Agenda item

(To receive a report from Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager, Special School Strategy, Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability and Dave Pennington, Head of Property, which provides the Committee with an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy, approved by the Executive on 6 November 2018)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which set out the progress made in Year Three of the strategic implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy.

The Chairman invited Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager – Special School Strategy, and Dave Pennington, Head of Property Development, to present the item to the Committee.  It was noted that Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of SEND, was in also attendance for this item.

The Committee was advised that the strategy would make significant changes to the existing special school education provision, creating an integrated and sustainable school system where pupils would be able to attend their nearest school, confident that their education and health needs would be fully met.

It was reported that the Building Schools of Specialist Provision Strategy had commenced implementation in 2019 and that it was a five-year strategy with the final all needs schools due to be ready to meet all needs in 2024.

The Committee was advised that implementation was well underway, but it was highlighted that at the moment, there were a number of factors that were making things difficult for the construction industry as well as the economy as a whole.  It was highlighted that it was difficult to get material onto sites either from abroad or the UK.  Details relating to supply chain issues were shown on pages 16 and 17 of the report in paragraphs 1.1 to 1.9.

It was highlighted that the Programme Team continued to monitor the risks associated with the volatility in the construction supply chain and that this was reported through governance structures on a monthly basis.

The Committee received an update on all the capital schemes.  Progress made on each scheme was detailed in the report presented; and the update was complimented by a series of photographs depicting the progress being made on each of the sites.

In summary, the Committee was advised that:

·       The Boston Endeavour Academy was now completed and had been handed over to the Community Inclusive Trust who had welcomed its first pupils on 6 September 2021;

·       The Bourne Willoughby new block had been completed and had been handed over to the Priory Trust in readiness to welcome its first pupils in September 2021; and that remodelling aspects of the scheme had now started to parts of the original building.  The Committee noted that this had been a modular build and was an example of successful innovation with the supply chain working in a different way to give the best result.  The modular build in this instance was the right construction for the tight site conditions, which made a traditional build difficult and expensive to deliver;

·       Work at the Eresby School, Spilsby was now completed and had been handed over to the David Ross Education Trust, who had welcomed the return of pupils at the start of the September 2021 term; and that contractors were now on the remodelling of the original building.  It was highlighted that this had also been a modular build;

·       At Louth St Bernard's School, Phase 1 works to the residential block had been completed and had been handed over to the Lincolnshire Wolds Federation to reopen the facility; and that works continued on the main part of the scheme;

·       At Lincoln St Christopher's School, the Committee noted that planning permission had been granted for both the new primary school building and expansion to the existing site to become secondary provision.  It was noted that construction of the primary school was due to commence in the autumn 2021;

·       Planning permission had been granted for the Priory scheme.  It was noted that enabling works had been completed over the summer holidays; and that the project was due to be completed for August 2022.  It was reported that works to the Garth site were now completed and that existing pupils were now benefitting from the improved accommodation;

·       Works to the Ambergate site were now completed and that pupils were enjoying the much improved facilities. It was noted that works on the new hydrotherapy pool were still at the development stage and that a planning application had been submitted for the pool at the Sandon school site;

·       The scheme at Horncastle St Lawrence had been placed on hold whilst a range of design options were considered.  It was reported that a proposal  to rebuild the school on the existing site had been identified as the preferred option and that a feasibility and design process were due to commence in autumn 2021;

·       The Lincoln St Francis Special school had been put on hold whilst the future of the residential wing was determined; and

·       No works had been undertaken at Gosberton Academy so far.  It was planned to begin engagement in the autumn of 2021 in preparation for the feasibility and design process.

The Committee was advised that progress had been made with the supporting systems to ensure that children and young people with SEND received the very best education they could in the new buildings.  It was highlighted that significant progress had been made with the special school reorganisation policy, which would ensure that all schools received fair and equitable funding to be able to deliver special education provision.

It was highlighted that a work force development work stream had designed the SEND Learning Platform, a sector–led training model for professional development, which would ensure that all pupils with SEND could access a quality education, facilitated by skilled and knowledgeable staff.  It was noted that this was currently at the procurement stage and was set to be launched in the spring 2022.

It was reported that the health offer enabled Children with SEND to receive the health care needs from visiting professionals within the school setting, as each school had dedicated medical and physiotherapy space.

It was also highlighted that all special schools had signed up to the specialist equipment contract, which offered value for money for accessing specialist equipment; and that the prototype of the specialist community led panel had been launched in July 2021 at the Boston and South Holland locality.  So far the panel had reviewed the case of two young people who were at risk of being place in an independent non-maintained special school; if a local special school could not be found.  Both cases had been resolved by the panel, with a successful outcome, with the pupils being educated at their local special school.  It was noted that there would be a phased roll-out of the panels across all localities.

During consideration of the report, the Committee raised the following comments:

·       Further information was sought with regard to building methodology for the modular buildings; and whether there was to be any residential provision at any of the sites.  The Committee was advised that the modules were made in the UK and that the whole unit was then delivered to the site. A question was asked whether modular units would continue to be used for other projects.  The Committee was advised that each project was assessed on its merit, as each site was unique and had its own challenges; and as a result the right solution was achieved for each site.  It was noted that some units needed brickwork underneath the units, but others came with cladding that looked like brickwork.  Confirmation was given that there was no residential provision on site, however, at the Louth St Bernard's site there would be provision for short breaks for families.  Confirmation was also given that that each site had new robust Harris fencing installed and that all schools had CCTV;

·       Clarity was sought as to who was responsible for the newly constructed/upgraded buildings once they were completed.  The Committee was advised that some were maintained schools and some were academy trust schools.  With the maintained schools, the council had a statutory duty to maintain the buildings and where the works had been carried out within an academy trust, they would take the sole responsibility for the condition of the school.  The Committee noted that with all the new build facilities, they had a 60 year lifespan and would not require much intervention at all.  It was highlighted that the buildings being upgraded were built in the 1960's and were no longer fit for purpose, with very narrow corridors, limited usable internal space and little outside space.  A further question posed was whether the strategies in the capital build would support the changing practices in the special educational needs environment.  The Committee was advised that the Council had responsibility for ensuring enough places for children and that the demand for special school places had outstripped the current provision.  It was noted that there was a really clear system through central government of how the Council funded the expansion of mainstream schools, but not specialist provision and how extra facilities would be added. It was highlighted that the same systems were not in place for children with SEND.  It was noted that some movement had been seen from central government with regard to this issue;

·       Further information was sought regarding the earlier free school application.  It was reported that the free school application submitted had not been successful.  Some feedback had been received from the Department for Education which was that the Council was already investing quite significantly in its schools already;

·       One member questioned as to how many pupils had now changed schools, to now attend their nearest school to their home.  Unfortunately, officers were unable to provide an exact figure at the meeting but advised that this information would be ascertained.  It was highlighted that there had been some positive feedback  from parents who were now able to access schools closer to home;

·       Whether the St Francis School was going to continue being the designated profound and multiple learning centre.  Confirmation was given that the St Francis School would cater for all needs in the same way as all of the special schools, so that provision would be equitable across the County;

·       Whether the pressures to the construction industry would result in extra cost pressures, and whether there were sufficient contingencies in the budget to cover these.  The Committee was advised that the project had kept to the timeline; and confirmation was given that there might be further costs incurred that were not covered in the original budget, but at the moment this was unknown.  Reassurance was given that the situation was being monitored very carefully; and that every step was being taken to manage within budget.  The Committee noted that the business case for the programme was very strong, particular reference was made to the cost savings from placing children in Lincolnshire and not out of county; and

·       How many children would benefit from the capital programme and whether there had been future proofing built in to the programme.  It was reported that an additional 527 places would be created.  The 527 figure had been based on five year projections, with a 10% flexibility built in; therefore, officers were comfortable with the potential future capacity for special schools.  It was noted that there was currently just over 2,000 children who attended special schools.  The Committee was reminded that there were some young people who were in a special school for a period, who often could be ready to go back into mainstream schools. Part of the transformation and capital programme was that where young people were ready to go back to mainstream education, they would be supported to do so with workforce development.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended congratulations to all officers involved in the capital programme.

RESOLVED

1.      That the progress made in Year 3 of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Together in Lincolnshire Strategy be received and that the comments made by the Committee be noted.

2.      That a further update on Year 4 of implementation be received in October 2022.

(NOTE: The Committee adjourned for a short break at 10.47am and resumed at 11.06am).