Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 19, 2025

Purpose: To note the demand for places and agree the resources and the Capital Programme

Content: Noted the projected demand for primary, secondary and post-16 school places in the borough and the proposed arrangements for managing projected trends from 2025/26 and beyond, as detailed in paragraphs 4.32 to 4.67 of the report (see also the Primary School Data Annex as Appendix A of the report).   Noted the projected demand and proposals for meeting the growing demand for specialist places in the borough for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across all phases of education, including post-16 (see paragraphs 4.68 to 4.101 of the report).   Noted the secondary and sixth-form phase of Rowan Wood, the new SEND all-through free school being delivered at Hargood Road SE3 (a former primary school site) for operation in the 2025/26 academic year. To date, the primary phase of the all-through school has not commenced as a site and necessary funding first needed to be identified (see paragraphs 4.84 to 4.87 of the report).   Noted Cabinet’s approval on 15 September 2025 to a multi-year investment plan, which included an outline financial envelope of £24m for the delivery of the primary phase of the SEND all-through school.   Agreed the proposal to use the former Gallions Mount Primary School site on Purrett Road SE18 for the development of the primary phase of Rowan Wood School. This will meet the requirements of the funding agreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and Compass Partnership of Schools (the approved provider of Rowan Wood All-Through School) and help the local authority meet its statutory duty to provide sufficiency SEND places (see paragraph 4.86 of the report).   Further to the paragraph above, delegated to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Lead Member for Children and Young People, Director of Children’s Services, Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Director of Finance, the authority to negotiate and agree the specific terms for transferring the former Gallions Mount site under a 125-year academy lease at peppercorn rent to Compass Partnership of Schools in line with all relevant statutory requirements as set out by the DfE (see paragraph 4.86 of the report).   Further to Cabinet’s decision on 15 November 2023 to delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Lead Member for Children and Young People, to appoint a suitable provider for the new Transition Learning Centre (TLC) for young people aged 19–25 at Bexley Road SE9, agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Place and Growth, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Director of Children’s Services, and Director of Health and Adult Services to negotiate and agree the terms of all necessary agreements including the lease and/or the contract with the appointed provider to enable the delivery of the TLC as set out under paragraphs 4.88 to 4.96 of the report.   Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, agreed to delegate to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Director of Finance, and Lead Member for Children and Young People, the authority to negotiate and agree the specific terms for a land swap relating to the former Children’s Centre and vacant premises manager’s house at Greenacres Primary School under the 125-year academy lease at a peppercorn rent to Maritime Academy Trust in line with all relevant statutory requirements (see paragraphs 4.98 to 4.99 of the report).   Subject to any necessary consultation with the Schools’ Forum, delegated to the Director of Children’s Services and Director Place and Growth the authority to vary the School Capital Programme, in consultation with the relevant Lead Members, as may be required to address future needs within the agreed level of resources.