Decision details

The Council is the Strategic Commissioner of Education Provision in Stockport. This report sets out how we will carry out our responsibility, in line with the commitments made in the One Stockport Borough Plan to ensure there are sufficient places in good and improving local inclusive schools at the heart of the community that children and families want to go to. This means having the right number of school places, in the right place, at the right time to meet demand. The school investment plan aims to secure an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, secure and stimulating learning environment, which is sustainable and provides value for money, is fit for current and future needs and reduces environmental impact.

Stockport’s physical and socioeconomic landscape is changing. Our local plan, robust intelligence and data can lead us to recommendations of investment that consider sufficiency through the 3 key influencers that will help achieve our ambition of good and improving local schools.

Fundamentally we lack the funding we require to do everything we’d aspire to do so therefore we must target our resources to ensure greatest benefits across the school estate delivering a better offer for local families.

Increased focus on inclusion and SEND is required to ensure pupils thrive but within a sustainable public budget which has influenced the decisions to prioritise spend in areas of need and expand out differentiated learning offers in line with growing need.

Members are asked to consider the report, and agree the terms outlined in the strategy and the associated investment plan outlined in the Asset Management Plan.

Schools and ward members will be consulted as part of any capital projects considered. Any significant changes to the school estate require formal, public consultation that will be carried out as required.