A Full Proposal Document – Proposed Change of Age Range – Post 16 (Foundation School)

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A full proposal document – Proposed Change of Age Range – Post 16 (Foundation School)

PROPOSALS FOR PRESCRIBED ALTERATIONS BY THE GOVERNING BODY (As outlined in Schools Organisation for maintained Schools: Guidance for proposers and decision makers (January 2014)):

Information to be included in or provided in relation to proposals

GB Proposal: School and local education authority details The name, address and category of the school and a contact address for the local education authority.

School contact: Mike Sinclair, Chair of Governors Northstowe Secondary College (LA Foundation School) Sterling Road Northstowe CB24 1DJ Tel: 07866 580239

Local Authority contact: Kathy Stansbie, Project Officer, 0-19 Places Planning Service, Education Directorate, Cambridgeshire County Council Box OCT1213, Shire Hall, Cambridge, CB3 0AP Tel: 01480 373764 Email: [email protected].

Implementation and any proposed stages for implementation 1. The date on which the proposals are planned to be implemented, and if they are to be implemented in stages, a description of what is planned for each stage, and the number of stages intended and the dates of each stage.

In accordance with Section 19 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Alteration of upper age range so as to add sixth form provision with effect from September 2024.

The intention is to admit sixth form students to Northstowe Secondary College from September 2024. The Trust will work with Cambridgeshire County Council and local P16 providers to ensure that this meets the needs of Northstowe and does not provide significant overcapacity in the area.

Objections and comments A statement explaining the procedure for making representations, including • the date by which objections or comments should be sent to the local education authority; and • the address of the authority to which objections or comments should be sent.

Statutory Notice published in the Cambridge Independent newspaper on 4th March 2020 with a four-week period for representations.

The deadline for representations is 24th April 2020

These will be sent to: Beth Henry and Sarah Giles Email: [email protected]

The decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposals will be taken by Assistant Director: Education Capital and Place Planning and/or The Children and Young People Committee as appropriate.

Alteration description 1. A description of the proposed alteration and in the case of special school proposals, a description of the current special needs provision.

In 2008 the Learning & Skills Council awarded Cambridge Meridian Educational Trust (CMET) a presumption to open the Post-16 (P16) provision at Northstowe. At the same time CMET was also awarded the presumption (by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC)) to open the 11-16 provision in Northstowe. The 11-16 provision opened in September 2019 as Northstowe Secondary College (NSC).

We propose, through this alteration, that the 11-16 and the P16 provisions formally operate as a single 11-19 school.

The vision of the original Northstowe bids by CMET was for the two schools (and a primary school) to collaborate to create an all through education campus. The design of the existing and future NSC has been created to facilitate the two provisions becoming a single school.

We further believe that this adjustment will deliver greater coherence of educational provision than if the sixth form provision is established as a separate entity and that economies of scale will benefit both these provisions.

School capacity 2.—(1)Where the alteration is an alteration falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 4, 8, and 12-14 of Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, the proposals must also include— (a) details of the current capacity of the school and where the proposals will alter the capacity of the school, the proposed capacity of the school after the alteration;

Northstowe Secondary College is a new and growing school. It currently has built capacity for a 4FE/600 place secondary school (with core provision for 12 FE/1800 place egg Science, Technology, Sport and Arts). It will grow in stages, first to 8FE/1200 place and finally 12FE with a 400 place P16 provision planned in the Section 106 developer contributions and CCC places planning projections.

(b) details of the current number of pupils admitted to the school in each relevant age group, and where this number is to change, the proposed number of pupils to be admitted in each relevant age group in the first school year in which the proposals will have been implemented;

Section 2(2) outlines current numbers and growth to date – 77 Students in Year 7 as of 30 January 2020. This has grown by 14 since places were first offered in March 2019 and projections are based on this trajectory. These are conservative as build out rates and occupations are likely to accelerate significantly during the next 5 years, however reliable projections do not current exist.

Projected Class Organisation 2024 School: September 2024 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A 27 27 26 27 25 15 B 27 27 26 27 25 15 C 27 27 26 27 25 15 D 27 27 26 27 25 15 E 27 27 26 27 25 15 F 27 27 26 27 25 13 G 27 27 26 12 H 27

Total Roll 216 189 182 162 150 100 0 PAN: 240 210 180 180 150 100 0

(c) where it is intended that proposals should be implemented in stages, the number of pupils to be admitted to the school in the first school year in which each stage will have been implemented;

N/A

(d) where the number of pupils in any relevant age group is lower than the indicated admission number for that relevant age group a statement to this effect and details of the indicated admission number in question.

N/A

(2) Where the alteration is an alteration falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 4, 8, and 12 to 14, of Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 a statement of the number of pupils at the school at the time of the publication of the proposals.

Currently there are 77 students in year 7 at Northstowe as of 30 January 2020. As a new and growing school the Governing Body has seen this number increase from first preferences to current date and would expect this growth to continue as the build out and occupation of homes in Northstowe continues. Based on these

Total First First Sept.

Pref. Choices Admission Starts Number -

March Total 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19/20 97 42 63 72 77 77 20/21 153 72 - - 100 80 180 21/22 - - - - 22/23 - - - - 23/24 - - - - 24/25 - - - - 25/26 - - - -

Implementation 3.Where the proposals relate to a foundation or voluntary controlled school a statement as to whether the proposals are to be implemented by the local education authority or by the governing body, and, if the proposals are to be implemented by both, a statement as to the extent to which they are to be implemented by each body.

The proposals will initially be implemented by the Governing Body of school in liaison with CMET. However, as NSC is due to transfer to academy status within CMAT by September 2020 it is likely that the actual proposals to start educating P16 students will be enacted by CMAT in liaison with the Academy Council. CMAT has a strong and long track record of working closely with CCC on admissions and pupil place planning and would continue this to ensure that the P16 places are delivered effectively and efficiently with minimal disruption to other local P16 providers.

Additional Site 4.(1)A statement as to whether any new or additional site will be required if proposals are implemented and if so the location of the site if the school is to occupy a split site.

The P16 provision has been designed into the Northstowe Learning Community Education campus. The Section 106 funding from Northstowe and additional funding identified from CCC has been identified to expand the current buildings to provide the additional necessary capacity for 400 16-19 places.

(2) Where proposals relate to a foundation or voluntary school a statement as to who will provide any additional site required, together with details of the tenure (freehold or leasehold) on which the site of the school will be held, and if the site is to be held on a lease, details of the proposed lease.

The site is part of the existing Northstowe Learning Community campus and as such is part of the land arrangements in place for the Martin Bacon Academy (Special School due to open in April 2020 as part of CMAT) and NSC.

Changes in boarding arrangements 5.—(1)Where the proposals are for the introduction or removal of boarding provision, or the alteration of existing boarding provision such as is mentioned in paragraph 12, 13 of Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 — (a) the number of pupils for whom it is intended that boarding provision will be made if the proposals are approved;

N/A

(b) the arrangements for safeguarding the welfare of children at the school;

N/A

(d) except where the proposals are to introduce boarding provision, a description of the existing boarding provision.

N/A

(2) Where the proposals are for the removal of boarding provisions or an alteration to reduce boarding provision such as is mentioned in paragraph 12, 13 of Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 —

(a) the number of pupils for whom boarding provision will be removed if the proposals are approved;

N/A

(b) a statement as to the use to which the former boarding accommodation will be put if the proposals are approved.

N/A

Transfer to new site 6.Where the proposals are to transfer a school to a new site the following information refers to paragraph 14, 15 of Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools in) (England) Regulations 2013 — (a) the location of the proposed site (including details of whether the school is to occupy a single or split site), and including where appropriate the postal address;

N/A

(b) the distance between the proposed and current site;

N/A

(d) the accessibility of the proposed site or sites;

N/A

(e) the proposed arrangements for transport of pupils to the school on its new site;

N/A

(f) a statement about other sustainable transport alternatives where pupils are not using transport provided, and how car use in area will be discouraged.

N/A

Objectives 7.The objectives of the proposals.

Extract from the original bid to promote the All Through provision at Northstowe:

“Swavesey Village College (CMET) has questioned the rationale for there being a separation of the 11 – 16 and P16 centres on co-located sites in Northstowe and we believe that there are significant educational and organisational benefits to them being one single establishment.

These decisions are underpinned by a commitment : ▪ All through philosophy 0 –19 and then through adult learning ▪ Establish viable academic and vocational P16 provision in Northstowe at the earliest possible time to avoid an exodus at P16 ▪ Build upon and complement existing educational provision with the Cambridge Area Partnership. ▪ Deliver the widest range of courses at 14-19 to ensure that every student has curriculum and training pathway to suit their personal interests and needs.

Key national agenda of seamless 14 – 19 curriculum developments – ▪ Maximise institutions capacity to deliver broad and sustainable curriculum ▪ Capacity across the 11 – 19 organisation to deliver academic and vocational curriculum across 14 – 19 curriculum. ▪ Single employer of staff across the institution to deliver single curriculum planning and breadth of teaching expertise; ▪ Ensure coordinated progression 14 – 19, rather than separately ▪ Maximise investment in facilities to deliver academic and vocational provision 14 – 19.

Recognised benefits of single organisation ▪ Single strategic leadership and accountability ▪ Organisational economies of scale ▪ Standards and achievement across the town ▪ Partnership working with other partners in education and business ▪ Delivering broader range of courses and greater diversity ▪ Maximise flexible use facilities ▪ Increase capacity and diversity in adult education provision

Transition provision ▪ Capacity to provide P16 provision in Northstowe at the earliest possible time – both staffing and facilities. ▪ Potential for dual-use of facilities and satellite arrangements during transition period, drawing upon expertise in CMET and partner P16 centres.

Consultation (Pre) 8.Evidence of the consultation before the proposals were published including— (a) a list of persons who were consulted; (b) minutes of all public consultation meetings; (c) the views of the persons consulted; (d) a statement to the effect that all applicable statutory requirements in relation to the proposals to consult were complied with; and (e) copies of all consultation documents and a statement on how these documents were made available.

a) Cambridge Area Partnership (including all P16 providers), Longstanton and Northstowe Parish Council, Northstowe Secondary College parent body,

Northstowe Community Forum, Surrounding Communities, Cambridgeshire Secondary Heads. Cambridgeshire County Council.

b) Minutes are available upon request from the school or trust by contacting Beth Henry at [email protected]

c) All stakeholders have been aware of the new sixth form provision at Northstowe and have been supportive of this opening, the change of age range of the secondary school to 11-19 is not a significant change from CMET promoting the P16 provision which was awarded in 2008.

d) All statutory requirements in relation to the proposals to consult have been complied with and will be complied with through the process, a 4 week term time window for consultation has been identified and the statutory notice will be published in the local press. We have also undertaken pre-consultation with the Governing Body of Northstowe Secondary College, Cambridgeshire

Secondary Heads and individually with the leaders of Hills Road and Long Road Sixth form colleges.

e) We would be happy to provide evidence in the minutes of the CSH meeting at which we presented, minutes from the Local Governing Body meeting and diary confirmation of the informal pre-consultation meetings with Yolanda Botham and Jo Trump (leaders of Long Road and Hills Road sixth form colleges).

Project costs 9. A statement of the estimated total capital cost of the proposals and the breakdown of the costs that are to be met by the governing body, the local education authority, and any other party.

Not applicable

10.A copy of confirmation from the Secretary of State, local education authority and the Learning and Skills Council for England (as the case may be) that funds will be made available (including costs to cover any necessary site purchase).

Not applicable.

Age range 11.Where the proposals relate to a change in age range, the current age range for the school.

11-16

Early years provision 12.Where the proposals are to alter the lower age limit of a mainstream school by three years or more, except where the alterations are temporary as mentioned in paragraph 2, 3 of Schedule 2 in The School Organisation ( Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 — (a) details of the early years provision, including the number of full-time and part-time pupils, the number and length of sessions in each week, and the services for disabled children that will be offered;

N/A

(b) how the school will integrate the early years provision with childcare services and how the proposals are consistent with the integration of early years provision for childcare;

N/A

(d) assessment of capacity, quality and sustainability of provision in schools and in establishments other than schools who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage within 3 miles of the school;

N/A

(e) reasons why such schools and establishments who have spare capacity cannot make provision for any forecast increase in the number of such provision.

N/A

Changes to sixth form provision 13. (1) Where the proposals are to alter the upper age limit of the school as described in paragraph 2,4 of Schedule 2 in The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013; so that the school provides sixth form education or additional sixth form education, a statement of how the proposals will— (a) improve the educational or training achievements; (b) increase participation in education or training; and (c) expand the range of educational or training opportunities for 16-19 year olds in the area.

Quality – Currently Northstowe is a growing new school and as a result does not have a current OFSTED grade, however the school would work closely with its local partner CMAT schools including:

Swavesey Village College – OFSTED Outstanding and P8 0.58 Sawtry Village Academy – OFSTED Good with Outstanding Sixth Form and P8 0.41 Ely College – OFSTED Good with Outstanding Leadership and Management and P8 -0.09 North Cambridge Academy – OFSTED Good with Outstanding Leadership and Management and P8 0.27

Size – the intention is that the Sixth form places will open when at a retention rate of 75% there will be 100 Y12 students from Northstowe Secondary College Y11. This is currently projected to be 2024

Demand - The demand for the P16 provision at NSC is from the town of Northstowe itself. There is also clear evidence in our response to question 21a of a need for places by 2025 in the local area

Subject Breadth – The intention would be for NSC to work in partnership both with local CMAT Sixth forms (Ely and Sawtry) but also with Long Road Sixth Form College and Hills Road Sixth Form College, with whom there is a a long history of collaboration to ensure that a minimum of 15 A-Levels can be delivered.

Financial viability: NSC is projecting a reserve of £228,000 by 2024, this will be delivered with effective curriculum planning and staffing as well as to tight financial controls. If, as projected, the school joins CMAT, they will benefit from the wider support of the Trust. Detailed P16 financial planning, with a target class size of at least 15, is in place in all Trust sixth forms – many of which have had to recover from low numbers due to previous mismanagement.

(1) Where the proposals are to alter the upper age limit of the school so that the school will provide sixth form education, the proposed number of sixth form places to be provided.

Ultimately the P-16 provision at Northstowe will supply the planned 400 places for the community of Northstowe. Based on current projections by the end of Year 11 the Year 7 cohort will be 133 students. From experience of current CMAT P16 provision the school would aim for a 75% retention rate from Year 11 into Year 12 which would mean, upon opening in 2024, Sixth form provision would start with 100 places leading to 200 in 2025. (100 in each of Y12 and Y13).

14. Where the proposals are to alter the upper age limit of the school so that the school ceases to provide sixth form education, a statement of the effect on the supply of 16-19 places in the area.

N/A

Special educational needs 15. Where the proposals are to establish or change provision for special educational needs, as described in paragraph 5-8 of Schedule 2 in The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013— (a) a description of the proposed types of learning difficulties in respect of which education will be provided and, where provision for special educational needs already exists, the current type of provision;

N/A

(b) any additional specialist features will be provided;

N/A

(d) details of how the provision will be funded;

N/A

(e) a statement as to whether the education will be provided for children with special educational needs who are not registered pupils at the school to which the proposals relate;

N/A

(f) a statement as to whether the expenses of the provision will be met from the school’s delegated budget;

N/A

(g) the location of the provision if it is not to be established on the existing site of the school;

N/A

(h) where the provision will replace existing educational provision for children with special educational needs, a statement as to how the local education authority believes that the new provision is likely to lead to improvement in the standard, quality and range of the educational provision for such children;

N/A

(i) the number of places reserved for children with special educational needs, and where this number is to change, the proposed number of such places.

N/A

16. Where the proposals are to discontinue provision for special educational needs— (a) details of alternative provision for pupils for whom the provision is currently made;

N/A

(b) details of the number of pupils for whom provision is made that is recognised by the local education authority as reserved for children with special educational needs during each of the 4 school years preceding the current school year;

N/A

(c) details of provision made outside the area of the local education authority for pupils whose needs will not be able to be met in the area of the authority as a result of the discontinuance of the provision;

N/A

(d) a statement as to how the authority believe that the proposals are likely to lead to improvement in the standard, quality and range of the educational provision for such children. N/A

17.Where the proposals will lead to alternative provision for children with special educational needs, as a result of the establishment, alteration or discontinuance of existing provision, the specific educational benefits that will flow from the proposals in terms of— (a) improved access to education and associated services including the curriculum, wider school activities, facilities and equipment with reference to the local education authority’s Accessibility Strategy; (b) improved access to specialist staff, both educational and other professionals, including any external support and outreach services; (c) improved access to suitable accommodation; and (d) improved supply of suitable places.

N/A

Sex of pupils 18.Where the proposals are to make an alteration to provide that a school which was an establishment which admitted pupils of one sex only becomes an establishment which admits pupils of both sexes, as mentioned in paragraph 11 (1a) of Schedule 2 in The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013— (a) details of the likely effect which the alteration will have on the balance of the provision of single sex education in the area;

N/A

(b) evidence of local demand for single-sex education;

N/A

(c) details of any transitional period which the body making the proposals wishes specified in a transitional exemption order (within the meaning of section 27 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975).

N/A

19. Where the proposals are to make an alteration to a school to provide that a school which was an establishment which admitted pupils of both sexes becomes an establishment which admits pupils of one sex only, as mentioned in paragraph 11 (1b) of Schedule 2 in The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013— (a) details of the likely effect which the alteration will have on the balance of the provision of single-sex education in the area; N/A

(b) evidence of local demand for single-sex education.

N/A

Extended services 20.If the proposed alterations affect the provision of the school’s extended services, details of the current extended services the school is offering and details of any proposed change as a result of the alterations.

N/A

Need or demand for additional places 21.If the proposals involve adding places— (a) a statement and supporting evidence of the need or demand for the particular places in the area;

As stated in 13 (1) the intended growth of P16 provision will be in line with provision meeting the demand from Northstowe for places based on a 75% retention of Y11 cohorts. This will mean the provision grows from 100 per year group to 200 year group meeting the local demand from the town. Although the current CCC projections for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire do not indicate an excess of demand for places over capacity in the system until 2025 we will be keen to ensure that places are provided so that the first cohort of students who started at Northstowe Secondary College in 2019 can have the option of completing their compulsory education in the town. The projections below are also based on the additional 200 places at Northstowe being provided in 2023 so delaying by 1 year will ensure that there is clear demand for P16 provision by 2024 even if there is a slower build out or occupation rate in Northstowe than currently projected.

Source. ‘Cambridgeshire County Council, P16 Review, Consultation Document 2020’.

- Forecast: Takes into account the local demand for sixth form places and the additional (strong) demand for places provided in the area from young people resident elsewhere in Cambridgeshire. - Capacity: Shows current sixth form capacity and known planned expansion of provision. It should be noted that this line is subject to consultation; the purpose of the P16 Review is to assess if current capacity is sufficient to meet future demand and to consider additional provision if necessary. - Local demand: Forecast demand for sixth form places for young people resident in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. - Additional Out of County Demand: Provides an estimate of the additional demand for sixth form places from young people resident outside of Cambridgeshire.

(b) where the school has a religious character, a statement and supporting evidence of the demand in the area for education in accordance with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination;

N/A

(c) where the school adheres to a particular philosophy, evidence of the demand for education in accordance with the philosophy in question and any associated change to the admission arrangements for the school.

N/A

22. If the proposals involve removing places— (a) a statement and supporting evidence of the reasons for the removal, including an assessment of the impact on parental choice;

N/A

(b) a statement on the local capacity to accommodate displaced pupils. N/A