LONDON BOROUGH OF WALTHAM FOREST
Meeting / Date
23rd June 2015
Report Title
Proposed Secondary School Expansions for 2017/18
Cabinet Portfolio Councillor Rusling,
Portfolio Lead Member
for Children and Young
People
Report Author/
Contact details
Brendan Wells
Head of Service ; Commissioning Capital & Planning, Families
[email protected]
020 8496 3549
Linzi Roberts-Egan
Deputy Chief Executive of Families
Wards affected
Wood Street and Hoe Street Wards ,Hatch Lane Ward
Public Access
Report Open Except for Appendix 1 which is exempt in
accordance with Section 100(A-H) of the Local Government Act
1972 and Schedule 12A as amended, on the grounds that it
involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in
Part 1, paragraph 3, as it contains information relating to the
financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the
authority holding the information) and disclosure would not be in the
public interest.
Exempt as it contains confidential information (financial) which
could prejudice the receipt of competitive Tenders when tenders
solicited..
Appendices
Appendix 1. April 2015 SEAM Report entitled “Proposed
Secondary Expansions” (open)
Appendix 1a. April 2015 SEAM Report (exempt)
Appendix 2 - Climate Change Matrix
Appendix 3 - Equalities Analysis
1.
SUMMARY
Further to the October 2014 Cabinet decision on “Secondary School Provision”
to approve the expansion of existing provision where practicable to meet the
need for places in 2017 this report seeks approval to expand two schools by
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two forms of entry and develop a third ‘reserve’ school expansion project to
pre-planning stage
2.
RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1
Cabinet is recommended to:
2.1.1 Agree the development of permanent expansion and concomitant
accommodation proposals for two secondary schools as follows:
a) Heathcote School and Science College (Community School) to increase from
6FE (900pupils 11-16) to 8FE (1200pupils 11-16 age group); and
b) The Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth form, to increase from 6FE
(900pupils 11-16) to 8FE (1200pupils 11-16 age group); and
2.2
Agree the concurrent development of accommodation enlargement proposals
of a third ‘reserve ‘ option
c) Frederick Bremer, (Community School) to increase from 6FE (900pupils 1116) to 8FE (1200pupils 11-16 age group)
2.2.1 Agree that the statutory proposals to permanently expand Heathcote School
and The Holy Family Catholic School be proceeded with forthwith.
2.2.2 Delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead
for Children and Young People, any decision to proceed with a statutory
expansion proposal and the extension of accommodation in respect of
Frederick Bremer, and any decision to defer or withdraw the expansion and
accommodation proposals, in respect of any of the schools.
3.
PROPOSALS
3.1
On the 7th October 2014 Cabinet approved the “Secondary School Provision”
report. Recommendation 2.1.3 of the report approved “the expansion of
existing provision where practicable to meet the need for places in 2017”. In
order to meet the increased demand for places we must expand two secondary
schools by an additional two forms of entry. This report brings forward
proposals to address this. In addition, the October 2014 report identified that at
least one additional secondary school was required by 2018.
3.2
The provision of completely new schools can only be through Academies / Free
Schools funded by the EFA. The Lion Academy Trust 8FE Secondary Free
school has received ‘in principle’ approval by the EFA to open in September
2016. However there is no guarantee it will proceed as no site has been
identified. The Council did not support this free school application.
3.3
Critically, the statutory obligation to provide sufficient school places remains
with the local authority under section 14 of the Education Act 1996 - a local
authority must ensure that sufficient primary and secondary school places are
available for its area. Which means the responsibility to provide places remains
with Waltham Forest and we must ensure that there are sufficient places.
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3.4
If this free school does not proceed for whatever reason we will need to bring
forward additional proposals to meet the need for places in Waltham Forest.
3.5
Please note that the presumption is that the Lion Trust will look for a site close
to their existing Primaries in the centre of the Borough and that Heathcote is
therefore the least likely of the schools to be impacted by the proposed free
school.
3.6
In consultation with SOAB (Schools Organisation and Admissions Board) and
SEAM (Strategic Education and Asset Management Board) detailed criteria
were agreed to assess schools and inform the final decision of which schools to
expand. NPSL and the LEP have carried out Feasibility Studies looking at site
opportunities and constraints (design analysis), cost (estimated at this stage),
delivery and risk. Members are referred to their report to SEAM April 2015
entitled “Proposed Secondary Expansions” (attached as Appendix 1). The open
section of this report sets out the information and evaluation process that
informed these recommendations. Appendix 1a is the part of this report which
is exempt since it contains financial information, the disclosure of which could
prejudice the receipt of competitive Tenders and it is not in the public interest to
make that detailed financial information available at this stage.
3.7
Members are referred to the ‘Secondary expansion Matrix’ within Appendix 1a
which considered criteria ranging from educational priorities, school governing
body support to site capacity and deliverability.
3.8
Two key criteria were educational attainment and existing demand for places.
Educational Criteria : it is Borough Policy to only expand good or outstanding
schools therefore the ranking is based on the Ofsted rating, (both Heathcote
School and The Holy Family School are rated “good” across the board).
Although Frederick Bremer is not rated “good”, their rating for leadership is
“good” and the report at Appendix 1 sets out the detail of why this school is
recommended to be expanded.
3.9
Because of the potential uncertainties regarding the outcome of the proposal
for the free school, and need to retain flexibility in school’s planning in order to
meet need, Cabinet is asked to delegate any decision to withdraw either
proposal in respect of Heathcote School and The Holy Family School and
instead proceed with a proposal for Frederick Bremer, or in any event proceed
with a third proposal in respect of Frederick Bremer to the Deputy Chief
Executive of Families in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Children and
Young People. This delegation would enable the authority to deliver the
recommendations as set out in the report and agreed by the Strategic
Education and Asset Management Board.
4.
OPTIONS & ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
4.1
Apart from the three
considered as options;
schools recommended the following schools were
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4.1.1 Walthamstow School for Girls (WSFG). There is currently a gender imbalance
in our community schools which weighed against expanding Walthamstow
School for Girls (whose Governing Body did not express an interest in
expanding). WSFG has recently been through a building programme as part of
the BSF programme.
A negative criteria identified in the 9 December 2014 “Schools Capital
Programme” report at paragraph 6.3.3 was the fact that “ there is a high
proportion of single sex girls provision in the Borough which has negatively
impacted on the gender balance in our mixed provisions. Considerations of
secondary expansion will be informed by the desire to redress this balance”
4.1.2 Willowfield Humanities College. This is a good school which has recently
expanded by two forms of entry. In September 2015 it is moving from its
current site to a new school by Blackhorse Road tube station. The existing site
is remaining in educational use .
4.1.3 Norlington School for Boys. This is a good school which expressed an interest
in expansion but is currently undersubscribed and on a very small site limiting
its capacity for expansion. The school has approval for starting a sixth form
which commences in September 2015, the Authority is supporting the school in
preparing to receive their new Y12 cohort.
4.1.4 Kelmscott School. This school is currently ‘RI’ rather than good. NPSL carried
out a detailed feasibility study demonstrating than an affordable expansion
option was achievable on this site but it has not been recommended for
expansion as the educational attainment criterion is the key criteria for
expansion. In addition there are site development issues.
5.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY PRIORITIES (AND OTHER
NATIONAL OR LOCAL POLICIES OR STRATEGIES)
5.1
During the development stage due regard will be given sustainability.
Department for Education guidelines currently require that all school buildings
meet at least the “very good” standard as assessed by the Building Research
Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
As part of the statutory approval process all capital schemes will comply with
Building Regulations Part L2 (conservation of fuel and power) and the Council’s
Planning and Development Management policy DM10 (Proposals shall achieve
compliance with the Council's planning policies by requiring 35% carbon
reduction against 2013 building regulations).
5.2
The schools will be required to provide comprehensive travel plans. These
plans will encourage travel to school on bicycle, on foot or via public transport.
On site car parking will be minimised and bicycle secure storage facilities will
be increased and improved, this should reduce the number of car journeys by
children and staff which in turn will help to reduce carbon emissions.
5.3
A Climate Change Matrix has been completed (Appendix 2) and this sets out
sustainability items that will be addressed. These will vary from site to site and
will include addressing air quality issues, any site contamination, better
insulation, sustainable urban drainage systems, recycling during construction
and post construction energy use for example.
5.4
To comply with the Council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy each project shall
be considered pre-procurement as to the impact it will have on the local
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economy, the environment and socially. Where possible, initiatives around
apprenticeships and local supply chain will be incorporated into the relevant
contracts.
6.
CONSULTATION
6.1
You will note from the attached Appendix 1 Secondary Expansion Matrix that
criteria ranging from educational priorities, school governing body support to
site capacity and deliverability were considered. The criteria were developed in
concert with the school organisation and admissions board and reported and
agreed at SEAM.
6.2
Governing Bodies were written to (all secondary schools ) and governing body
responses to this letter were a key criterion on the Matrix assessment.
6.3
The recommendations in the attached SEAM report were discussed at SEAM
and the recommendations in this report agreed at SEAM.
7.
IMPLICATIONS
7.1
Finance, Value for Money and Risk
7.1.1 The rationale for capital investment has been based on need for additional
school places and need to invest in the school infrastructure. The financial
commitment is consistent with the Capital Programme Report agreed at
Cabinet December 2014
which earmarked £20 million for secondary
expansion plus contingency of £4m.
7.2
Legal
7.2.1 The local authority has a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient
schools available in its borough for providing primary and secondary education.
Availability can include provision in academies/free schools. This is a “target
duty” meaning that it will be met if all reasonable steps are taken. The council
has the power to expand existing community schools but under section 6A of
the Education and Inspections Act 2006 where the council thinks that a new
school is necessary it must seek proposals from academies / free schools. The
report’s recommendations support the council’s strategy to meet demand for
secondary places (Cabinet Report 7 October 2014).
7.2.2 Under the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools)
(England) Regulations 2013 the authority may propose alterations resulting in
the enlargement of a maintained school using a statutory process.
Once
published a proposal may be withdrawn provided that it is withdrawn before a
determination is made and notice is given to the relevant governing body.
Cabinet is being asked to delegate decision making that enables the authority
to either withdraw proposals once commenced, and/or proceed with the
statutory proposal in in respect of a third school as set out in the report.
7.3
Equalities and Diversity
7.3.1 The projects will have a positive impact on children and young people by
facilitating improvements in
The supply of school places relative to demand;
Educational outcomes through the provision of better educational facilities in a
healthier and more pleasant school environment;
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People with disabilities (including pupils, staff and visitors) will benefit from the
provision of new accommodation, which will be required to comply with the
access requirements in the Equality Act 2010;
In meeting its s.14 duty, the Council must have due regard to its public sector
equality duty under s.149 of the Equality Act 2010. This must be seen in the
context that the authority has no control over the purpose and ethos of free
schools and Academies. Equality Analysis screening has been completed
(Appendix 3) which did not identify any potential negative impact on those with
protected equality characteristics resulting from this proposal.
7.4
Sustainability (including climate change, health, crime and disorder)
7.4.1 The Proposed Projects will play a key role in delivering the Council’s priorities
as identified in Policy CS9: Promoting Better Education, Waltham Forest Local
Plan Core Strategy, March 2012. This policy helps Waltham Forest promote
better education opportunities by providing access to high quality secondary
school education places so that all young residents in the Borough can be
educated to a high standard.
7.4.2 These secondary schools capital investment will be sustainably designed,
energy efficient and easily accessible by sustainable transport modes.
7.4.3 These improved expanded schools will continue to act as community hubs
making them accessible to the general public outside school hours, providing
equal life chances, building sustainable communities and encouraging more
families to remain in the Borough.
7.4.4 The sustainable implications of this investment will affect the development
process and the completed buildings and include water use, energy efficiency,
air quality and pollution, waste (reducing, re-using and re-cycling waste), land
(re-use of sites), biodiversity (green space), transport (Travel Plans), and
design including energy efficient systems.
7.5
Council Infrastructure
7.5.1 The Council has identified a priority to invest in the Council’s infrastructure to
facilitate improved utilisation of sites and buildings. The Schools Capital
Programme (December Cabinet Report) fulfils this objective both in terms of
expanding existing schools and provision of new schools.
The resources required within the Council have already been identified as part
of their annual resource plan which will be contained within the capital funding
available.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (as defined by Local Government (Access to
Information) Act 1985)
Cabinet Reports;
07 October 2014
9th December 2014
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