Issue - meetings

This report considers the options for providingadditional primary school places in the Micklegate area of York. This follows agreement at the last Executive meeting to initiate a further period of options appraisals and the organisation of an informal consultation with parents and the local community. 

Resolved:   (i)     That Executive approve the recommendation to expand Scarcroft Primary School as the preferred option foradding additional primary school places in the Micklegate area;

  (ii)      That, following more detailed analysis of the feasibility studies and discussions with the school’s governing body a report will be presented to the April Executive meeting with information on the adaptations required to the school and outdoor space to accommodate additional pupil places.

Reason:     Whilst the LA supports proposed changes to Scarcroft Primary School’s building and outdoor spaces, furthertime is required to receive and analyse that information before a preferred recommendation can be put forward.

Consideration was given to a report which examined options for providing additional school places in the Micklegate area of York. This followed a consistent rise in demand for both Knavesmire and Scarcroft schools and, in particular, as future projections had shown that an additional 41 primary places would be required in the area by September 2017. 

Officers presented details of the feedback received following consultation undertaken on the following options, some of which had put forward by residents during the extended consultation period. An analysis of each was set out in the report:

(a)     provide no additional places in the Micklegate area

(b)    seek additional feasibility studies to accommodate additional pupils in the existing Scarcroft Primary school building and look at options for providing outdoor spaces

(c)    consider the option of a city-wide Creative Arts Academy which would be a free school as part of the Ebor Multi-Academy Trust

(d)    build accommodation for 210 (1 form entry each year) additional places, as an annex to Scarcroft Primary on the Millthorpe School site

(e)    build a 210 (1 form entry) place primary school on the former Terry’s Car Park site at Nun Ings

(f)     build a 315 (1.5 form entry) place school on land behind The Grove and The Square off Tadcaster Road

(g)    build a 630 (3 form entry) place school at either Bishopthorpe Infant or Archbishop of York CE Junior school sites

(h)              exploration of other site options:

(i)     build a school on Little Knavesmire

(j)     build on the allotments adjacent to Millthorpe School

(k)    build on the former Askham Bar Park & Ride site

(l)     build on Nunnery Lane car park

It was noted that options (b), (c) and (d) were either currently under consideration or further information was awaited and that options (e) to (h) had been rejected for the reasons set out in the report.

The Executive Member thanked Officers and, in particular Ward Members for their work and assistance at meetings and expressed her support for an extension of time to enable a through analysis to be undertaken of the options.

Resolved: (i)       That Executive approve the recommendation to seek additional feasibility studies to expand Scarcroft Primary School as the preferred option foradding additional primary school places in the Micklegate area;

(ii)        That, following more detailed analysis of the feasibility studies and discussions with the school’s governing body a report will be presented to the April Executive meeting with information on the adaptations required to the school and outdoor space to accommodate additional pupil places. ^1.

Reason:     Whilst the LA supports proposed changes to Scarcroft Primary School’s building and outdoor spaces, furthertime is required to receive and analyse that information before a preferred recommendation can be put forward.