Decision details

Permission to publish statutory notices for the proposals to expand provision in 2014 and permission to consult on proposals to expand primary provision in 2015.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report outlining proposals which were designed to meet the local authority’s duty to ensure sufficiency of school places. The report was divided into two parts: Part A detailed the outcomes from the public consultation exercise on the expansion of primary provision across the city for September 2014, and made recommendations for the next steps for each of the proposals, whilst Part B sought the Board’s permission to commence a public consultation exercise upon the proposals for the expansion of primary provision in the city from September 2015.

With regard to the proposals, Members highlighted the considerable demand being placed on specific schools highlighted within the submitted report.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, reassurance was provided in respect of the timescales by which proposals addressing primary provision in Farnley would be submitted to the Board.

Members commented upon the Council’s Schools Admissions Policy, specifically regarding the way in which the distance between an individual’s home and school was measured, and whether consideration was given to transport barriers between an individual’s home and school. In response, reassurance was provided that work was currently being undertaken on the Policy to ensure that it was as clear and accessible as possible.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Allerton Bywater Primary School from a capacity of 210 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 30 to 60 with effect from September 2014, be approved.

(b)  That the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Asquith Primary School from a capacity of 210 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 30 to 60 with effect from September 2014, be approved.

(c)  That the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Morley St Francis Catholic Primary School from a capacity of 154 pupils to 210 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 22 to 30 with effect from September 2014, be approved.

(d)  That the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of East Ardsley Primary School from a capacity of 315 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 45 to 60 with effect from September 2014, be approved.

(e)  That the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Robin Hood Primary School from a capacity of 315 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 45 to 60 with effect from September 2014, be approved.

(f)  That the publication of a statutory notice to lower the age range of Hollybush Primary School from 5 to 11 to 3 to 11, be approved.

(g)  That permission be given to consult upon the expansion of Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School from a capacity of 315 pupils to 420 pupils with an increase in the admission number from 45 to 60 with effect from September 2015;

(h)  That permission be given to consult upon a linked proposal to expand Guiseley Infant and Nursery School from a capacity of 270 pupils to 420 pupils and raise the age range from 3 to 7 to 3 to 11 with effect from September 2015;

(i)  That permission be given to consult upon a linked proposal to expand St Oswald’s Church of England Junior School from a capacity of 360 pupils to 420 pupils and lower the age range from 7 to 11 to 5 to 11 with effect from September 2015.

The report will summarise the formal statutory consultation period held 25 February to 29 March 2013 with prescribed consultees and other local stakeholders. This includes area committees and all ward Members city wide. The report requests permission to consult on further proposals for September 2015 in the Pudsey and Guiseley / Rawdon wards.