Report to Cabinet

Future Education Provision

Portfolio Holder: Cllr A Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years

Officer Contact: Caroline Sutton, Director Education and Early Years

Report Author: Paula Green, Interim Education Provision Manager Ext. 3158

17 October 2016

Reason for Decision Oldham Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places within its area. There is a forecasted shortfall in the secondary sector from September 2017. In order to meet this demand it is envisaged that the following projects will be needed;  Three secondary school expansions  A new build secondary free school

Recommendations It is recommended that Cabinet:

1. Agrees the programme of future schemes for expansion outlined in this report and the proposals for expansion/newly built schools at Crompton House School, The Oldham Academy North, Oasis Academy together with a new secondary free school.

2. Notes the programme of expansion will be funded by the basic needs funding allocated (totaling £38.2m) to Oldham local authority for 2017/18 and 2018/2019.

3. Delegates authority to the Director of Education and Early Years to develop, consult, procure and arrange for the execution by the Director of Legal Services of any relevant contracts and incidental and ancillary documentation, in accordance with the agreed school expansions programme.

Cabinet 17 October 2016

Education Provision

1 Background

1.1 There continues to be an increase in demand and significant pressure on school places in the borough. This is as a result of an increasing birth rate, new housing developments and a growing number of families moving into the borough, including high numbers of International New Arrivals. The current primary surplus places for the borough is 1.2% (secondary surplus is 6% at present). The recommended surplus stated by Central Government is 5%.

1.2 A report to Cabinet in March 2014 highlighted the need for additional primary school places and several primary programmes have commenced as a result of that report. Primary expansions included;

Old PAN Revised PAN Planning Area Bare Trees C P 70 90 Chadderton Yew Tree C P 60 90 Chadderton EC St George’s C E 30 60 Royton/Shaw Greenfield C P 20 30 Saddleworth/Lees St Hilda’s C E 45 60 West Oldham Propps Hall C P 20 30 Failsworth/Hollinwood Watersheddings C P 30 45 East Oldham Mills Hill C P 60 90 Chadderton Oasis Academy Limeside 30 60 Failsworth/Hollinwood Kingfisher Special (Free) School 140 (total) 280 (total) Chadderton

1.3 As a result of this increase in primary numbers there is expected to be a significant shortfall of secondary school places across the borough from September 2017.

1.4 In September 2016, secondary demand has only been met with a number of short term expansions of year group sizes in a number of schools. Significant further pressure is expected from September 2017 and substantial physical expansion of schools will be required to ensure sufficient school places are provided to satisfy demand.

1.5 School capacity and future projections information is submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) annually. The information on this return determines the basic needs funding allocation calculated by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) annually. The EFA has allocated sums of £15.4m for 2017/18 and £22.8m for 2018/19 (a total of £38.2m) for providing capital works programmes to satisfy the need for school places under the Basic Needs Funding Programme.

1.6 The process for identifying school/settings expansion projects has been followed as set out in The Education Provision Strategy that was agreed by Cabinet in August 2016.

1.7 There are a number of schemes that have been discussed at the Education Provision Group (EPG), which seek to address the pressure and satisfy demand in the borough, ensuring our statutory duty of providing sufficient school places is adhered to. It is now necessary to establish and work towards delivery of a structured programme of works and identification of possible sites. This will give the greatest certainty over the Council’s ability to deliver the required number of places. The schemes for recommendation have been

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chosen due to their priority on the decision making matrix (appendix 20.5) (as per the Education Strategy that is a background paper to this report).

2 Current Position

2.1 There are currently sufficient surplus places in year 7 to year 11 in the secondary sector. However for year 7 in September 2016 there are only 37 vacancies across the entire borough and there are still applicants that have not applied. If all the non-applicants apply there will be a deficit of -41 places. There will be no spare places in year 7 for in year movement next academic year.

2.2 The data for secondary school places across Oldham does not further sub-divide the requirement for places at any lower geographical level than across the entire borough. However presuming the secondary follows the primary trend, the pressure and demand for school places will lie in Central Oldham.

2.3 Forecasts show that by September 2017 an additional 300 places will be needed in year 7 and subsequently across all other year groups. By 2021 a further additional 400 places will be needed in year 7 and subsequently across all other year groups. In total this means we will be 700 places short by 2021.

2.4 The anticipated level of additional secondary school places required indicates that at least one new secondary school or circa 8 to 10 forms of entry (1200-1500 pupils) will be required in addition to these expansion proposals. Project delivery could be via; expansion/relocation of an existing provider, new school under the academy presumption or a new free school. Choice of site would either be an existing Council site or would require the acquisition of a new site.

2.5 The Education Act 2011 changed the arrangements for establishing new schools and introduced section 6A into the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The effect of this piece of legislation means that any new schools will be Academies or Free Schools. If the Council seeks to establish a new school under the Academy process the Council will have the ability to select a preferred sponsor for consideration by DFE through the Academy Presumption process, however, this route makes the council liable to fund start-up costs for the new school from the DSG. The start-up costs consist of: o resources needed for the new school to open and function from its first day o Pre-opening costs for staffing, recruitment etc If a Free School is sought no such burden is placed on the DSG for startup costs, however, the ability to nominate a preferred sponsor through a presumption process is lost. The Council has and will seek to ensure that any Free School established in Oldham will be able to demonstrate its capacity to provide a good or outstanding provision and work closely with the LA and the wider school community.

2.6 The opportunity to expand existing secondary schools has been evaluated using the Secondary Schools Priority Matrix. Using the matrix criterion the potential schools for expansion are the following in priority order; Crompton House School, Hathershaw College, North Chadderton School and The Oldham Academy North. To date only one feasibility idea has been considered at Crompton House School based upon an approach from the school. Crompton House School has put forward a proposal to expand from an 8FE to 10/12 FE i.e. an expansion of 60/120 school places per year group.

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2.7 In February 2015 Royton and Crompton was approved to receive significant investment through the Priority Schools Building Programme Phase 2 (PSPB2). Cabinet agreed to set aside additional funding to secure an expanded new build at its meeting in September.

2.8 The above schools are both situated in the Royton and Shaw area. Whilst demand in that area is high, the pressure for school places is most significant is the East and West Oldham areas.

2.9 Hathershaw College, North Chadderton School and The Oldham Academy North all have sites that could potentially house new blocks on.

2.10 Oasis Academy previously had a planned admission number of 300 and reduced to 240 in September 2016. There is sufficient space and capacity in this building for Oasis to return to a PAN of 300.

2.11 A number of schools could be expanded to give the additional places necessary;

School Additional places Revised PAN Crompton House School 120 343 Hathershaw College 90 300 North Chadderton School 60 300 The Oldham Academy North 60 300 Oasis Academy 60 300 Royton and Crompton (PSPB2) 60 300 TOTAL ADDITIONAL PLACES 450

2.12 The scheme for Crompton House School has been evaluated as the highest preference for expansion on the priority matrix. This is due to it being rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and being the third most oversubscribed school in Oldham, after Blue Coat and North Chadderton. The expansion would increase the school from an 8 form entry to a 12 form entry.

2.13 Expansion of The Oldham Academy North would also provide an additional 60 places (2FE).

2.14 Oasis Academy already has the site and space to take an additional 60 pupils (2FE) at no cost to the LA.

2.15 Oasis Academy, North Chadderton and Failsworth have all agreed temporary increases in PANs for September 2017, if they can access growth funding which will give us an additional 100 places in September 2017.. To address the -317 shortfall in 2018, Oasis Academy, The Oldham Academy North and Crompton House will all need expansion.

3 Options

3.1 Option 1: Do nothing – this will mean that the LA is in breach of its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places across the borough.

3.2 Option 2: Approve the expansions as proposed. At 2.12 - 2.15 above.

3.3 Option 3: Reject expansion proposals in option 2 and seek the urgent development of 2 new secondary schools. There is a risk that this will mean there will be insufficient school places in 2017/18.

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3.4 Option 4: Approve the expansion proposed in option 2 and develop a new secondary school scheme through the Free School Route

4 Preferred Option - Option 4

Agree the schemes for;

 Crompton House School expansion to increase the school from an 8 form entry to a 12 form entry.  The expansion of The Oldham Academy North providing an additional 60 places (2FE).  Note that Oasis Academy already has the site and space to take an additional 60 pupils (2FE) at no cost to the LA.  Note that Oasis, North Chadderton and Failsworth have all agreed temporary increases in PANs if they can access growth funding which will give us an additional 100 places in September 2017.  Agree that officers develop proposals for a new secondary school through the Free School Route.

5 Consultation

5.1 The above options have all been discussed by the Education Provision Group and this group has agreed the proposals and recommendations are now progressed forward for Cabinet approval. Discussions will now need to commence with the relevant schools/academies, then a further consultation should take place with all other schools/academies to inform them of how decisions have been made.

5.2 With regards to Oasis Academy, Crompton House School and The Oldham Academy North the following consultation process will be followed according to statutory legislation;  As Crompton House School and The Oldham Academy North are rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and the expansions are less than 50% of the schools overall capacity, they would be able to make a fast track application for approval via the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC)  A local consultation running for four weeks would need to take place in the first instance with all those who could be affected by the proposed change

5.3 Oasis Academy would not need consultation as it is not an expansion to the premises.

6 Financial Implications

6.1 The financial implications are detailed in the Part B report. (James Postle)

7 Legal Services Comments

7.1 Legal Services will provide legal advice and support as and when required to do so to support the proposed expansion programme and will advise on the consultation process to mitigate any risk of legal challenge.

7.2 Legal Services will provide legal advice in relation to the procurement of the contractors and the drafting of relevant contractual documentation. (Elizabeth Cunningham-Doyle)

8. Co-operative Agenda

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8.1 Objective 1: A Productive Place where business and enterprise thrive.

8.2 Outcome: Ensuring the creation of sufficient quality school places and effective, inspiring learning environments. Ensuring that the Local Authority is adhering to their statutory duty of providing sufficient school places in the borough and ensuring a higher percentage of families can go to a school of their preference.

8.3 Objective 3: A co-operative council delivering good value services to support a co-operative borough.

8.4 Outcome: Deliver our statutory duties and services to a good standard and ensure they are value for money.

9 Human Resources Comments

9.1 There are no HR implications from a statutory perspective. Formation of new schools and expansion of existing provision will provide valuable employment opportunities in the borough. Any new provider will be encouraged to adhere to the principles outlined in the Oldham Academies Policy. (Andy Collinge, Education Information and Advice Service Manager)

10 Risk Assessments

10.1 By implementing a scheduled and robust programme of capital works and expansions the risk of running short of school places will be reduced and the likelihood of creating high quality places will be increased.

11 IT Implications

11.1 Not applicable.

12 Property Implications

12.1 The proposed capital schemes will facilitate the expansion of schools to ensure the Council satisfies its statutory duty to ensure sufficient places are available.

12.2 The design, procurement and construction of each project will be considered specifically and necessary individual project proposals made dependent upon the project type and criteria for success. (Barney Harle)

13 Procurement Implications

13.1 Any works associated with school expansions are to be carried out in line with EU Regulations and Oldham Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

13.2 It would be prudent to ensure that the proposed recommended options, including the expansion proposals are aligned with the council’s overall commercial strategy in relation to school expansions. (Darren Judge)

14 Environmental and Health & Safety Implications

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14.1 The availability of sufficient high quality school places will reduce the likelihood that parents will have to travel beyond a reasonable walking distance in order to take their children to school. This will in turn have the effect of reducing the number of car journeys as parents make every effort to get their children to school on time and keep them safe by collecting them at the end of the school day.

14.2 By attending their preferred school parents and children are more likely to feel confident about their educational experience which can contribute to their sense of wellbeing.

15 Equality, community cohesion and crime implications

15.1 Admission authorities have a legal duty to comply with parental preference wherever possible. Consequently, Oldham’s school place planning approach takes account of identified demand for places. In terms of equality, the proposal will positively increase the supply of school places in the borough.

15.2 The LA makes every effort to ensure that parents are not only aware of which schools are available in their local area and beyond but that the information that is published is clear and concise so that parents and young people are able to make informed choices about which school they would like to attend. The level of satisfaction in terms of the availability of places at the preferred school contributes directly to community cohesion.

16 Equality Impact Assessment Completed?

16.1 Yes on 01.08.2016.

17 Key Decision

17.1 Yes

18 Key Decision Reference

18.1 EEY-04-16.

19 Background Papers

19.1 None

20 Appendices

20.1 None

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY It is recommended that the investment programme outlined in section 2 to section 4 is approved to address basic needs provision for the next three years. The remainder of the basic needs funding allocation 2018-2019 would remain unallocated but specifically held in reserve towards the Council’s portion of costs of a new secondary free school and other capital works progammes in other planning areas to be brought to Cabinet at a later date.

The implications of not addressing the basic needs provision at this time would result in the Local Authority not meeting its statutory duty. Additionally there would be an increase in the number of

7 children travelling greater that the statutory recommended travelling distance to schools and an increase in the number of siblings attending different schools.

RECOMMENDATIONS We are currently experiencing significant pressure in the year 7 cohort of the secondary sector, with just enough places this year to meet demand. This has been achieved through working with headteachers to temporarily increase their Planned Admission Numbers. In 2018, projections show that there will be a deficit of 300 year 7 places in the borough. This forecast is also evidenced by the number of pupils that are in the year 5 cohort now that will be year 7 in September 2018.

We have planned an extensive capital works programme that will address this need in the secondary sector. The agreement by Cabinet in October 2016, will allow feasibility to take place before Christmas, so that planning applications (a process that takes 12 weeks) can be submitted thereafter and capital work can be scheduled to start in the Spring Term 2017. It is imperative that this timeline is adhered to so the build programme (which will take approx. 16 months) can be completed for the end of the academic year 2017/2018. This will enable any remodelling of internal spaces to be done during the summer holidays 2018 to minimise disruption to teaching and learning and for projects to be complete for the pupils starting secondary school in September 2018.

Any delay in the timeline will result in Oldham LA not being able to offer all year 7 pupils a place at secondary in September 2018.

All potential schemes have been selected as a result of the Education Provision Group (EPG) analysing capacity, demand and future projections. The EPG consists of members from across housing, planning, regeneration, finance, business intelligence, education, capital works and elected members including Cllr Moores and Cllr Akhtar. The planning areas where the most significant shortfall was evidenced (Secondary, Saddleworth/Lees, East and West Oldham) were analysed further through the EPG Priority Matrices. These matrices assess and prioritise each potential school scheme, taking in to account education standards, demand, site feasibility and value for money in terms of cost per additional pupil place.

It is recommended that an amount of the Basic Needs funding for 2018/2019 totaling £38.2m be allocated towards;  Crompton House School - additional 120 places per year group  The Oldham Academy North – additional 60 places per year group  1 x secondary expansion at Oasis Academy, no cost – additional 60 places per year group  (New secondary (additional 300 places) free school  Feasibility costs

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