Cabinet considered the report that provided projections for future demand for school places identifying future need for primary school places in Maidenhead, and upper school places in Windsor.

The lead member for Housing, Communications and Youth Engagement introduced the report on behalf of the Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health.

He informed that the report provided an update on work done on the school expansions feasibility programme for future demand. This had been carried out to ensure that the borough could expand school provision to meet the expected demand arising from the housing in the Borough Local Plan.

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot made reference to the recent school expansion programme as detailed in table 5 3 and asked why there were differences in cost per pupil.  Cabinet were informed that this was due to the differences between the sites and complex need for providing additional space.  The work undertaken had provided great value for money.

Cllr Price questioned the surplus spaces in the Windsor system and how schools would cope with the reduced income.  Cabinet were informed that as pupil funding was based on October pupil numbers they did have 18 months to make adjustments.  Schools also worked in collaboration with each other or looked at joining multi academy trusts to get better value for money.

Resolved unanimously: that

i)          the outcome of the borough’s school expansions feasibility programme be reported to Cabinet in March 2020, including a prioritisation matrix of options for new school places. 

ii)         specific options be brought to Cabinet for consideration in March 2020 for new school places in:

a.    Maidenhead primary schools.

b.    Windsor upper schools.