Purpose

To convert existing accommodation at Madley Brook Primary School for additional Springfield Special School SEND provision. The project will convert three Madley Brook classrooms into two Springfield SEND classrooms with associated group rooms, hygiene rooms and stores, delivering approximately 16 additional SEND pupil places without changing the current number on roll at Madley Brook Primary School.

Decision

Approval to release £0.225m for Phase 1 enabling works, procurement of Phase 2, OCC staff and legal costs, and allowances for risk and contingency; to release £0.221m from this funding to The Gallery Trust to undertake the Phase 1 enabling works; and to increase the total capital budget from the original IBC estimate of £0.754m to £0.929m. The increase reflects the delay and revised programme, adoption of a two-phase approach, and additional works to absorb corridor resource areas into two Madley Brook classrooms. The capital cost is to be met from S106 contributions (Project W/EDSP/2).

Reasons for the decision

The project responds to the need for additional Special School places identified through Oxfordshire’s SEND Sufficiency Delivery Strategy. Delays in agreeing the division of school space, design development and contractor changes mean the main works can no longer be completed during the 2026 summer vacation as originally planned. A two-phase approach allows enabling works to proceed in summer 2026 while Phase 2 design and remodelling progress, avoiding a further one-year delay. The revised £0.929m estimate also reflects the additional resource-area works and revised programme.

Alternative options considered

The Outline Business Case states that the intent of the OCC costed Options Appraisal has been maintained as the scheme going forward with The Gallery Trust and River Learning Trust, with the addition of absorbing the resource areas into the classroom spaces. The alternative of delaying the project by a further year is referenced but the proposed two-phase approach is intended to maintain delivery in 2026.