Purpose

This report seeks approval to vire up to £0.410m of High Needs Capital Funding to Rayner Stephens High School to install a modular classroom, freeing up space inside the building for use by Cromwell High School.  This project creates in-building capacity for Cromwell High School.

Decision

RESOLVED

(i)                That Approval be granted for a budget virement from unallocated High Needs Capital Funding to allocate £0.410m to fund the transport and siting of a modular building at Rayner Stephens High School, to allow capacity to increase at Cromwell High School.

(ii)             That Approval be given to allocate a grant agreement with Stamford Park Trust to enable the delivery of the works.

(iii)           That 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 proposed works are essential to increase in-building capacity at Cromwell High School.  The investment supports inclusive education, promotes dignity and independence, and aligns with the council’s statutory responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice.

The facility will also ensure future readiness to accommodate other pupils with similar needs, contributing to long-term sufficiency and reducing reliance on out-of-borough placements, the plan also offers a reduction in SEND transport costs to these out-of-borough placements. 

Alternative options considered

The option to continue to place students with SEND to another out-of-borough site was rejected due to a strong preference for local provision, ensuring continuity and accessibility for the student and their family, in line with the SEND sufficiency strategy ‘we are investing in local provision so that children can thrive in their own communities, close to home’.