Agenda, decisions and minutes

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/109

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: 07795 301254

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

This report follows a public consultation and Statutory Notice period relating to a proposal to expand Launton CE Primary School to 1 form entry. The proposal was requested by the school’s Governing Body, and the capital investment which would be required has been assessed by the county council’s property consultants.

Launton village is part of the Bicester partnership of schools, where pupil numbers have risen and large strategic housing developments are planned. To ensure sufficient pupil places are available a number of new schools are planned, and some existing schools are being expanded. Within Launton village there has been some housing development permitted.

This report summarises the response from the public consultation, and the conclusions of the feasibility assessment into how the school’s accommodation could be expanded. It outlines the expected consequences of either approving or rejecting the proposed expansion.

The decision-making power in terms of determining the proposal in this case lies with the Cabinet Member for Education.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to reject the proposal to expand Launton CE Primary School at the current time.

(This is because the cost of the options currently identified for the physical expansion of the school’s capacity do not represent good value for money.)

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/110

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer Tel: 07795 301254

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CMDCEF5).

This is a proposal to expand West Witney Primary School to increase the formal published admission number from 45 to 60, on a permanent basis starting from September 2017. This will eventually increase the school’s total capacity from its current 315 places in year groups Reception – Year 6 to a maximum of 420.

The objective of the proposal is to ensure the County Council can continue to ensure sufficient primary school places for children living in the west Witney and surrounding area, to meet a rapid rise in demand for primary school places in the town. This expansion is required ahead of and in addition to the planned new primary school on the housing development permitted in nearby north Curbridge.

West Witney Primary School has admitted over its Admission Number in September 2016 in order to ensure sufficient places are available, and the plan is to make this growth permanent by constructing additional accommodation at this popular school.

The Cabinet Member for Education is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed expansion of West Witney Primary School.