Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/125

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director of Children’s Services (CMDCEF4).

This is a school-led proposal from the Governing Body of Drayton Community Primary School to increase the formal published admission number from 25 to 30, on a permanent basis starting from September 2017. This will eventually increase the school’s total capacity from its current 175 places in year groups Reception – Year 6 to a maximum of 210. The school has only recently begun admitting above its previous PAN of 20, to meet demand in the area.

Drayton Community Primary School wants to be able to meet the needs of the local community. Primary schools in and around Abingdon have been under increasing pressure in recent years, and there is very limited spare capacity, especially in younger year groups where many schools are full.

Drayton Community Primary School agreed to admit above its PAN of 20 in September 2015 to help meet demand, and now in response to proposed housing growth in the village, Oxfordshire County Council is working on a feasibility study looking at how the school’s accommodation might expand. An expansion to 1 form entry is expected to be sufficient to meet the needs of the proposed sites for new housing identified in the Drayton Neighbourhood Plan (Drayton 2020).

The decision on this proposal lies with the Governing Body, however, following the consultation; governors now seek formal support for the proposal from the Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Families to cement the joint working with the County Council already taking place on this proposal.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to support the proposed expansion of Drayton Community Primary School.

Agreed.