The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People committee is scheduled to consider the proposed closure of a nursery school and the education specification for a new special school. The meeting will also address questions from county councillors and receive petitions or public addresses.

Proposed Closure of The Ace Centre Maintained Nursery School

A key item for discussion is the proposed closure of The Ace Centre Maintained Nursery School in Chipping Norton. The report outlines that the nursery has faced significant challenges, including a sustained reduction in pupil numbers, impacting its financial and educational viability. The document details that the school has temporarily closed to children from January 2026, with families having successfully accessed alternative provision. The recommendation is to approve the formal closure of the nursery school at the end of the 2025/2026 academic year, on 31st August 2026. This proposal aligns with the County Council's corporate objective to ensure children get the best start in life, by providing viable, sustainable, and flexible childcare. The report also addresses financial implications, noting that the council will be responsible for the school's deficit at the time of closure.

Didcot Valley Park Special School - Education Specification

The committee will also consider the education specification for a new special school to serve the Didcot area. This new school is intended to cater for children with Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and associated needs. The report highlights that Didcot currently has no special schools, leading to long journeys for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and increased transport costs for the council. The proposal is to approve the specification for this new 120-place school, which is planned to open in 2028, and to launch a competitive process to identify an academy sponsor to run it. This initiative supports the Oxfordshire Local Area SEND Strategy and the SEND Sufficiency Delivery Strategy, aiming to provide sufficient school places and improve outcomes for children with SEND. The report details the proposed curriculum, performance measurement, staffing, and safeguarding arrangements for the new school.

Questions from County Councillors

The meeting will also include a session for questions from County Councillors. Any councillor may submit a question on an item on the agenda, with a limit of two questions per councillor. These questions will be responded to by the appropriate Cabinet Member or officer, and any unanswered questions will receive a written response.

Petitions and Public Address

Members of the public will have the opportunity to speak on an item on the agenda or present a petition. Requests to speak or present a petition must be submitted by specific deadlines prior to the meeting.