Agenda item

The Panel received a report which provided an update on current school expansion projects, the latest pupil projections and proposals for meeting future demand, as set out in the School Places Strategy 2018-23.

The Principle Asset Manager outlined the content of the report and highlighted that both birth data and inward migration to Slough influenced place planning. Schools were currently accepting pupils over the planned admission numbers.

A Member expressed concern in relation to Special Educational Needs (SEN) and the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) stating that good practice guidance indicated that children with SEN should not be placed in a school with a PRU as it could be damaging to their health and wellbeing. This was also contrary to the Council’s five year plan. In response, the Panel was advised that Haybrook College had at least six facilities in different buildings and SEN pupils were not in the same classes as those from the PRU. However, some classes may currently be combined in Littledown School but the new Mila Centre will remove the need for such integration.

The Panel considered the intake of Slough students by both Langley Grammar and Slough Grammar Schools and questioned whether any priority was given to Slough pupils. The officer responded that Cabinet had focussed on this issue in 2014 and that Langley Grammar school was currently accepting an additional thirty pupils from Slough. In contrast, the Council did not provide Slough Grammar School with funding as it had not given preference to Slough pupils. Members requested details of the percentage of Slough children in each of the borough’s grammar schools.

The Panel questioned whether there was adequate provision of school places given the new housing developments and regeneration in the area and sought reassurance that the number likely to be required in the future had not been underestimated. The officer advised that previous experience as well as the results of a detailed survey of 500 properties every five years was built in to the forecast figures. He undertook to raise Members concerns with the Director of Children, Learning and Skills.

The Panel noted that some schools appeared to be oversubscribed whilst others were undersubscribed. Whilst this may be due to popularity of certain schools with parents/carers, Members indicated that it would be useful to have a discussion on the reasons for this at a future meeting.

Resolved:  That the School Places Strategy 2019-23 and the principles for managing school places set out within the Strategy be noted.