Decision details

Purpose of Report: This paper provides the Executive with an update on the plans to add additional school places to Scarcroft Primary School after their decision to approve the use of basic need funding to remodel the interior of the school. It was agreed that after a thorough feasibility study the Executive would receive a further paper outlining the options to address the school’s lack of outdoor space. This feasibility study, including a period of public consultation has taken place and this paper will provide information about the options explored and will seek permission to release basic need funding to the South Bank Multi Academy Trust to remodel Scarcroft Primary School to allow it to provide 15 additional school places per year in to reception from September 2017.

The Executive will be asked to agree the preferred option to release basic need funding to Scarcroft Primary School to remodel the interior of the school and to add additional outdoor space by remodelling its car park, allowing space for a mini MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) to be built.

Resolved:     That the Executive agree to approve:

(i)           The expenditure of an estimated £225k of  Basic Need funding to enable Scarcroft Primary School to increase by 0.5 form of entry (15 pupils per year group) to a 2 form of entry (60 pupils per year group).  The funding will cover the cost of making internal refurbishment to the school building to add additional classroom space and other required facilities. 

(ii)          £26k of additional expenditure from Basic Need funding to increase the amount of playing area on the school site (removal of car park spaces).

(iii)        £1m of basic need funding for a full size multi use games area (MUGA) to be located on the Millthorpe Secondary School site with additional parking spaces.  The South Bank Multi Academy Trust has agreed to consult with the local community to determine the most appropriate place to locate these additional facilities on the school site.  The Academy Trust has also agreed that during the school day the MUGA would be available for use by a number of schools in the area including Scarcroft Primary. 

Reason:        To enable the council to meet its statutory duties to provide sufficient school places, it supports the proposed changes to Scarcroft Primary school’s building and the need to create additional outdoor play space.  As from the 1 April 2016 Scarcroft Primary School became part of the South Bank Multi Academy Trust.  This means that although the council remains responsible for ensuring there are enough school places in its area it will be the South Bank Multi-Academy Trust Board who have requested  approval for the increase in the size of the school through the Regional Schools Commissioner.