Purpose

This report seeks approval to allocate up to £0.200m of High Needs Capital Funding to Greenfield Primary School for the creation of an inclusion space.  Funding will be provided to the school through a grant agreement.

Decision

(i)     Approval for a budget virement of £0.200m from unallocated High Needs Capital Grant, to fund the creation of classroom spaces at Greenfield Primary School to support the needs of pupils with special educational needs.

(ii)   That the council to enter into a grant agreement with Greenfield School to enable the delivery of the works.

(iii) The works are to be delivered by the school under the oversight of the Education Capital Project Team, with costs monitored to ensure best value. 

Reasons for the decision

The project will provide an additional 12 special placements for children with SEND. It will also ensure the school is equipped to support future cohorts with similar requirements. This is in-line with the LAs SEND sufficiency strategy around creating in-borough mainstream placements

Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of all children and young people in their area, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The proposal is in line with the Council’s ambition that all children within the borough should have a school place as close to home as possible, able to meet their individual learning needs, and for as many children as possible with an Education Health and Care Plan to have a suitable place within a mainstream setting. This aligns with the Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2025-2030. 

Alternative options considered

Maintain current provision without creating additional Specialist places. This would not address the growing demand for specialist places within mainstream settings. It risks non-compliance with the Council’s statutory duty to ensure sufficient and appropriate school places.

Commission additional specialist places from independent providers or neighbouring authorities. This would result in significantly higher costs, reduced local control over quality and provision, and increased travel for pupils.