Decision - Expansion of Davigdor Infant School and Somerhill Junior School

To seek approval to expand Davigdor Infant School by one form of Entry from September 2010 and to expand Somerhill Junior School by one form of entry from September 2011.

1.       That the permanent expansion of Davigdor Infant school by one form of entry with effect from September 2010, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed.

2.       That the permanent expansion of Somerhill Junior school by one form of entry with effect from September 2011, and the subsequent enlargement of the premises, be agreed. 

3.       That the statutory notices in relation to points (1) and (2) above be confirmed.

1.       Over the last few years there has been year on year growth in the number of pre-school age children registered with General Practice (GP) Surgeries in the city.  This increase seems particularly acute in the area of the city served by Davigdor Infant School.  It is anticipated that this situation is going to continue.  Information on GP registration data shows that the number of children registered in this part of the city has increased from 150 in 1999 / 2000 to 350 in 2006/2007.

2.       The council has a statutory duty to provide a maintained school place for any child that wants one.  We are committed to working with schools to make them centres for community learning, and supporting them in meeting the wider needs of the community by engaging social services, health, the police, and the voluntary sector.  For this to be successful it is important that children can access a primary school that is local to their home.

3.       Expanding both schools by one form of entry (an additional 30 places each year) will ensure that more families can access their local school.  This means that children will be able to attend school with friends that they have made prior to starting school, parents will not have to travel long distances to deliver their children to school and extended services offered by the schools can be tailored to meet the needs of the whole community.

4.       The schools are covered by the Councils admissions arrangements which strives to provide truly local schools which serves its most immediate community and assists in the aspirations of the Local Authority in terms of green travel arrangements.

5.       Capital is available under the Primary Capital Programme to implement the necessary changes to the school.  A scheme has been designed that will enable the school to accommodate the additional pupils and also provides enhancements to disability access, pupil safety and school catering arrangements.

The alternative option would be to leave Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior schools as three form entry Schools. This is not considered as acceptable since it will not address the need to provide local school places where they are needed within the city.