Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 28, 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the draft Education Estates Strategy for the next three years: 2025 - 2028, including to determine the proposed Admission Arrangements for Croydon’s community schools for the 2027/28 academic year.   It is a statutory requirement for the admission arrangements for entry in September 2027 to be determined by 28 February 2026.

Content: For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices, the Executive Mayor and Cabinet RESOLVED to:   Early Years 2,1 agree the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025 which measures the demand for, and supply of childcare across the borough (Appendix 1).   School Admission 2.2 agree the proposed Admission Arrangements for Croydon’s community schools for 2027/28 academic year (Appendix 2a).   2.3 agree the continued adoption of the proposed Pan London scheme for co-ordination of admissions to Reception and Junior schools (Appendix 2a); and adoption of the proposed Pan London scheme for co-ordination of admissions to secondary schools (Appendix 2b).   Education Capital Budget 2.4 agree the proposed Education Capital Budget (Appendix 3).   School Maintenance and Compliance 2.5 agree the proposed Schools’ Maintenance Plan (Appendix 4) with an overall budget cost of £3.9m for 2026/27 and £2.2m for 2027/28.   2.6 agree to delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Children, Young People and Education to vary the proposed Schools’ Maintenance Plan to reflect actual prices and new urgent issues that may arise, including authorising spend against the allowance for emergency and reactive works, in consultation with the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for CYPE.