Agenda item

Ruth Bagley, Chief Executive Slough Borough Council, introduced the report setting out the projected demand for school places over the coming decade and the strategy being developed to answer this demand.

The projected demand predictions were based on birth rate, known pre-school children, known primary school children, and an estimate of growth based on inward migration.  Based on these numbers, the current prediction of demand was that Slough would require 15 forms of entry at primary level and 38 forms of entry atsecondary level by 2021/22. 

There were a number of challenges facing the Local Authority (LA) in providing enough places such as the new free school system and academies which limited the LA’s authority over the system, and the lack of available developable land within the borough’s boundaries.

With the 15 forms of primary entry accommodated within three schools and expansion to existing premises it is hoped that this need can be met.  The expansion of the secondary provision will be more problematic, and it was probable that at some point during the planning period development would need to take place outside of the borough boundary in order to meet the needs of Slough’s population.  It was likely that 2017 onwards would be where need outstripped provision within the borough and the LA would be working to influence the planning of free schools in order to provide some flexibility to the system.

The Panel was pleased to see work was underway to develop a Strategy for dealing with the predicted increase in need.

Resolved – to note the information provided.