Decision - Proposed Expansion of Balfour Junior School

To inform the Cabinet Member of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposed permanent expansion of Balfour junior School by one form of entry from September 2010 and resultant enlargement of the premises.

To provide the Cabinet Member with sufficient information to be able to determine the proposal.

1.       That the statutory notice be confirmed.

2        That the recommendation to permanently expand Balfour Junior School by one form of entry from September 2010, and enlarge the premises accordingly, be approved.

1.       It is recommended that the proposal to expand Balfour Junior School by one form of entry are approved as this will resolve the historical anomaly between the size of the junior school and the adjacent infant school. 

2.       Balfour Junior is a popular and successful school that many parents and carers would choose to send their children to if places were available.  The expansion of this school will assist in meeting this aspiration of parents and carers.

3.        The school provides a range of extended services to the school community, by expanding the school these services will be available locally to a greater number of people.

4.        Brightin & Hove are currently experiencing rising rolls across most part so the city.  The additional form of entry proposed at Balfour Junior School will help meet this increased demand.

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

6.        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.

1.       The alternative option would be to leave Balfour Junior School as a three form entry School.

2.        This is not considered as acceptable since it will not address the anomaly in size between Balfour Infant school and Balfour Junior School.  It will also not address the need to provide school places where they are needed within the city.