Decision details

Executive Board is asked to approve the linked proposals to:

·  Raise the age of Elmete wood – BESD SILC (Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre), Elmete Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2LJ from 5 to 11 to 11 to 16 and to expand the capacity of the provision from 150 to 200 places with the expansion of the school’s remit to allow it to offer learning to children without a statement, in the manner of a PRU, with effect for January 2014. The school will operate from additional sites at:

o  Stonegate Road Centre, Stonegate road, Leeds, LS6 4QJ

o  The Burley Park Centre, Cardigan Lane, Leeds, LS4 2LE

o  The Hunslet Gate Centre, Sussex Gardens, Leeds LS10 “LA

o  The Tinshill Centre, Woodnook Drive, Tinshill LS16 6NE

·  Expand the capacity of the West Oaks SEN Specialist School and College – Oakwood Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 3LG from a capacity of 30 pupils aged 4 to 11 to 40 pupils aged 4 to 11 with the expansion of the schools remit to allow it to offer learning to children without a statement, in the manner of a PRU, with effect from January 2014. No new or additional site is required for these changes. The school will make use of its existing premises.

Further to minute 85 of the meeting held 4th September 2013, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a further report on proposals brought forward to meet the local authority’s duty to ensure sufficiency of school places for children with a statement of special educational needs which names behaviour, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) as the principle need. The report detailed the outcome of statutory notices in relation to the expansion of BESD provision for primary and secondary age pupils across the city for January 2014, and sought a final decision on the proposals.

In presenting the report the Executive Member for Children’s Services highlighted the work undertaken to provide the best opportunities for this particular cohort of young people

RESOLVED

a) That approval be given to the linked proposals to:

· raise the age range of Elmete Wood – BESD SILC (Behaviour, Emotional, Social Difficulties Specialist Learning Centre), Elmete Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2LJ from 5 to 11 to 11 to 16 and to expand the capacity of the provision from 150 to 200 places with the expansion of the school’s remit to allow it to offer learning to children without a statement, in the manner of a PRU, with effect from January 2014. The school will operate from additional sites at:

Ø  Stonegate Road Centre, Stonegate Road, Stonegate Road, Leeds, LS6 4QJ

Ø  The Burley Park Centre, Cardigan Lane, Leeds, LS4 2LE

Ø  The Hunslet Gate Centre, Sussex Gardens, Leeds, LS10 2LA, and

Ø  The Tinshill Centre, Woodnook Drive, Tinshill, LS16 6NE, and

· expand the capacity of the West Oaks SEN Specialist School and College –

Oakwood Lane site BESD (Behaviour, Emotional, Social Difficulties) provision, Oakwood Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 3L from a capacity of 30 pupils aged 4 to 11 to 40 pupils aged 4 to 11 with the expansion of the school’s remit to allow it to offer learning to children without a statement, in the manner of a PRU, with effect from January 2014. No new or additional site is required for these changes. The school will make use of its existing premises.

b) To note the implementation date is 1st January 2014 and that the responsible officer is the Head of the Virtual College.

(The matters referred to within this minute were designated as being exempt from Call In due to the critical nature of the date by which a decision must be confirmed following the end of the statutory notice period. The reasons for the urgency of the decisions were detailed within paragraphs 4.5.2 and 4.53 of the submitted report)

The consultation has been managed in accordance with all relevant legislation and local practice. The proposals were advertised widely. The statutory notices described are published in the newspaper, notices placed on the school gates as well as being advertised in the community. Information was also placed on the Leeds City Council website. Ward Members in all wards city wide were formally consulted at the public consultation stage.

All members of the public through statutory notice publication at the schools concerned, in local communities, and in the press.