Issue - decisions

At its meeting on 11 June 2013, the Council’s Executive agreed to publish statutory proposals in relation to changes to Castle Hill High School.

The Executive also agreed to delegate authority for the final decisions to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement) subject to there being no significant objections during the representation period. Statutory proposals were subsequently published followed by a six week representation period. No comments or objections were received in relation to the proposals during the representation period.

The Corporate Director, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, has approved the following statutory proposals, without modification and subject to the grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 31 December 2013:

(1) Transfer Castle Hill High School from its exiting site to the former Offerton School site, The Fairway, Offerton, SK2 5DS from 1 September 2014;

(2) Increase the number of pupil places for 11-16 year old pupils at the school from 160 to 200 from 1 September 2014;

(3) Add 10 additionally resourced places specifically reserved for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder who also present with Learning Difficulties from 1 September 2014;

(4) Change SEN provision at the school to include Severe Learning Difficulties from 1 September 2014;

(5) Extend the age range of the school from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide 24 sixth form places in 2 year groups of 12 from 1 September 2014.

The Executive Meeting considered proposals to improve the education opportunities for students with special educational and complex needs, including the re-location of the Castle Hill School from the Brinnington area to the site of the former Offerton School. The Executive Meeting agreed that

(i)      the outcomes of the consultation exercise in respect of the proposals to relocate Castle Hill School and enhance the educational offer be noted;

(ii)     approval be given to the publication of a statutory notice for the proposed changes to Castle Hill High School, specifically to:

·                re-locate the School from its existing site to the Vernon block of the former Offerton School site;

·                increase provision for 11 to 16 year olds from 160 to 200 places;

·                add 10 additionally resourced places for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder;

·                add 24 sixth form places for 16 to 18 year olds (2 year-groups of 12);

·                change the category of the school’s provision to accurately reflect the needs catered for, i.e., Severe Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

(iii)    the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning and Achievement), be authorised to make the final decision on the proposal, subject to their being no significant objections during the representation period;

(iv)   approval be given to prudential borrowing to finance the scheme as detailed in the report; and

(v)    the incorporation of the Music Service into the newly developed School building be noted.