clare Kershaw – Director for Commissioning: Education and Lifelong Learning email [email protected] County Divisions affected : Chigwall and Loughton Broadway Confidential Appendix This report includes a confidential appendix which is exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. 1. Purpose of report 1.1. To report on the growing demand for additional secondary school places in the Loughton/ Chigwell area and to seek approval to expand Roding Valley High School (RVHS) by 1 form of entry (150 pupils) from an 8 form entry school (1,200 pupils) to 9 forms of entry (1,350 pupils), including establishing new Post-16 provision with a further 150 pupil places (75 per year group) for September 2018. 2. Recommendations 2.1. Agree that Roding Valley High School should expand to serve the demand for higher secondary school places in the Loughton area from September 2018. 2.2. Delegate authority to the Head of Infrastructure Delivery to enter into a Funding Agreement to enable RVHS to undertake and self-mange the procurement of a construction partner to enlarge the school’s premises on terms which allow the release of funding only once he is satisfied that: a. the total project costs are within the budget; b. RVHS have demonstrated their capability to deliver the scheme to ECC/EFA standards; c. The construction costs proposed by the school’s contractor are in overall compliance with ECC benchmarking rates and within the approved budget; and d. The construction costs are within the agreed budget and represent value for money. 2.3. Approve the capital budget for construction and associated project fees, as per the profile stated in the confidential financial appendix. 3. Summary of Issue 3.1. There is predicted to be a significant growing deficit of secondary school places in Loughton in the next 10 years with a shortfall of 74 Year 7 places in 18/19 growing up to 87 Year 7 places by 2021/22, as identified in the latest ECC School Places 10 year plan. Forecast demand then fluctuates, but indicates a permanent need for an additional 3 forms of entry (90 Year 7 places) in the area from September 2018. 3.2. To be able to meet this demand from 2018 onwards, it is proposed to expand RVHS by 30 Year 7 places, and also expand another School in the Chigwell area, by 60 Year 7 places from 2018 to mitigate the forecast deficit of places. 3.3. These two expansions will cater for the forecast increase in demand over the coming five years, with further growth being managed through adjustment in admissions criteria and/ or admissions patterns (a high proportion of students admitted to the schools are from the London Borough of Redbridge and could be “pushed back”, thereby lowering demand in Essex Secondary schools. 3.4. The latest (summer 2016) Year 7 place forecast for the Chigwell/ Loughton area shows: Epping Secondary Group 1 0 -4 -7 -15 -20 -26 -40 -44 -49 -60 Forecast without Housing Forecast including housing -70 -75 -74 -80 -80 -79 -85 -90 -87 -87 -90 -90 Forecast Year 7PlaceSurplus/Deficit Year Forecast -100 -100 -99 -101 -120 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 School Year 3.5. These forecast data show a permanent demand for increased secondary school places in Chigwell/ Loughton from September 2017 onwards. 3.6. The forecast deficit of places for 2017 will be accommodated through existing schools in the Chigwell/ Loughton area. 3.7. ECC proposal to expand RVHS is intended to ensure that local children have the opportunity to access a local school. 3.8. It is anticipated that RVHS will grow on a phased basis, of 30 pupils per year, as it admits additional Year 7 cohorts year-on-year, although further classes could be opened to accommodate pupils in higher year groups, should capacity be under pressure in this local area. This position will be assessed nearer the time, and agreed with RVHS. 3.9. In considering the proposal to expand RVHS, the impact on other local schools has been considered. It is not expected to have any detrimental impact upon other local schools, as it responds to increased demand within the Chigwell/ Loughton area. Phased growth should ensure no disproportionate impact upon any other school in the Chigwell/ Loughton area. Consultation 3.10. A consultation on expansion was not required as the increase in pupil numbers falls below the 25% threshold within the statutory guidance. Proposed Building Works 3.11. The proposed works at RVHS include the provision of standalone teaching block with an all-weather pitch and associated external hard and soft landscaping. 3.12. Delivery Timescales are as follows: Milestone Date Planning to be submitted July 2017 Construction starts October 2017 Completion and Handover to the school Phase 1 September 2018 Completion and Handover to the school Phase 2 December 2018 3.13 RVHS will be undertaking the procurement of a construction partner to deliver the proposed expansion, and will be self-managing the process throughout. However, ECC will not release the funding until it is satisfied that a. the total project costs are within the endorsed amount b. RVHS have demonstrated their capability to deliver the scheme to ECC/EFA standards; c. The construction costs proposed by the school’s contractor are in overall compliance with ECC benchmarking rates and within the approved budget; and d. The construction costs are within the agreed budget and represent value for money 3.14 RVHS will be required to enter into a funding agreement with ECC, which will include the above provisions, in order to ensure assurance around the funding being provided and its purpose. 3.15 RVHS will be supported by ECC throughout the procurement process, who will offer advice and support should they require, 3.13. A Vision for Essex 2013-2017 reaffirms ECC’s commitment to: 3.13.1. Increase educational achievement and enhance skills as a priority. 3.13.2. Develop and maintain the infrastructure that enables our residents to travel and our businesses to grow – through developing childcare provision that supports parents to work and train, 3.13.3. Support employment and entrepreneurship across our economy – through providing opportunities for private, voluntary, independent and maintained sector childcare provision to expand 3.14. This proposal also supports Corporate Outcome One: Children in Essex get the best start in life in the following indicators: (a) Percentage of children ready for school, (b) Percentage of children achieving a good level of development by the age of 5, as measured by Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) results, (c) Having sufficient childcare places underpins the early years’ quality improvement and workforce development activities outlined in the Commissioning Strategy 2014-18 for Children in Essex get the best start in life. 3.15. A Vision for Essex 2013-2017 reaffirms ECC’s commitment to increase educational achievement and enhance skills as a priority. ECC proactively works with schools, academies and sponsors to increase provision through the development of good school organisation solutions in accordance with its place planning strategy, which improve the quality of the schools system, increase diversity and deliver good and outstanding outcomes for the children of Essex. The establishment of a free school will do this by increasing provision and diversity within the school system in an area where there is pressure on school places and will help Essex residents achieve their full potential through learning at a high performing school establishment. 3.16. ECC has a statutory duty to secure sufficient school and Early Years childcare places within its area. This is encapsulated in the Commissioning School Places in Essex 2013-2018 document and the council’s Corporate Outcome 1: Children in Essex get the best start in life . The key role of the planning function is to maintain a balance between the supply and demand of good school places, with regard to future projections of pupil numbers, demographic trends and policy priorities. 4. Options 4.1. ECC have explored the possibility of expanding three secondary schools in the in the Loughton/ Chigwell area, which would provide for September 2018 intakes. 4.2. The outcome of the strategic analysis indicated that the expansion of the School is viable and represented good value for money to the Essex taxpayer and is therefore the recommended option 4.3. Other expansions in the area will be subject to separate reports in due course. 4.4 Should ECC fail to expand the School, there will continue to be significant pressure on secondary schools within the Chigwell/Loughton area, as the deficit cannot be met by one school alone. Accordingly this is not the recommended option. 5. Issues for consideration 5.1. Financial Implications Capital 5.1.1. Please see the confidential financial appendix for capital financial information. Revenue 5.1.2. School revenue budgets are funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and are based on pupil numbers in the October prior to the start of the financial year. For new academies, in the first year of operation the LA confirms a funding allocation based on estimated numbers across the year groups that will open in the first year of operation. The DfE allows basic need growth to be funded by the Essex Formula for Funding Schools and the difference between estimated pupils and the October Census is added to the Number on Roll which will generate additional funding in an academic year to ensure the school has sufficient resources to provide the required number of classes.