Purpose

The purpose of this report is
to ensure that Sefton Council fulfils its statutory duty to provide
sufficient good quality school places, in
accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, by
expanding school places in Freshfield Primary School,
Formby.

Decision

Cabinet Member approval is
given under delegated authority for a supplementary capital
estimate of £23,722 for the scheme to expand school places at
Freshfield Primary School, funded by Basic Needs capital
grant.
 
Reasons the decision:
 
The Cabinet Member for Education is
delegated as the Decision Maker to approve the
proposed remodelling works for the year 5 and 6 classrooms at
Freshfield Primary.
 
By approving the project, the
cabinet member will be ensuring that the Council meets its
statutory duty to ensure sufficient good quality school places and
appropriate learning environments are available.
 
The shortage of Key Stage 2 places is across the whole of the
Formby Planning area, and as we expect this trend to continue, we
do see this scheme as a priority as we need to be able to place
pupils within a 2-mile radius ideally of their
residence. 
 
Alternative Options
Considered and Rejected: (including any
Risk Implications)
 
As there is not a shortage of
reception places in the Formby Primary schools, it would not be
feasible to request an increase to the schools’ published
admission number.  The most viable
option seems to be to utilise some of the basic needs funding in
order to allow this school to take an additional few pupils in
upper KS2 year on year which is where we most struggle for
places.