PART 1 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ITEM NO.A1
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES
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TO CABINET ACTING AS A DECISION MAKER IN RESPECT OF A SCHOOL
ORGANISATION MATTER
ON 12TH JULY 2011
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TITLE: PROPOSAL TO REBUILD AND ENLARGE THE PREMISES OF
MOORSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL, INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF THE
SCHOOL BY 420 PUPILS TO 630.
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that Cabinet:
(i)
approves the publication of the public notice to enlarge the premises of
Moorside Primary School from 210 to 630 pupil capacity, by constructing a
new, replacement school building, to be built its existing playing field, as part
of the BSF Phase 2 Grouped School PFI Scheme; and
(ii)
notes that the proposal will be carried out in a two phased approach which will
provide a Two Form Entry (2FE - 420 place) provision from September 2012
and a Three Form Entry (3FE - 630 place) provision from September 2013.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This report informs Cabinet of the proposal to provide a
new, enlarged building for Moorside Primary School, as part of the BSF Programme.
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
(Available for public inspection)
Background documents for the BSF programme of a non commercial nature can be
accessed at http://www.salford.gov.uk/bsfdocuments.htm
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KEY DECISION:
YES
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: Every Child Matters, Community Plan, Green Space
Strategy and Unitary Development Plan
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EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS: All works and services
provided via the BSF contracts will be undertaken in accordance with relevant
Equality and DDA legislation and guidance.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT: An enlarged Moorside Primary School will
provide the projected number of pupil places required for the communities in the
Swinton area. The enlargement of Moorside Primary School will coincide with the
reduction of secondary pupil places planned for the replacement Moorside High
School facility on the Moorside playing fields (to be undertaken as part of the BSF
Phase 2 programme). Whilst it is recognised that the current Moorside playing field
does not, at present, accommodate two school buildings, it should, however, be
noted that there will be reduction in the overall pupil numbers in the new schools to
be sited on the Moorside playing field.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK: If the enlargement of Moorside Primary fails to take
place, there will be a significant shortfall of pupil places within the area.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING: The replacement of Moorside Primary will be undertaken
as part of the Salford BSF programme which will be funded by Government grant,
City Council revenue contribution, schools budget contributions, third party receipts,
capital receipts, supported and unsupported borrowing.
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Supplied by Tony Hatton, Law and Administration,
Customer and Support Services
The statutory process and timescales for the publication of the notice, objection
period and consideration seem adequate as stated in the report, which is approved
for monitoring purposes.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS not applicable
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OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED: Customer and Support Services,
Sustainable Regeneration
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CONTACT OFFICERS: Sue Wilkinson - Tel: 0161 778 0228.
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Swinton North
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DETAILS (overleaf)
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1.
Background
1.1. At their meeting on 25th May 2011, Cabinet approved the commencement of
the statutory process to consult on the proposal for the enlargement and rebuild
of Moorside Primary School. The proposal will be carried out in a two phased
approach which will provide a Two Form Entry (2FE - 420 place) provision from
September 2012 and a Three Form Entry (3FE - 630 place) provision from
September 2013.
2.
Pupil Numbers
2.1. Over the last three years there has been a significant increase in demand for
primary school places in the Swinton area. In 2010 a reassessment of
projected need was undertaken beyond the original 10 year BSF Outline
Business Case (OBC) pupil place planning assessment of 2006. The current
Business Case for BSF is now based on the projected need for 10 years from
2010-11. Thus, the proposed capacity for Moorside Primary, as opposed to the
current planned capacity, is outlined below:
Primary Pupils
Secondary Pupils
Total
Current capacity
planned
420
1350
1770
Proposed Capacity
630
1050
1680
2.2. On 23 February 2010 Cabinet gave approval for the enlargement of Moorside
primary from a one Form Entry (1FE) -210 to a two Form Entry (2FE) – 420. It
was envisaged at that stage that the requested increased capacity at the school
would ensure that there would be adequate provision to meet projected pupil
demands within the area.
2.3. However, the projected need for 10 years from 2010-11 is now indicating that a
two Form Entry (2FE) 420 place school at Moorside Primary would not meet
the increased demand for places in this area.
2.4. As per the approval by Cabinet on 25th May 2011, the Phase 2 scheme has
been revised to facilitate a smaller replacement high school for Moorside High
and a larger replacement primary school for Moorside Primary.
This
rebalancing of pupil places, which remain all located within the same building
design, means that future provision for this area of Swinton contained in this
single building will have the ability to flex the balance between primary and
secondary provision, according to demographic need. It is proposed that the
Secondary School aspect replaces the existing net capacity of 1050, providing
a 7 form of entry school and that the Primary School becomes a 3 form entry
school with 630 places. This will provide a total of 1680 places for pupils of
statutory school age.
3.
Consultation
3.1. Informal consultation commenced on 8th June 2011 and letters explaining the
proposal and the consultation process were sent to all parents/carers of pupils,
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staff and governors of Moorside Community Primary School, together with
details of how they could take part in the consultation process and make their
views known.
3.2. Separate consultation meetings were held for staff, governors and a drop in
event for parents/carers at Moorside Community Primary School on Monday 20
June 2011. Consultation meetings for staff and governors were minuted by a
Council officer and are attached at appendix 1.
3.3. Approx 7 parents/carers attended the drop in event and a summary of the most
frequently asked questions can be found below.
3.4. The majority of comments that were received during the consultation events
were positive, especially in terms of the opportunities that the campus
arrangement will bring to children in the area.
Comments
raised
during
the
parents/carers consultation event
1. Will the primary children and
secondary children share the same
building
Response to the comment
The rebuild of Moorside Primary will be
part of a campus arrangement with the
new build facility for Moorside High
School. The primary school will have
separate access, entrance and outdoor
play areas.
2. How will the site be accessed
There will be various points of access to
the site – Pedestrian access will be via
Holdsworth Street, Westbrook, Deans
Road and the A580. Visitor and disabled
access via Holdsworth Street and Deans
Road and staff access will be via the
A580.
3. What type of facilities will the primary The new building will offer a state of the
pupils have access to?
art building fir for the 21st century.
The new building which will be part of a
campus arrangement with the new build
facility for Moorside High School will also
allow pupils the opportunity to access a
wider learning environment
4. How will the increase in pupil numbers The management of a school is the
at the school be managed.
responsibility of the Headteacher and
governing body. In respect of this
proposal, the increase in the admission
number is to be undertaken in a phased
approach i.e. the admission number for
KS1 (Reception to Yr 2) in 2013 will be
90 with an admission number of 60 in
KS2 (Yr 3 to Yr 6). The admission
number for KS2 will increase to 90 as the
relevant yr groups move through the
school.
5. Why enlarge the school and will local There has been increased demand for
children be offered a place?
places in the area. Set admissions
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Comments
raised
during
the Response to the comment
parents/carers consultation event
criteria will also apply, one of which is
distance.
6. Will the current Headteacher and staff Yes, this proposal is not for a new school
transfer to the new building.
it’s for the rebuild and enlargement of the
existing Moorside Primary School.
7. Is the authority exploring additional Whilst there are good and well
transport for the area?
established transport infrastructure links
the intention is to build on the current
public transport infrastructure with the
design and solution on site.
4.
Statutory Process and Timescale for the current proposal
Process
1.
3.
4.
5.
5.
Timescale
Report to Cabinet to consider 12 July 2011
outcome
of
consultation
and
authorisation to publish notice.
Publication of statutory notice for 28 July 2011
enlargement.
6 week objection period ends.
8 September 2011
Cabinet as Decision Maker must 13 September 2011
consider
objections
and
representations
received
and
determine the proposal within 2
months of the publication of the
statutory notice.
Recommendations
It is recommended that Cabinet:
(i)
approves the publication of the public notice to enlarge the premises of
Moorside Primary School from 210 to 630 pupil capacity, by constructing a
new, replacement school building, to be built its existing playing field, as part
of the BSF Phase 2 Grouped School PFI Scheme; and
(ii)
notes that the proposal will be carried out in a two phased approach which will
provide a Two Form Entry (2FE - 420 place) provision from September 2012
and a Three Form Entry (3FE - 630 place) provision from September 2013.
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