Cabinet considered the report regarding the outcome of the feasibility study into the potential of future school expansions.

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health informed Cabinet that officers had assessed the feasibility of expanding all schools in the borough, in response to likely increases in demand arising from planned new housing. The report explained the school expansions feasibility programme and highlights some key overall findings. These studies would  be used to underpin development of a strategic school expansion programme.

The Lead Member highlighted that this was a feasibility study of all schools and the possibility of expansion if required and not a programme of work.  The finding of the report would be used to inform future decisions.

The  Director of Children’s Services informed that each feasibility study contained:

·         An overview of the school site and buildings.

·         A comparison of the site and buildings with national guidelines on school spaces.

·         A summary of likely parking and access issues.

·         one or more potential options for school expansions, and a comparison of the resulting site and buildings with the national guidelines.

·         A brief summary of the condition of the school buildings.

This was part of a long term view of managing the school estate especially in light of the emerging Borough Local Plan.  He also highlighted that the study had looked at the future possibility of the Windsor system moving from a three tier to a two tier system.   Although the Royal Borough was not pushing for such a change, it had recognised that a number of schools in Windsor have been considering the future of the system given population growth and finances for small schools.

Across the borough, 45 schools had at least one highly feasible or feasible option for expansion.  If the recommendations in the report were approved then all the studies would be published on the website. 

The projected need for school places came from analysis of the birth rate and data from GP’s .  In September data would be available for projections over the next 3 to 4 years.  It was expected that there would be an increased demand for places in Maidenhead Town Centre. 

The Lead Member for Planning and Maidenhead said that this was an excellent and important piece of work.  The Borough Local Plan was due to be approved and if its implementation was to be successful then the right level of infrastructure was required and this included schools.

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot informed that the report provided well thought out options to expand schools with feasibility studies for all schools.  It was important for residents to see options were available.  With regards to the 3 tier system in Windsor the paper provided options if there was a desire to change the system, although this would be subject to future consultation and reports.

The Lead Member reiterated that with regards to Windsor they were potential options and not decisions.  If any future proposals were to come forward there would be subject to future consultation.  It was always important to look at what was best for children’s education looking at national guidelines and local context. 

Cllr Baldwin asked how much were demand for private school places taken into account and did we communicate with them regarding their intentions.  With regards to new housing he mentioned there was an increase in properties for those over 55 years old and one bedroom properties, he asked how this impacted on forecasts.

Cabinet were informed that with regards to independent school they had to make assumptions about their numbers and feed that into the model.  The assumption was that their numbers remained stable.  With regards to consultation with them it was usual for them to contact local education authorities for information.  With regards to the use of properties there had been an increase in the number of one bedroom properties that also contained families.  Property types and the age of children were fed into the model.

Cllr Tisi asked how schools being academies and free schools impacted upon the work and that in appendix A it mentions Oakfield and the feasibility of remodelling including a private nursery; she asked if there was still a private nursery on the site.  In response Cabinet were informed that the nursery was still private and not part of the plans.  With regards to academies, the council had a statutory duty to make sure there were sufficient school places in a state funded school.  As academies were still state funded they had to be concluded, however we needed the academy trust to agree to any expansion.  

Cllr Price asked about the weightings for the feasibility studies and why they were chosen, for example why have costs and value for money as you would have expected a higher weighting on value for money.  In response Cabinet were informed that DFE guidance and local circumstances following lessons learnt from the last expansion programme were used to set weightings.  Although the main aim is to provide additional spaces we also looked at additional value a project may provide to enhance education as well as looking at future costs benefits such as less maintenance required in the future if additional improvements were made. 

Cllr Brar mentioned schemes 58.59 and 60 on the chart and asked if this would convert an infant school into a primary school if land was available.   In reply Cabinet were informed that as mentioned these are possible options and that if there was a need then we could look at converting the nursery into a primary school.  These were not decisions but options. 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

i)          Places on record its thanks to all schools in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for their help with the school expansion feasibility programme.

ii)         Requests that the feasibility report for each school is published on the Royal Borough’s website.