Decision details

This report updates Cabinet on progress with the implementation and development of the Schools Organisation Strategy presented to Members on 5th March 2012. It outlines the effectiveness of the strategy to date in addressing pressure on places and proposes further solutions for future admissions issues. This report also seeks approval for capital funding decisions to schools.

That the schemes listed below to support the development of the place planning element of the School Organisation Strategy as set out in the report agreed by Cabinet on 5 March 2012, be approved:

Community and Voluntary Aided Schools

1.     That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Children’s Services, to agree disbursement of resources, as required by design  development, to progress the following schemes to expand provision in line with the additional feasibility work approved by Cabinet on 5 March 2012 up to the cash limits below:

         1.1          Pope John Primary: £4.5 million;

1.2          St. Stephen’s Primary; £3.7 million

1.3          St Stephens additional land purchase £1.7 million

2.     That £50,000 be allocated to William Morris Sixth Form College to fund a feasibility study to inform decisions on further funding allocation  in relation to increasing capacity;

Academy, Trust and Free Schools:

3.     That £50,000 be allocated to Sacred Heart High School to fund a feasibility study to inform decisions on further funding allocation in relation to the possibilities of expansion by 1 form of entry;

4.     That up to £6 million, pending tender returns, be allocated to Lady Margaret Secondary School to fund 1 form of entry expansion proposals;

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Children’s Services, to agree disbursement of resources, as required by design development, up to a cash limit of £4.5 million, to progress the Burlington Danes creation of primary aged provision as set out in this report.

Proposed New Schools of Choice Schemes:

6.     That in order to ensure that provision is both sufficient and of the highest possible quality, following the recent bidding process and in compliance with Schools of Choice priorities articulated in the report to Cabinet on 5 March 2012, approval be given to:

Community and Aided Schools:

6.1   An allocation of £77,500 to Addison School to improve reception class free flow arrangements and upgrade toilet provision;

6.2.  An allocation of £40,000 to Brackenbury Primary School to upgrade ICT teaching and learning provision;

6.3.  An allocation of £50,000 to The Bridge Academy to fund a feasibility study concerning possible new accommodation;

6.4.  An allocation of £176,000 to Fulham Primary School to improve the teaching and learning environment in some classrooms and in the halls and to upgrade toilets;

6.5.  An allocation of £440,000 to Jack Tizard School to develop food technology and  sensory areas and upgrade specialist lift provision;

6.6.  An allocation of £100,000 to St John’s, Walham Green, Church of England  Primary School to improve the outdoor learning environment;

6.7.  An allocation of £223,000 to St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School for works to include a feasibility study to inform decisions on further funding allocation  to rationalise accommodation;

6.8.  An allocation of £328,000 to The Good Shepherd Primary School to support remodelling to enable effective and appropriate movement of pupils around the school;

6.9.  An allocation of £500,000 to Wormholt Park Primary School to significantly remodel the internal and external infrastructure to create better facilities for learning;

6.10.   An allocation of £60,000 to Fulham College Boys’ School to improve its carbon footprint through more efficient lighting;

6.11.   An allocation of £184,500 to Fulham Cross Girls’ School to improve learning environments, particularly in the ICT area, and to improve the carbon footprint with, for example, solar panels;

6.12.A further allocation of £105,000 to John Betts Primary School to improve access and security at the site.

Academy/Free Schools:

6.13.A contribution of £2,400,000 to The London Oratory School towards a £5 million project to upgrade teaching and learning spaces and improve opportunities for local children;

6.14.An allocation of £500,000 to ARK Bentworth Academy to increase physical capacity at the school due to its constricted facilities;

6.15.An allocation of £117,375 to Burlington Danes Academy for improvements to science facilities.

6.16.An allocation of £299,309 be made to West London Free School to provide rooftop recreation space at Palingswick House subject to planning constraints;

6.17.The delegation of authority to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Children’s Services, to agree disbursement of resources, within the overall cash envelope, for all proposed new Schools of Choice schemes approved by this report as required by design development, up to a cash limit of £4.5 millions, to progress the procurement and delivery of the 2012/13 Capital programme.

Other Condition Works:

6.18.That the proposed allocation of resources to the schemes addressing priority condition issues as agreed with the Cabinet  Member for Children’s Services and as outlined in paragraph 9.4 of the report be endorsed, and the delegation of resources to schools as appropriate, be approved.

Adoption of overarching policy:

7.    That the overarching policy to deliver the Council’s ‘Schools of Choice’ agenda as set out in section 4 of the report, be adopted.