Decision details

Final decision on proposals for expansion of school places for 2014.

Further to Minute No. 141 (12^th December 2012), the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report detailing the representations made in response to the publication of the statutory notices for the expansion of Little London Community Primary School, Rufford Park Primary School and Sharp Lane Primary School. In light of the representations made, the report invited the Board to make final decisions on each of the expansions proposed.

The Board noted that the proposal regarding Tranmere Park Primary School had not been progressed, as further work was being carried out in the area in order to determine whether any alternative solutions were available, and that any such matters would be revisited by the Board as and when appropriate.

Responding to a Member’s request, officers undertook to submit a report to a future meeting of the Board which provided the context in respect of the pressures being placed upon the provision of school places throughout the city, together with the long term plans being developed to address such pressures, whilst also providing data illustrating the sources of population growth across Leeds. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposal to expand the physical capacity of Little London Community Primary School from 210 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 90 and with effect from September 2014 on the adjacent site at Oatland Green, be approved.

(b)  That the proposal to expand the physical capacity of Rufford Park Primary School from 210 to 315 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 45 and with effect from September 2014 on its existing site, be approved.

(c)  That the proposal to expand the physical capacity of Sharp Lane Primary School from 420 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 60 to 90 and with effect from September 2014 on its existing site, be approved.

(d)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Board providing the context in respect of the pressures being placed upon the provision of school places throughout the city, together with the long term plans being developed to address such pressures, whilst also providing data illustrating the sources of population growth across Leeds. 

A statutory consultation period was 10 September to 19 October 2012, followed by a statutory notice period 8 February to 8 March 2013. During both ward members and other stakeholders were consulted, and made their views known. The views raised during the statutory notice period form the basis of the report.