Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and University, in consultation with Cllr Seaton, Cabinet Member for Resources and the  Executive Director - Children’s Services ; Executive Director – Strategic Resources and Head of Legal Services:

1. Authorised the construction of an extension and remodelling of existing buildings to accommodate the expansion of Orton Wistow Primary School which shall also include funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all site surveys and project management and technical advisers fees, subject to the school governors obtaining consent pursuant to s77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1988; and

2. Authorised the Executive Director of Children’s Services to award  the construction contract within the approved budget to the contractor representing the best value for money following a tender process.

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide school places.  There are significant pressures across the city, currently these pressures are particularly severe for the younger age groups and will increase year on year as pupils move through the education system.

Orton Wistow was previously extended in 2008 when four classrooms were built to replace existing mobiles.  At this time the hall and kitchen were extended, a courtyard covered over to create a library and other improvement works undertaken.  The extension was designed to facilitate a further extension, which is now required.

Orton Wistow is a popular and successful school and was rated as good at the most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2011.  It currently has an admission number of 45 and accommodates 315 pupils.  The new extension would increase the admission number to 60 and the capacity to 420.

Demographic forecasts show that Orton Wistow will fill to its increased capacity.  It is the catchment school for the East of England Showground development where approximately 330 dwellings are planned.

Orton Wistow has been put forward for expansion because of the development of the East of England Showground which has provided Section 106 funding and will lead to increased pupil numbers in the area.  Other factors include that it is a popular and successful school with a Governing Body that is in favour or expansion and that the previous extension to the school was built to facilitate further expansion.

The following options were considered and rejected:

Not to carry out the works.  This option was rejected because demographic pressures in the city require more school places to be provided.  Orton Wistow has increased its admission number to 60 with effect from September 2013 by using existing accommodation.  The expansion is required to be open by September 2014 to accommodate this larger cohort in Year 1 and a second Reception cohort of 60.

To expand another primary school in the area. This option was rejected because the Section 106 contribution from the East of England Showground development is to be spent at Orton Wistow, the catchment school. Other projects are being developed to increase capacity at other schools, including working with the Education Funding Agency to replace St John’s Church School, Orton Goldhay, with a new two form entry school.

None.

School Organisation Plan 2013-2017.