CITY COUNCIL Cabinet Report 9

Report of: Sonia Sharp ______

th Date: 8 December 2010 ______

Subject: Strategy for Expanding Primary School Places: Final Decision ______

Author of Report: Joel Hardwick Tel 0114 2735476 ______

Summary: The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of representations (objections or comments) received in response to the publication of statutory legal th notices on 17 September 2010. The report then seeks final approval for the proposals to expand the 11 schools listed in the report. ______

Reasons for Recommendations: Providing sufficient primary school places is essential to the City of Opportunity priority to raise attainment and aspirations, and is a statutory duty of the Council. This will mean that all Sheffield children reaching primary school age in 2011 and beyond will continue to have a school place in the area of the city in which they live.

Recommendations: i) Give final approval for the implementation of the proposals to expand 11 primary schools across 6 areas of the city.

Background Papers: th Cabinet Report: Strategy for Expanding Primary School Places - 12 May 2010 Cabinet Report: Strategy for Expanding Primary School Places: Consultation th Outcome - 8 September 2010

Category of Report: OPEN

- 1 - Statutory and Council Policy Checklist Financial Implications

YES Cleared by: Allan Rainford

Legal Implications

YES Cleared by: Nadine Wynter

Equality of Opportunity Implications YES Cleared by: Bashir Khan

Tackling Health Inequalities Implications

N/A

Human rights Implications

N/A

Environmental and Sustainability implications

N/A

Economic impact

N/A

Community safety implications

N/A

Human resources implications

N/A

Property implications

YES

Area(s) affected

Meersbrook: South; : South East; Netherthorpe: Central; South: South, South West; South West: South, South West, Central; Southey: North East Relevant Cabinet Portfolio Leader

Cllr Colin Ross Relevant Scrutiny Committee if decision called in

Children and Young People’s Is the item a matter which is reserved for approval by the City Council? NO Press release YES

- 2 - Strategy for Expanding Primary School Places: Final Decision

1. Summary

1.1 The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of the responses (objections or th comments) to the publication of statutory legal notices on 17 September 2010. Across the eight proposals requiring legal notices, two representations against the proposals were received. One representation related to the proposal to expand Westways Primary School and one related to Abbey Lane Primary School. A copy of the representations can be found in Appendix 3. The notices were published in the Sheffield Telegraph, at the entrances of all the schools included in the programme that required a legal notice (Abbeydale Primary, Abbey Lane Primary, Lowedges Primary, Lowfield Primary, Mosborough Primary, Mundella Primary, Primary and Westways Primary Schools), the Library and the Children’s Centre local to each school. In addition, the Notice and Prescribed Information was circulated to the individual Chair of Governors and the Headteachers of each school to make available to parents and anyone else requiring copies. The report also seeks final approval for the proposal to expand all 11 schools listed in the table below.

1.2 These expansions are vital if local children are going to be able to access a place at the primary school within their community.

1.3 The temporary expansions at both Greystones and Longley will be monitored and reviewed by 2011/12 to find a permanent solution, as required.

2. What this means for Sheffield people

2.1 Providing sufficient primary school places is essential to the City of Opportunity priority to raise attainment and aspirations and is a statutory duty of the Council.

2.2 This will mean that all Sheffield children reaching primary school age in 2011 and beyond will continue to have a school place in the area of the city in which they live. Access to a good local school is the driving principle behind the organisation of Sheffield’s schools. It encourages stronger communities through friendships between both children and parents and enables families to access support services based in their locality from the school or children’s centre.

2.3 Providing children with a primary school place within their own community and catchment area supports the council’s vision of healthy practice in schools by encouraging families to walk to and from school. Support will be provided to each school to develop their School Travel Plan further and promote measures and initiatives encouraging healthy and safe travel.

- 3 - 2.4 The programme is rooted within a school improvement framework working to raise attainment and aspiration and aims to:

• Provide parents with a choice of good schools of the right size and age range, and in the right place to meet community needs. • Develop plans for school organisation that support school improvement and raising standards in all the areas of need. • Engage with partners to exploit the opportunity to provide transformational learning projects.

2.5 Include effective parental and community engagement empowering people to participate in an open, honest and transparent process.

3. Outcome and Sustainability

3.1 The outcome of this report would be the implementation of plans developed to provide additional places at 11 primary schools in response to an increase in birth rates and related demand for primary school places in 6 areas of the city from 2011/12 academic year. The capital costs of the programme will be resourced from additional funding secured from government to create additional places.

4. Background

4.1 A report was presented to Cabinet in May 2010 setting out the key issues, options appraisal and strategy to respond to an increase in birth rates and subsequent further demand for primary school places in 6 areas of the city from September 2011. The report requested permission to consult with key stakeholders on those proposals.

4.2 Consultation took place in the Summer Term 2010 on the proposals to provide additional places at 11 primary schools.

th 4.3 The outcome of the consultation was reported on 8 September 2010 and permission was granted to pursue the following recommendations:

(a) In the light of information in the report now submitted and of the original report submitted to Cabinet on 12th May, 2010, requests that all necessary further steps schools across the City and that a further paper reporting on representations be submitted to Cabinet for final approval in December, 2010; and

(b) Authorises the preparation of detailed design plans for all eleven sites included in the proposal

4.4 The Education and Inspections Act 2006, abolished all School Organisation Committees with effect from 26 May 2007 and provided instead that proposals

- 4 - be decided by “the relevant authority” (i.e. the Local Authority which maintains or would maintain the school).

5. Current Position

5.1 The table below details the proposed 11 primary school expansions:

Area School Proposal Places Added Per Year School Total Netherthorpe Walkley Expand Walkley Primary 20 140 school from 40 places per year group to 60 places per year group. Westways Expand Westways Primary 30 210 School from 60 places per year group to 90 places per year group. Mundella Expand Mundella Primary 20 140 School from 40 places per year group to 60 places per year group. Carfield Expand Carfield Primary 15 105 School from 75 places per year group to 90 places per year group. South Abbey Lane Expand Abbey Lane 35 245 Primary School from 55 places per year group to 90 places per year group. Lowedges Expand Lowedges Primary 30 210 School from 30 places per year group to 60 places per year group. Southey Longley Temporarily Expand 30 90 Longley Primary School from 60 places per year group to 90 places per year group. Mosborough Mosborough Expand Mosborough 15 105 Primary School from 45 places per year group to 60 places per year group. South West Abbeydale Expand Abbeydale Primary 15 105 School from 45 places per year group to 60 places per year group. Greystones Temporarily Expand 30 90 Greystones Primary School from 60 places per year group to 90 places per year group for 3 years. Lowfield Expand Lowfield Primary 15 105 School from 45 places per year group to 60 places per year group. Total 255 1,545

- 5 -

th 5.2 A legal notice (Appendix 1) was published on 17 September 2010 listing the proposals to expand 8 primary schools from 2011/12 academic year. The 3 remaining primary schools included in the programme (Carfield Primary, Greystones Primary and Longley Primary) do not require the publication of a statutory notice under school organisation legislation. A request to the schools adjudicator for an in-year variation to the admission arrangements will be made (subject to Cabinet approval) in respect of these schools to confirm the change.

5.3 During the four-week period two representations against the proposals were received. A copy of the representations can be found in Appendix 3. The representation relating to Westways Primary School repeated issues that arose during consultation regarding the impact of the proposal on the school site and specifically the space available to Westways After School Club. The space being allocated to Westways After School Club in their new location does show an increased floor area compared to their current space. For this reason we do not expect the After School Club to have to reduce the number of children it caters for. The space being offered to the club is not within either the Nursery or Foundation Stage classrooms and pupils will not be expected to remain in the same classroom for the duration of the school and after school club day. The representation relating to Abbey Lane Primary School also repeated issues from the original consultation around the size of the site and traffic and transport issues. The representation also questioned the need for the expansion, stating that there is not a demand for additional places at the school. The need for an expansion in Abbey Lane Primary School’s catchment area can be clearly evidenced. Data from NHS Sheffield shows a clear increase in the number of children living in the Abbey Lane catchment area who will require a school place in the 2011/12 academic year. Any issues relating to traffic and transport will be considered by the Traffic and Transport group mentioned in paragraph 5.5. Work around the plans for each site has continued in partnership with the schools and where appropriate comments raised during consultation have now been addressed through amendments to the original design.

5.4 No comments or objections were received with regard to any of the other proposals.

5.5 In response to consultation with school staff, Governing Bodies and parents/carers three focus groups have been formed to consider the following areas:

 Transition – lead by officers from Inclusion and Learning Service this group will address issues relating to curriculum delivery which may be raised by a proposed expansion. The group will also look at staffing.  Design and Build – lead by officers from Capital Delivery this group will address any issues raised by schools or contractors during the design and build phase of the project.

- 6 -  Traffic and Transport – involving officers from Community Assemblies and Schools Travel Team this group will look at issues relating to travel to and from school at all schools where expansions are proposed.

5.6 These groups will include representation from officers with a specific expertise for the area of work. The number of groups will be specific to each theme, in some themes schools may be grouped in Community Assembly areas, some may require individual meetings for each school. Stakeholder representation will be agreed by each group. Further consultation meetings will take place, where appropriate, to assist the groups in developing such solutions.

6. Financial Implications

Revenue 6.1 Please see previous reports for the revenue implications.

Capital 6.2 Implications: The following table shows the latest costs to carry out the proposed expansions. The costs are based on the latest detailed plans and are subject to the Capital Approval process.

Area School Capital Costs Area Total £000 £000 Netherthorpe Walkley 820 1,906 Westways 1,086 Meersbrook Mundella 2,420 3,135 Carfield 715 South Abbey Lane 3,500 5,055 Lowedges 1,555 Southey Longley 500 500 Mosborough Mosborough 840 840 South West Abbeydale 310 1,335 Greystones 350 Lowfield 675 Total 12,771 On Costs 1,029 Total 13,800

7. Legal Implications

7.1 The power for the Local Authority to make decisions in relation to school expansions is contained in Schedule 5, Part 2, Regulation 30 of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools)() Regulations 2007 (SI:2007 No 1289).

8. Human Resources

- 7 -

8.1 Capital Delivery Project Managers will continue to work with Architects to procure contractors to carry out the construction phase.

8.2 Officers from Organisational Development and Finance will support individual schools to plan for changes to the staffing structure, including recruitment and staff development.

9. Equality of Opportunity

9.1 The overall aim of this programme is to ensure that access to quality primary school provision is available to all children of primary school age across Sheffield.

9.2 This project will support the council’s priority to enable a better life for children and young people by providing access to an education and help to raise attainment and aspirations.

10. Environmental and Sustainability Implications

10.1 Providing additional local school places will increase the number of families who are able to go to their local school. This will reduce the number of longer journeys and should therefore increase the number of pupils who are able to travel to school in a sustainable way.

11. Reasons for Recommendations

11.1 When deciding school organisation proposals, decision makers must have regard to the Secretary of State’s guidance. The following points are the key issues raised in the Decision Makers Guidance for Expanding a Maintained Mainstream School:

NEED FOR PLACES 4.28 The Decision Maker should consider whether Creating Additional there is a need for the expansion and should consider the Places evidence presented for the expansion such as planned (Paragraphs 4.28- housing development or demand for provision. The 4.30) Decision Maker should take into account not only the existence of spare capacity in neighbouring schools, but also the quality and popularity with parents of the schools in which spare capacity exists and evidence of parents’ aspirations for places in the school proposed for expansion. The existence of surplus capacity in neighbouring less popular or successful schools should not in itself prevent the addition of new places.

4.29 Where the school has a religious character, or follows a particular philosophy, the Decision Maker should be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of sufficient demand for places for the expanded school to be

- 8 - sustainable.

4.30 Where proposals will add to surplus capacity but there is a strong case for approval on parental preference and standards grounds, the presumption should be for approval. The LA in these cases will need to consider parallel action to remove the surplus capacity thereby created. FUNDING AND 4.57 The Decision Maker should be satisfied that any LAND land, premises or capital required to implement the Capital proposals will be available. Normally, this will be some (Paragraphs 4.57- form of written confirmation from the source of funding on 4.59) which the promoters rely (e.g. the LA, DCSF, or LSC). In the case of an LA, this should be from an authorised person within the LA, and provide detailed information on the funding, provision of land and premises etc.

4.58 Where proposers are relying on DCSF as a source of capital funding, there can be no assumption that the approval of proposals will trigger the release of capital funds from the Department, unless the Department has previously confirmed in writing that such resources will be available; nor can any allocation ‘in principle’ be increased. In such circumstances the proposals should be rejected, or consideration of them deferred until it is clear that the capital necessary to implement the proposals will be provided.

4.59 Proposals should not be approved conditionally upon funding being made available, subject to the following specific exceptions: For proposals being funded under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or through the BSF programme, the Decision Maker should be satisfied that funding has been agreed ‘in principle’, but the proposals should be approved conditionally on the entering into of the necessary agreements and the release of funding. A conditional approval will protect proposers so that they are not under a statutory duty to implement the proposals until the relevant contracts have been signed and/or funding is finally released.

12. Alternative Options Considered

th 12.1 Please see the report presented to Cabinet on 12 May 2010.

13. Recommendations

13.1 it is recommended that Cabinet:

- 9 - • Give final approval for the implementation and any proposed stages for implementation of the proposals to expand the 11 primary schools identified across Sheffield.

Sonia Sharp Executive Director CYPD November 2010

- 10 - APPENDIX 1 Shef field Community Primary Schools Expansion

Notice is given in accordance with section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that Sheffield City Council intends to make a prescribed alteration to eleven primary schools in Sheffield from 01 September 2011.

The schools will increase capacity to enable more children to access a place from 2011/12. Please see the table below for the school names and school categories.

The schools capacity will increase annually over a maximum of a seven year period.

School Current Proposed Current Current Proposed Number Net Net Number Indicated Indicated of Pupils Capacity Capacity of Pupils Admission Admission to be on Roll Number Number Admitted (NOR) (IAN) (IAN) in first Sept 10 year

Abbeydale 315 420 236 45 60 60 Primary Community School, Glen Road, Sheffield, S7 1RB

Abbey Lane 389 605 371 55 86 86 Primary Community School, Abbey Lane, Sheffield, S8 0BN

Lowedges 210 420 206 30 60 60 Primary Community School, Low Edges Road, Sheffield, S8 7JG

Lowfield Primary 315 414 178 45 59 59 Community School, , Sheffield, S2 4NJ

Mosborough 315 420 309 45 60 60 Primary Community School, New School Road, Sheffield, S20 5ES

Mundella Primary 280 420 256 40 60 60

- 11 - Community School, Mundella Place, Sheffield, S8 8SJ

Walkley Primary 280 420 203 40 60 60 Community School, Burnaby Crescent, Sheffield S6 2TS

Westways 426 636 363 60 90 90 Primary Community School, Western Road, Sheffield, S10 1LA

This Notice is an extract from the complete proposal. Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained from:

Post: Executive Director Children and Young People (Ref: Primary Expansions) Sheffield City Council, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, S1 2HH; [email protected]

Telephone: Tricia Slater – 0114 2735779

Email: [email protected]

Within four weeks from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by sending them to Executive Director Children and Young People (Ref: Primary Expansions) Sheffield City Council, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, S1 2HH .

Signed:

th Publication Date: Thursday 16 September 2010

Explanatory Notes: There are 11 expansions that make up the Population Growth and Primary Provision Programme. Although all 11 expansions are part of the same programme, each expansion is not linked to any other and can proceed independently. There are 3 schools within the programme (Carfield Community Primary, Greystones Community Primary and Longley Community Primary) that do not require the publication of a statutory notice.

- 12 - APPENDIX 2

PROPOSALS FOR PRESCRIBED ALTERATIONS OTHER THAN FOUNDATION PROPOSALS: Information to be included in a complete proposal

Extract of Part 1 of Schedule 3 and Part 1 of Schedule 5 to The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools)(England) Regulations 2007 (as amended):

In respect of an LEA Proposal : School and local education authority details 1. The name, address and category of the school .

Abbey Lane Primary Community School Abbey Lane Sheffield S8 0BN

Local Authority Contact:

Tricia Slater Children and Young People’s Service Sheffield City Council Town Hall Pinstone Street Sheffield S1 1HH

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.

The proposals will be implemented on 1 st September 2011. The Indicated Admission Number (IAN) will increase to 86 from 2011/12.

Objections and comments 2. A statement explaining the procedure for making representations, including — (a) the date prescribed in accordance with paragraph 29 of Schedule 3 (GB proposals)/Schedule 5 (LA proposals) of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended), by which objections or comments should be sent to the local education authority; and (b) the address of the authority to which objections or comments should be sent.

Within four weeks from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to or make comments on the proposal by sending them to:

- 13 - Executive Director Children and Young People (Ref: Abbey Lane Primary Expansion) Sheffield City Council Town Hall Pinstone Street Sheffield S1 2HH

Alteration description 3. A description of the proposed alteration and in the case of special school proposals, a description of the current special needs provision.

It is proposed to expand Abbey Lane Primary Community School and increase the Indicated Admission Number (IAN) from 55 pupils to 86 pupils from 2011/12.

School capacity 4. —(1) Where the alteration is an alteration falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 4, 8 , 9 and 12- 14 of Schedule 2 (GB proposals)/paragraphs 1-4, 7, 8, 18, 19 and 21 of Schedule 4 (LA proposals) to The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended), 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;

Current Net Capacity = 389 Future capacity = 605

(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;

Current Indicated Admission Number (IAN) = 55 Proposed Indicated Admission Number (IAN) = 86

First Year Indicated Admission Number (IAN) = 86

(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;

First Year = 86 pupils Second Year = 86 pupils Third Year = 86 pupils Fourth Year = 86 pupils Fifth Year = 86 pupils Sixth Year = 86 pupils Seventh Year = 86 pupils

(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.

- 14 -

Not Applicable

(2) Where the alteration is an alteration falling within any of paragraphs 1, 2, 9, 12 and 13 of Schedule 2 (GB proposals) /paragraphs 1, 2, 8, 18 ands 19 of Schedule 4 (LA proposals) to The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended), a statement of the number of pupils at the school at the time of the publication of the proposals.

Current Numbers On Roll (NOR) = 371

Implementation 5. 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.

Not Applicable

Additional Site 6. —(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.

Not Applicable

Changes in boarding arrangements 7. —(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 8 or 21 of Schedule 2 (GB proposals)/7 or 14 of Schedule 4 to The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended) —

Not Applicable

Transfer to new site 8. Where the proposals are to transfer a school to a new site the following information—

Not Applicable

Objectives 9. The objectives of the proposals.

- 15 -

The objectives of the proposals are to create additional pupil places to meet the demand created by an increase in birth rates in this area of the city.

Consultation 10. 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.

All statutory consultation requirements relating to these proposals have been complied with. The consultation approach was designed so that it could be easily accessible and well understood by as wide a range of parents and carers as possible. The consultation period ran from 17 th May to 4 th July, with a further 3 week extension agreed until 23 rd July 2010.

Parents A newsletter was distributed through the schools at the start of the consultation to outline the proposal, advertise the consultation events, and invite people’s views. Events were held at the school gates. There was also at least one school hall meeting for parents.

Pupils Staff at the schools discussed the proposals with pupils. A questionnaire was sent to the School Council, but no completed copies were returned. It is anticipated pupils will become more involved with the design phase.

Staff Council Officers attended at least one staff meeting to explain the background and why the proposals have been developed. All views were recorded.

Neighbouring Schools The relevant neighbouring primary schools were consulted in the same way.

Stakeholders such as both the Catholic Diocese and CE Diocese were consulted through various discussion forums (Children and Young People and Church Schools liaison group and the Population Growth and Primary Provision Advisory Group). Other stakeholders such as the local Community Assembly were kept up to speed via direct communication from the Community Assembly supporting team. A copy of the newsletters are attached (appendix 1 and 3). The consultation document is also attached (appendix 2). The summary and notes from the consultation events are also attached (appendix 4).

Project costs 11. 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.

The estimated capital cost of the proposals are £3m. This will be met in full from the Basic Need Safety Valve (BNSV) funding allocated to Sheffield City Council to respond to the needs created by an increased birth rate.

- 16 - 12. 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).

Confirmation of funding is available.

Age range 13. Where the proposals relate to a change in age range, the current age range for the school.

Not Applicable

Early years provision 14. Where the proposals are to alter the lower age limit of a mainstream school so that it provides for pupils aged between 2 and 5—

Not Applicable

Changes to sixth form provision 15. (a) Where the proposals are to alter the upper age limit of the school so that the school provides sixth form education or additional sixth form education, a statement of how the proposals will— Not Applicable

16. 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.

Not Applicable

Special educational needs 17. Where the proposals are to establish or change provision for special educational needs—

Not Applicable

18. Where the proposals are to discontinue provision for special educational needs—

Not Applicable

19. 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—

- 17 - Not Applicable

Sex of pupils 20. 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—

Not Applicable

21. 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—

Not Applicable

Extended services 22. 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.

Not Applicable

Need or demand for additional places 23. If the proposals involve adding places— (a) a statement and supporting evidence of the need or demand for the particular places in the area;

Like other urban authorities, Sheffield has experienced an increase in birth rates in some areas of the city and has identified a clear shortfall of primary school places from 2011/12. An options appraisal and a feasibility study which have included information about children living locally and historical migration patterns have steered the proposals to expand this school.

The table below highlights the difference between current places available and the forecast number on roll.

Current o. School Indicated Admission umber of Reception Forecast o. of Reception Age Children (IA) Age Children in Catchment

in Catchment 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Abbey Lane IJ (55) 70 75 98 80 Bradway IJ (58) 43 44 37 39 Greenhill IJ (75) 68 57 59 72 Lowedges NIJ (30) 79 78 90 112 Lower Meadow NIJ (45) 48 43 54 56 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary CE School – No Catchment Area (30)

- 18 - Total Reception Places (293) 308 297 338 359 Difference -15 -4 -45 -66

Total Forecast OR (96%) 289 286 325 345 Difference 4 7 -32 -52

(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;

Not Applicable

(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.

Not Applicable

24. If the proposals involve removing places—

Not Applicable

25. If the proposals involve removing places—

Not Applicable

Expansion of successful and popular schools

25A. (1) Proposals must include a statement of whether the proposer considers that the presumption for the expansion of successful and popular schools should apply, and where the governing body consider the presumption applies, evidence to support this.

Not Applicable

- 19 - Appendix 3

Sent: Thu 07/10/2010

Dear Sir / Madam

I wish to register a strong objection to the expansion of Westways School. I have a son in Reception year and I am a working lone parent. My employer has temporarily agreed for me to reduce my hours to part-time but I will soon be returning to full time work. It is essential that I, and other parents like me, have an After School Club. The designers who showed me the plans for where this facility will be clearly didn't have a clue as to its importance - in allowing parents to work - and had no idea that there was pressure on places. You are not providing a sufficiently-sized space, let alone for when the school has 50% more children in it. Worse still is that the After School Club will be in the Reception year classrooms so all those children in that year that attend the club every day will spend from 9 to 6 in the same room.

I also object to the sheer size of the school expansion programme, and the loss of the intimacy of the school that will inevitably occur. There are plenty of other sites where a new school could be opened to accommodate the rising population.

Regards

- 20 -

- 21 -

- 22 -