Issue - meetings

This Project Approval Report is for the construction of a new Sixth Form Centre at The Cooper School, Bicester.  Cabinet approved a statutory proposal to extend the age range of The Cooper School to include a new sixth form at its meeting 26 May 2009. The new sixth form is required to be operational from 1 September 2011.

The addition of a Sixth Form at The Cooper School is part of a broader 14 - 19 strategy in Bicester. The Cooper School will continue to work closely with the other secondary school in the town, Bicester Community College, Bardwell Special School and Oxford and Cherwell Valley College to jointly offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses. The addition of a sixth form at The Cooper school will provide an additional educational opportunity in a town which currently offers little choice post-16.

The sixth form centre will be housed in a new purpose built building. To ensure that sufficient accommodation is in place to support the change in age range at the school the project also includes an extension to the school’s science faculty to provide 2 additional science laboratories and alterations to the Design & Technology area to create an engineering workshop. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve Project Appraisal ED747 for the provision of new Sixth Form Accommodation at Cooper School, Bicester.

Cabinet considered a Project Approval Report for the construction of a new Sixth Form Centre at The Cooper School, Bicester. 

The sixth form centre will be housed in a new purpose built building. To ensure that sufficient accommodation is in place to support the change in age range at the school the project also includes an extension to the school’s science faculty to provide 2 additional science laboratories and alterations to the Design & Technology area to create an engineering workshop. 

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement commented that the scheme was a major capital commitment that would deliver the most significant improvement in post 16 education in a generation. It would raise the expectation and aspirations in the area.

Cabinet noted that officers continued to seek funding from the learning & Skills Council. Councillor Hudspeth welcomed the funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government and stated that he would work with Cherwell DC to see if there was any additional funding.

RESOLVED;             to approve Project Appraisal ED747 for the provision of new Sixth Form Accommodation at Cooper School, Bicester.

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