Purpose

Proposed new educational use of the Wilby
School building from September 2024.

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 

That the Executive:
 

i)              
Approved the proposal to repurpose the Wilby CEVA
Primary School building as an additional site for Rowan Gate
Primary School (Special).

 

ii)             
Approved the continuation of the statutory process
for  expansion onto the additional site
in line with  Department for Education
(DfE) guidance. ‘

 

 

Reasons for Recommendations:

·       
To ensure the delivery of sufficient suitable school
places that meet the needs of the community now and in the
future.

·       
To provide an appropriate expansion of an existing
school to meet the growing forecasted deficit of school places in
North Northants.

·       
To support the current shortage of SEND places in
North Northants.

·       
To support children to access special needs
education and facilities that enable the achievement of the best
outcomes.

·       
To make effective and efficient use of the education
estate to meet the needs of all pupils.

·       
The expansion provides an opportunity to meet our
statutory responsibilities to provide sufficiency of school places
in North Northants.

·       
To progress the expansion onto an additional site in
accordance with legislative requirements and Department for
Education (DfE) statutory guidance “Making a Significant
Change to a Maintained School”.

 
 
Alternative Options Considered:

Alternative options
were considered for the new use of the Wilby School
building:

·      
Option1: Mothball the Wilby School building and not
offer additional SEND school places in Wellingborough

·      
Option 2: Lease the Wilby School building to an
Alternative Provision (AP) provider

·      
Option 3: Repurpose the building to expand Rowan
Gate Primary School (Special) to the former building