Meeting documents

The Executive
Tuesday, 20 April 2004

EX200404-09

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Division(s): Faringdon

ITEM EX9


OUTLINE PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED 609

NAME OF SCHEME: Faringdon Community College – Extensions and Alterations

BASIS OF ESTIMATE: Initial budgetary assessment of cost Start Year: 2004/2005

(Resource Appraisal - download as .xls file)

  1. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

This scheme deals with the need to provide suitable and sufficient accommodation to meet the projected growth in pupil numbers up to a capacity of 1050 pupils.

Discussions have taken place with school governors and staff to address the accommodation needs and a detailed site development plan is currently being prepared by the Council’s property consultants to ensure that the scheme forms the first part of a long term development plan to provide for pupil growth, new curriculum requirements, modernisation of existing buildings and replacement of temporary accommodation. Option appraisals will be carried out for significant elements of the scheme. The work will need to be carried out in phases as follows:

Phase 1

    • The provision of further temporary accommodation to address pupil growth from September 2004
    • Internal alterations to create 2 technology rooms and 2 art rooms

Phase 2

    • The construction of a new science faculty comprising 9 full size laboratories
    • Provision of enlarged drama and music accommodation
    • An expansion of the hard play area to meet the needs of existing pupils and anticipated growth in numbers

Phase 3

    • The provision of new general classrooms and minor internal alterations to provide for pupil growth and replacement of temporary accommodation
    • Removal of temporary classrooms upon completion of these works.

The purpose of this appraisal is to propose a strategy that will be taken forward to address the accommodation needs of the school to meet the growth in pupil numbers. Detailed appraisals will be brought forward for each phase of the work as determined by the programme of work and available funding.

  1. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED
  2. The school has experienced significant pupil growth for some years and predicted numbers continue to grow. The capacity of the buildings was 754 pupil places in 2000 and will need to rise 1050 pupil places to accommodate the predicted future rise in pupil numbers. This significant growth of more than 25% will require Statutory Notices to be published and the approval of the School Organisation Committee. No adverse comments have been received from initial consultations that have taken place with other LEA’s affected i.e. Swindon and Gloucestershire, other schools in the area including those across county borders, parents and the Learning and Skills Council.

    The purpose of this appraisal is also for the Executive to agree to proceed with the formal process that is required where significant change to school premises is proposed.

    The current accommodation is inadequate to cope with predicted numbers. The school already has a number of temporary classrooms on site. Earlier proposals to convert the existing undersized science classrooms did not provide adequate teaching spaces due to space restrictions of the existing steel framed building and were not recommended by the Science Adviser.

  3. OTHER OPTIONS
  4. The only other option would be to increase the number of temporary classrooms and to continue with the present arrangements which are damaging to the delivery of the science and technology curriculum at the school. To do nothing will continue to cause the schools operational and management difficulties with implications for health and safety and welfare of pupils and staff.

  5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
        1. Capital

The initial budgetary assessment of cost inclusive of professional fees is as follows:

    • Phase 1 - £400,000
    • Phase 2 - £2,300,000
    • Phase 3 - £1,000,000

The Phases 1 & 2 will be funded from Annual Capital Guidelines credit approval (£2, 278,000) and from the limited funding received under the government’s initiative for Expanding Popular Schools (£422,000). Phase 3 is currently unfunded and will not be brought forward until resources become available.

          ii. Revenue

The running costs including day-to-day and structural repairs will be met from the School’s delegated budget under the Councils ‘Fair Funding’ scheme.

  1. STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
  2. There are no staffing implications arising from this appraisal.

  3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The building work will be carried out in accordance with the planning permission issued by the County Council. The design, materials and landscaping requirements will be specified in the application for consent.


KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Learning and Culture

CHRIS GRAY
Head of Finance, Resources


NEIL MONAGHAN
Head of Property, Resources

Contact Officer: John Phipps, Education Officer Tel: (01865) 428176

April 2004

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