Purpose

Wigan Council Education Service has a 5 year service contract with the Progress Schools Group for the provision of education as an independent special school for 30 children and young people.

As the Provision has not met the requirements set out in the contract within this time, to provide a suitable education for our students or to achieve an appropriate judgement through their ofsted inspections, we have not been referring children. The provision currently has approximately 11 young people and we remain concerned about their provision.

This is not good for the pupils or their families, it is not good value for money and it is a real concern in terms of the reputation of the council if we continue to commission this provision for our children.

Progress School have agreed to agree to the termination amicably and we are currently working on the detail in addition to the forward plans for the young people.

Decision

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families:-

(1)     approves the termination of the service contract with Progress Schools Limited and the surrender of the lease for the Lilford Centre Site;

(2)     authorises the Assistant Director – Legal, Governance and Elections to enter into any necessary agreements required to facilitate (1); and

(3)     considers that the decision should be implemented urgently and is therefore not subject to call in.