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0032 2024/25
20/08/2024
Children and Young People
All wards
Approval to consult to increase pupil numbers at Mill Green Special School.
To follow the statutory consultation processes to accommodate additional pupil numbers at Mill Green Special School from the start of the academic year 2024/25 and beyond.
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval to enter into a period of statutory consultation in relation to what is set out in the previous sections of this decision. To progress this proposal the Council will follow the statutory guidance for proposers & decision makers 'making significant changes' ('prescribed alterations') to maintained schools, January 2023. Significant changes include, expansion and increasing pupil numbers by 10% in special schools. This requires the LA to enter into a minimum period of 4 weeks of consultation with young people, parent / carers and key stakeholders. The outcome of the consultation will inform future decision making.
The number of children with additional educational needs is increasing, both at a local level and nationally. As a consequence, there is an increasing demand for special school places for pupils whose needs cannot be met in mainstream schools. Therefore, the reason for the decision is so that the the Council can undertake a 4 week statutory consultation on the proposal to increase pupil places to 190 at Mill Green Special School. Gradually and over a period of time by use of a satellite provision ahead of and leading up to the construction of new classrooms. Mill Green Special School was originally constructed with a capacity of 85 places. The school has subsequently expanded to accommodate additional pupil numbers. Young people attending Mill Green are aged between 14 and 19 years old, in most cases, will have previously attended Lansbury Bridge School until the age of 14 prior to transferring to Mill Green School. The decision to progress the alternative usage and renovation of Parr Library was endorsed by the strategic property group on the 15th January 2024 and further endorsed by Cabinet on the 7th May in respect of the repurposing of the building. A further report will be presented to Cabinet to progress the proposal following the feasibility, design and the award of a contract.
This proposal is to obtain approval to increase pupil numbers at Mill Green School in line with statutory processes. It is also planned to renovate and expand the existing Parr Library Building which is adjacent to the Mill Green site to accommodate the additional pupil numbers referred to in this decision.
The decision to increase capacity maybe be challenged. In order to mitigate this risk the Council will undertake a period of consultation The most significant risk is that without the progression of this proposal the Council will be unable to meet its statutory responsibilities in respect of provision to meet sufficient school places.
There will be a period of consultation. The progression of this proposal will mitigate the risk of not having a sufficient number of places to meet the Council's statutory requirements.
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Please contact Jason Pickett on 01744 671632
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