Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Education Transformation Manager.

The Education Transformation Manager presented the report which provided Members with the opportunity to scrutinise the management of pupil places focussing on both processes and outcomes.

In response to a Member’s question regarding capacity issues and pupil projections in special schools, the Education Transformation Manager said that the Inclusion team would look at capacity in special schools re pupil projections.  There had been significant demand for places at the special school and work was being undertaken on the consultation document for expansion to accommodate pupil numbers.

The Member requested that information regarding the special school be added to future reports for Members consideration.  The Education Transformation Manager said a report would be included in the forward work programme and information on the special school would be included in future reporting.

The Committee AGREED this course of action.

Another Member enquired how the Education Transformation team would address surplus places.  The Education Transformation Manager said that work on the reduction of surplus places action plan was being developed for schools and the team would look at projected pupil numbers on current trends, explore teaching arrangements, look at pupil population figures in future years and introduce short term measures to monitor pupil numbers. 

The Education team work closely with schools to monitor capacity in line with projections and focused on what was needed for that particular school.  The team would look at self-help for schools to manage their spaces more efficiently.

A Member enquired if the team received information from the Planning Department in relation to new residential developments.  The Education Transformation Manager said that the team looked at current approved developments and projected proposals and would incorporate approved developments into the team’s projections.

The Committee FURTHER AGREED to recommend, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and endorse Option 2, namely that the Scrutiny Committee considered the report and provided comments relating to improvements that can be made to the current monitoring processes.