Agenda item

Proposal to expand the capacity at Athena School, Lincoln from 72 to 104 (final decision)

(To receive a report from Heather Sandy, Interim Director – Education, which invites the Committee to consider the proposal to expand the capacity at Athena School, Lincoln from 72 to 104, which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 1 November 2019)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Heather Sandy, Interim Director, Education, which invited the Committee to consider the proposal to expand the capacity at Athena School, Lincoln from 72 to 104 (final decision), which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 1 November 2019.

 

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability and Matthew Clayton, Admission and Education Provision Manager.

 

Attached at Appendix 1 to the report was a copy of the Executive report and associated Appendices.

 

The Committee noted that the Local Authority (LA) was co-ordinating the process following statutory guidelines published in the Department for Education (DfE) guide 'Making prescribed alterations' to maintained schools.  The Committee noted further that on the 5 June 2019, a four week period of consultation had commenced, which had closed on 3 July 2019, details of which were shown in Appendix A to Appendix 1 of the report.  It was highlighted that following consultation, a decision had been taken on 22 July 2019 to publish a Statutory Notice on 8 August 2019, which had initiated a four week Representation Period up to 5 September 2019.  It was highlighted further that the process was now entering the final stage when the LA as decision maker, had to take the final decision regarding the proposal within two months from the end of the Representation Period (by 5 November 2019).

 

It was highlighted to the Committee that in September 2018, Athena School was virtually at capacity at the beginning of the school term with 71 children on roll, and over-capacity with 75 on roll during the school year.  It was highlighted further that the proposal being consulted on was to permanently expand the capacity of the school by incorporating the former St Christopher's Annex on the adjacent site with some remodelling and refurbishment of the existing buildings.  Appendix E to Appendix 1 provided some indicative plans for the Committee to consider.  The Committee noted that if the plans were to proceed, the school would be able to offer up to 32 additional places above their current capacity of 72, to a new capacity of 104.  It was noted further that if the proposal was to be approved, it was proposed that building works would begin later in 2019.  

 

The Committee was advised that the increase in numbers would ensure that the provision of school places was planned to promote high educational standards, enable fair access to educational opportunity for every child and promote the fulfilment of each child's potential.  The proposal would also provide an opportunity to extend and enhance further the already excellent provision in place at Athena School to benefit more children, not just the additional pupils but the ones that were already on roll.  It would also enable the LA to fulfil its statutory duty of ensuring that there were sufficient places to accommodate all pupils of statutory school age in Lincolnshire.

 

The Committee extended strong support for the recommendations on the basis that it represented a value for money solution to the demand for additional Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) places at key stages three and four in Lincolnshire area.

 

The Committee also noted that it was unlikely that a planning application would be required for the building works, with the exception of the planned installation of a three metre fence to safeguard pupils at the school, which was a particular requirement given that the site was adjacent to the A15 (South Park Avenue, Lincoln).  The Committee also accepted the rationale for the height of the fencing and agreed to highlight to the Executive Councillor the need for sensitivity over its installation.

 

During discussion, the Committee sought clarification on several points, which included:-

 

·         Phasing of the Building Works – That some internal works were likely to be undertaken during 2019, but most of the building works would be undertaken in early 2020;

·         Transition Planning – Most, but not all, primary aged pupils at the Fortuna School would transfer to Athena School at secondary age; this was dependent on their needs; and that transition planning for all pupils would begin in year 5; and

·         Admission of Additional Pupils – It was noted that additional pupils would be admitted to the Athena School over a period of time, probably two terms.

 

In conclusion, the Committee strongly supported the planned expansion of Athena School, but sought further information on several specific details, such as the capital funding required; and on how much would be saved by placing pupils locally as opposed to independent or out-of-county placements.  It was agreed that a briefing paper would be prepared for consideration at a later date.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee strongly supported the recommendations as detailed in the report, on the basis that they represented a value for money solution to the demand for additional SEMH places at key stages three and four in the Lincoln area.

 

2.      That the comments as detailed above be passed to the Executive Councillor Adult Care, Health and Children's Services to take into consideration prior to making a decision on 1 November 2019.

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