Decision details

Award of Contract for the expansion of Oakdale Primary School from 1FE to 2FE, including the approval of property, legal and financial arrangements for various enabling agreements with third parties

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide school places.  There are significant pressures on the city to provide school places in the areas most in need.  The decision to expand Oakdale Primary School was made by the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and University following review of demographic data as part of the School Organisation Plan 2015-2020. (updated 2016)

As a result of the above, Oakdale Primary School is expanding to two forms of entry. The proposed scheme will:

-           Provide 8 new classrooms

-           Re-locate the car parking at the school to maximise the number of spaces available

-           Re-locate the administration area of the school to include office space for administrational staff and senior staff and create a new entrance to the school

-           Create a corridor which links the existing buildings internally to the new block

-           Refurbishment works to 4 classrooms

The following options were considered and rejected:

To do nothing – this option was rejected due to the shortage of primary pupil places in the area and the Local Authority’s statutory duty to provide sufficient school places.

Other schools within the area were considered for expansion but rejected by the Children’s Services Capital Projects Board, as demographic data demonstrates the need for expansion in the area of Oakdale Primary School.  Further, local schools at Southfields and St Michaels were expanded in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Heritage Park Primary School is not able to be expanded due to land constraints.

To tender to the construction market for a contractor – this option was rejected due to the timescales and costs of the tender process which would have meant that it would not be possible to complete the works in order for the accommodation to be available for September 2018.

None

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/nurseries-and-childcare/childcare-sufficiency/

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/upload/www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/jobs-and-careers/schools-and-education/SchoolOrganisationPlan-November2015Revision.pdf

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/upload/www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/schools-and-education/PCCSchoolOrganisationPlan2017.pdf