Purpose

To fund Whitefriars Primary School SEND unit
Provision. £2,328,800

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 
That the Executive:
 

a)   
Agreed the proposed Capital Project to provide a
SEND unit at Whitefriars Primary School in Rushden, noting the
scheme will be funded by Higher Needs Funding.
 

b)   
Delegated  authority to
the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills,
in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s
Services and the Executive Director of Place and Economy, to
authorise all necessary legal, property and financial agreements to
ensure effective delivery of the project. 
 
 
Reasons for Recommendations:

 

·      
Under school place planning duties as set in s13-14
Education Act 1996 the Council as an education authority has a duty
to promote high standards of education and fair access to education
including SEND.  
 

·      
NNC has a pupil place strategy which includes the
provision of mainstream SEND Units both in primary and secondary
schools to address the identified deficit of SEND places. This
Scheme forms part of that strategy in providing essential places in
East Northants.
 

·      
To develop a SEND Units at the school, Capital
investment is required. 
 

·      
To accord with legislation and the policy of the
Council.
 
Alternative Options
Considered:
 

·      
Option 1: Do nothing
- This would fail to support the sufficiency
strategy to develop SEND Units in mainstream Schools both primary
and secondary to address the deficit of SEND places and create
appropriate pathways.
 

·      
Option 2: Deliver a SEND unit at Whitefriars Primary
School by September 2025.