From:RogerGough,CabinetMemberforEducationandHealth

Reform

PatrickLeeson,CorporateDirectorofEducationandYoung

People’sServices

To:EducationandYoungPeople’sServicesCabinetCommittee

15December2015

Subject:ProposedchangestoWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchool

(TonbridgeMalling)Decisionnumber:15/00092

Classification:Unrestricted

PastPathwayofPaper: EducationCabinetCommittee–4December2013;FuturePathwayofPaper:CabinetMemberdecision

ElectoralDivisions:MallingRuralNorthEast(PeterHomewood)andTonbridge:(RichardLongandChristopherSmith)

Summary: ThisreportsetsouttheresultsofthepublicconsultationonproposedchangestoWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchool(TonbridgeMalling)

Recommendation(s): TheEducationandYoungPeople’sServicesCabinetCommitteeisaskedtoconsiderandendorseormakerecommendationstotheCabinetMemberforEducationandHealthReformontheproposeddecisionto:

Issueapublicnoticeto:

(i)RelocateWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchooltoasiteadjacenttoHallRoadandexpandthenumberofplacesfrom210to420for1September2017.

And,subjecttononewobjectionstothepublicnotice:-(ii)Implementtheproposalsfor1September2017;

(iii)Allocate£7.95millionfromtheBasicNeedsbudget,whichwillbemetinpart

bythecapitalreceiptfromthecurrentWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSschoolsiteand£4.43millionfromdevelopercontributions;

(iv)AuthorisetheDirectorofPropertyandInfrastructureSupportinconsultationwiththeDirectorofGovernanceandLawtoenterintoanynecessarycontracts/agreementsonbehalfoftheCountyCouncil;and

(v)Authorise the Director of Property and Infrastructure Support to be thenominatedAuthorityRepresentativewithintherelevantagreementsandtoenterintovariationsasenvisagedunderthecontracts.

1.Introduction

1.1 Asthestrategiccommissionerofschoolprovision,theLocalAuthorityhasadutytoensurethattherearesufficientschoolplacesfortheresidentsofKent.Thisdutyappliestospecialschoolprovision,aswellasmainstreamsettings.

TheseproposalsreflectKCC’saspirationstoincreasethenumberofSENschoolplacesacrosstheCounty,assetoutinKent’sCommissioningPlanforEducationProvisioninKent2015-19.

1.2WouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchoolhasrecentlycelebrated150yearsofestablishededucation. Theschoolenvironmentandethosisverydifferentnowto1865butthebasicprincipleofworkinghardtogeteverychildtoreachtheirpotentialisstillaguidingforce.

1.3Theschoolhasgrownsignificantlyoverrecentyearsandisnowover-subscribedandtherollisexpectedtobeunderpressureinthecomingyearsandsothegovernorshavecreatedaproposaltoensureasustainableandpromisingfutureforeducationinthearea.TheGoverningBodyofWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchool,withthesupportoftheDioceseofRochesterapproachedKCCtorequestthattheschoolbeconsideredforrelocationandexpansion.

1.4 TheGoverningBodyofWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSwithKentCountyCouncil(KCC)andtheDioceseofRochesterconsultedontheproposaltorelocatetheschooltoalargersitelocatedapproximately0.65milessouthoftheexistingschoolandatthesametimetoincreasetheschooltotwoformsofentry.

1.5 Itisproposedthattheschoolwouldberebuiltonthisnewsiteasatwoformentryprimaryschoolexpandingfrom210to420schoolplaces;withthepossibilityofincreasingtothreeformsofentryinthelongertermshouldtherebealocalneedforthis.Iftheproposalgoesaheadtheschoolwouldpermanentlyadmitupto60childrenintoYearRfromSeptember2017andinsubsequentyears.

1.6 Thenewschoolsitewouldbesignificantlylargerthanthecurrentoneofferingincreasedoutsidespaceandparkingprovision.ThesitewouldbeacquiredthroughaplanningobligationwiththedevelopersofPetersVillagetothesouthofWouldham;thisdevelopmentwillalsocontributesignificantlytotheconstructionofthenewschoolbuildings;offeringarareopportunityforasuccessfulschooltogainnewmodernfacilitiesonacomfortablysizedsite.ThenewschoolsitesitesbetweenWouldhamVillageandPetersVillageandwillcontinuetoservethepupilsfromWouldhamVillage.

ProposaltoestablishaSatelliteprovisionofRidgeViewSchoolatWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchoolfor48studentswithmoderatetoseverelearningdifficultiesfrom1September2017

1.7KentCountyCouncil’sstrategyforchildrenandyoungpeoplewithspecialeducationalneedsandwhoaredisabled(SEND)identifiedtheneedtoaddcapacity across the county. The SEND Strategy shows how we will becreating209extraplacesinspecialschoolsand164inmainstreamschools.

1.8Further to the successful implementation of Satellite classes of specialschoolslocatedwithinmainstreamschoolsKCCisproposingtoestablishadditionalclassesforRidgeViewSchoolwithintheproposednewlocationoftheWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchoolsite. ItisintendedthattheSatellitehaveitsownaccommodationwhichwillbefullyintegratedintothenewplansforWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSandwilloperateontheRidgeViewSchool

model. PupilswillremainontheroleofRidgeViewschoolsanditwillbestaffedbyRidgeViewSchoolstaffandpupilsattendingthesatellitewillcontinuetohaveaccesstothesupporttheyneed.

1.9TheproposaltoestablishaSatelliteprovisionislinkedtoandcontingentupontherelocationandexpansionofWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS.

1.10WouldhamAllSaintsCEPSisbeingaskedtohostanewSatelliteprovisionforupto48pupilswithmoderatetocomplexlearningdifficulties.TheHeadteacherandGoverningBodyatWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSarehappytohostthesatelliteandareconfidentthatstafffromRidgeViewSchoolwillbringtherelevantexpertiseandskillstomeettheneedsofthechildren,forthebenefitofbothschools.

1.11AnassessmentoftheindividualneedsofthechildwillidentifythattheyaresuitableforSatelliteprovisionatamainstreamschool. Forexample,thosechildrenwhowillbenefitfromhavingsomeopportunitiestojoininmainstreamschoolactivitiesforeithersocialsituationsi.e.lunchtimeclubs,breaksetc.orfortaughtsubjectssuchasMaths,English,PEoranyarearelevanttotheindividualchild.TheHeadteachersandGovernorsatbothschoolswillbeinvitedtotakepartinthediscussionsaboutwhichpupilsaremostappropriateandshouldbeadmitted. AllofthechildrenintheSatellitewillhavemettheentrycriteriaforRidgeViewSchoolandwillbeontherollofRidgeViewSchoolwhilstattendingtheSatellite.

1.12RidgeViewSchoolprovidesoutstandingeducation,asrecognisedbyOfsted.

TheSchoolhasestablishedoutreachserviceswhichsupportallthemainstreamschoolswithintheTonbridgeandMallingDistrict. RidgeViewSchoolisavitalpartofKCC’sstrategyforensuringspecialschoolsareattheheartoftheircommunitiessoenablingmanypupilswithSENtoremainwithintheirlocalmainstreamschool. TocontinuetoprovidethisserviceRidgeViewSchoolmustremainwithintheDistrictofTonbridgeandMalling. TheproposedrelocationandexpansionofRidgeViewSchoolwouldfacilitateanincreasein,andgreaterutilisationof,trainingfacilitiesandsharedresourcestobenefitallschoolswithintheDistrict.

1.13KCCrecognisesthesignificantimportancegiventoparent/carerviewsintheStudentsandFamiliesActreformsofSENandDisabilitieswhichcameintoforcefromSeptember2014andhaslookedtoensuretheyareinvolvedinshaping and influencing strategic decisions thataffecttheir students andyoungpeople.Therefore,weundertookaconsultationwithparentsatRidgeViewSchoolandafullrangeofstakeholdersontheseproposals.

1.14KCC’s statutorydecision making process for the Ridge View Satellite isreferredtoinaseparatereportonproposedalterationstoRidgeViewSchool.

Existingschoolsite

1.15TheRectorandChurchwardensofWouldhamAllSaints’ParishChurch,asTrustees,ownpartoftheWouldhamAllSaintsschoolsite.TheTrusteeswiththesupportoftheRochesterDiocesanBoardofEducationhaveprovidedagreementinprincipletoreinvestthevalueoftheschoolsiteintothenewschoolinexchangeforanunencumberedtransferofthefreeholdtitleoftheequivalentreplacementnewschoolsite. KCCwillseektomaximisethe

potentialfundingthatcancontributetoprovidingthebestpossiblefacilitiesatthenewschool.Thismayincludesomeredevelopmentoftheexistingschoolsite;ifredevelopmentweretoproceedthenthiswouldbesubjecttoseparateconsultationandanyproposalwouldberequiredtomeetwithTonbridgeandMallingBoroughCouncil’splanningapproval.

2.FinancialImplications

2.1KCCisproposingtorelocateandenlargeWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSby30placestakingthePANto60(2FE)fortheSeptember2017intakeandeventuallyatotalcapacityof420places.

a. Capital–Theproposedprojectisfortheexisting1FEschooltoberebuiltasa2FEschoolwiththeinfrastructureforpotentialexpansionto3FEinthefuture.TheproposedschemealsoincorporatesanewSENunitwhichwillbeasatellitehubofRidgeviewSpecialSchoolinTonbridge.TheSENhubconsistsoffourclassrooms,twoforbothKeyStage1andKeyStage2,eachbeingabletoaccommodate8to12pupils.TheproposedsiteisadjacenttoaproposedresidentialdevelopmentnamedPetersVillage.Outlineplanningpermissionwasgrantedonthe10thMay2006consistingoftheformationofdevelopmentplatformsincludingresidentialdevelopmentandamixedusevillagecentre(includingA1,A3,B1communityfacilities).ThenearbyvillageofWouldhamhasitsown1FEprimaryschool,howevertheschoolisonarestrictedsiteandwouldbeunabletocaterfortheincreasedinpopulation.ItisthereforeproposedthattheschoolwouldberelocatedandexpandedonasiteonthenorthernedgeofPetersVillage.Thetotalcostisestimatedtobeintheregionof£7,950,000.ThecostsoftheprojectaretobeallocatedfromtheBasicNeedCapitalBudgetwhichwillbesupplementedbysubstantialDeveloperContributionsandthecapitalreceiptfromtheexistingWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSschoolsite.Thecostsareestimatesandthesemayincreaseastheprojectisdeveloped.Ifthecostoftheprojectisgreaterthan10%theCabinetMemberwillberequiredtotakeafurtherdecisiontoallocatedtheadditionalfunding.

DeveloperAgreement

AgreementhasbeenreachedonHeadsofTermswiththedeveloperTrenport(PetersVillage)LtdtoselltoKCCthesitefora3formentryschoolfor£1,servicedandaccessedviaavehicularbellmouth.

Onthe transfer of the new school all obligations concerning Education

ContributionsandEducationLandassetoutintheMay2006Section106

AgreementwillbecancelledandnewobligationsenteredintotoprovideKCCwithatotalof£4.43millionbytheendof2018.ThepaymentdateshavebeenagreedinprinciplewithTrenport.

b. Revenue

i.TheschoolwillreceiveincreasedfundingthroughtheDelegatedBudgetona'perpupil'basis.

ii. GrowthfundingwillbeprovidedannuallyforthenewReceptionYearclassforthreeyears.Thiswillincludea£6,000contributiontowardsthesetupcostsofeachclass.

iii. ThecostsofthesatelliteunitwouldbemetfromtheDedicatedSchoolsGrant,withfundingbeingprovidedtoRidgeViewSchooltoruntheprovision. AdetailedagreementwillbesetoutinaMemorandumofUnderstanding,whichwillbeagreedandsignedbybothschools.

c. Human–WouldhamAllSaintsCEPSandRidgeViewSchoolwillappointadditionalteachersandsupportstaff,astheschoolsizeincreasesandtheneedarises.

3.IncreasingOpportunities,ImprovingOutcomes:KentCountyCouncil’s

StrategicStatement(2015-2020)PolicyFramework

3.1Theseproposalswillhelptosecureourambition“toensurethatKent’syoungpeoplehaveaccesstotheeducation,workandskillsopportunitiesnecessarytosupportKentbusinesstogrowandbeincreasinglycompetitiveinthenationalandinternationaleconomy”assetoutin‘IncreasingOpportunities,Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-

2020)’

3.2TheseproposalsreflectKCC’saspirationstoincreasethenumberofSENschoolplacesacrosstheCounty,assetoutinKent’sCommissioningPlanforEducationProvisioninKent2015-19.

4.ConsultationOutcomes

4.1Approximately400hardcopiesofthepublicconsultationdocumentwerecirculated,whichincludedaformforwrittenresponses. Theconsultationdocumentwasdistributedtoparents/carers,staffandgovernorsofbothschools,CountyCouncillors,MemberofParliament,theDiocesanAuthorities,locallibraries,ParishCouncils,TonbridgeandMallingBoroughCouncil,andothers. TheconsultationdocumentwaspostedontheKCCwebsiteandthelinktothewebsitewidelycirculated. Anopportunitytosendinwrittenresponsesusingtheresponseform,emailandonlinewasalsoprovided.

4.2Adrop-insessionwasorganisedon14Octoberbetween4.30and6.30pmat

WouldhamAllSaintsCEPS.

4.3Followingtheclosureoftheconsultationperiod31positiveresponseswerereceived,8werenegativeand10wereundecidedbringingthetotalto49responses. Themajorityofresponsesreceivedwerepositiveincludingaresponse from the Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough CouncilindicatingtheBoroughCouncil’sstrategicsupportforthisprojectatthisstage.ThefullresponseandasummaryofallwrittenresponsesareattachedatAppendix1.TheCabinetMemberforEducationandHealthReformhasbeenpassedacopyofthefullsetofresponsesforhisconsideration.

5.Views

5.1TheLocalMembersforMallingRuralNorthEastandTonbridgehavebeenconsultedabouttheseproposals.

5.2TheViewofTraceyCrouchMP,ChathamandAylesford

IamgratefultotheCouncilforgivingmetheopportunitytosubmitaresponseandforengagingwiththelocalcommunitythroughouttheconsultation.

Havingconsideredtheproposals,Iwouldliketoregistermysupportfortherelocationoftheschool.Thecurrentschoolisinneedofrenovationtoaccommodategrowth,dueinnosmallparttotheexcellentprovisionbytheHeadandteachingstaffaswellasgeneralpopulationchanges,butlackscapitalfundingtodoso.

WiththedevelopmentofPetersVillageIbelievethisisanidealopportunitytoexpandaschoolalreadyratedas“Good”byOfstedandthereforewelcometheprospectofnew,modernfacilitiesonapurposebuiltsitethatwillhelpteachingstaffdeliveranoutstandingeducationforlocalchildren.Iamalsoencouragedthatakeypartoftheproposalisforpupilstohavesufficientoutdoorplayspacessuitabletotheirneeds,somethingthatissignificantlylackingatthecurrentschoolsite.

5.3TheViewoftheRochesterDioceseBoardofEducation

TheRochesterDiocesanBoardofEducationhasconsideredtheproposalscarefully.Itwelcomesandsupportstheproposalsforthere-locationandextensionofWouldhamAllSaintsChurchofEnglandPrimarySchool.TheBoardofEducationbelievesthatthisproposalwillprovidetheadditionalschoolplaceswhichwillbemuchneededbythelocalcommunityandatthesametime,willimprovethequalityofeducationalprovisionandfacilitiesforthechildrenalreadyattendingtheschool.

5.2TheViewoftheHeadteacherandGoverningBodyofWouldhamAllSaints

CEPS

WouldhamAllSaintsisveryexcitedabouttheprospectofrelocatingandexpandingthepresentprovisionwithintheWouldhamarea.

Theschoolhasgrownconsiderablyoverthepastfewyearsandisnowoperatingatcapacitywithinthefirstfouryearsofouragerange.Thebuildingisverycrampedinplacesandadditionalspacetodelivereffectiveprovisionisbecominganeverincreasingissue.TheageoftheVictorianbuilding,alongsideasmallnumberofsanitaryfacilities,includingnothavingkitchenfacilities,meanthatthepresentschoolbuildingisinneedofseriouscapitalinvestmenttoensureitisfitforthedemandsofmodern-dayeducation.

Theschoolisalsoverykeentobeinvolvedwithafullyintegratedspecialistprovisionenablingchildrenwithparticularindividualneedstobeabletoshareintheoutstandingfacilitiesthatarebeingproposed.ThiswillseethenewlocationbecomingahubofsupportforschoolswithintheareaandespeciallyforourRivercollaborationgroupwhich,collectively,havealreadyachievedgoodresultsfromcloserworkingintheareaofSpecialEducationalNeeds.

WithexpectedpopulationgrowthaswellasnewtransportlinksacrosstheMedwayValleyweareexpectingdemandforplacestoexceedourcurrentcapacityandsoarepleasedtosupporttheideaofaschooldesignthatmaybefurtherexpandableinthefutureasandwhenrequired.

Traveltoandfromourcurrentsiteisalsobecomingagreaterissueasthenumbersofchildrenrise.Thereisverylimitedopportunityforparkingaroundtheschoolandthenarrowlanesareafrequentcauseofconcernformany

localresidents.Anewsitehastheopportunityforsensibletravelplanningforalltobenefitfrom.

Re-locating will give the opportunity for all of these challenges to beovercomewhilststillretaintheethosoftheschool.

5.4TheViewoftheHeadteacherandGoverningBodyofRidgeViewSchoolRidge View school are very keen to provide a range of educationalexperiencesfortheirpupils. Thedevelopmentofasatelliteprovisionwithinamainstreamprimaryschoolwillbeanexcitingopportunityforpupils. ThepurposebuiltSENenvironmentwithintheschoolwillsupportpupilstoaccessrelevantmainstreamexperienceswhilstalsoprovidingthelevelsofsupportthatthesepupilsrequire.ForstaffandtheleadershipteamitisanopportunitytodevelopprofessionallybybothsharingandgainingskillsandknowledgewithinandbeyondWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS.

5.5TheViewoftheHeadofSENAssessmentandPlacement

EstablishingaprimarysatelliteofRidgeViewSchoolatWouldhamwillincreasetheopportunityforthemostabletobenefitRidgeViewstudentstobenefitfromlearningalongsidechildrenofthesameage.Throughtheirchildren’s individual assessments and discussion about placements, anumberofparentsandcarershaveaskedtheCounciltoprovidethebroadestrangeofprovisionsothattheyhaveachoiceofalocalschool.Theyalsowishtoensurethestaffinthe school have received the training and supportneededtounderstandwhatcanactasabarriertolearning. ThelocationofthesatellitewillmeanthatchildrenfromthefurthestpointofthedistricttoRideViewmaynolongerneedtotravelinordertoaccessspecialistteaching.ThespacewillbeusedbyRidgeViewpupilsandhasbeendesignedwiththeirneedsinmindtoenableflexiblegroupingandsmallerareasforhighlyspecialistinterventionsuchasspeechandlanguagetherapy.ItisenvisagedthatthesatellitewillalsosupportoutreachtootherschoolsthroughtheworkofspecialistteachingandlearningserviceandthelocalinclusionforumLIFT.

5.4TheViewoftheAreaEducationOfficer

TheAreaEducationOfficerforWestKentfullysupportsthisproposaland,havingconsideredothercommissioningoptions,isofthebeliefthatthisisthemostsustainablesolution. Wouldham,AllSaintsCEPShasaninclusiveandwelcomingethos.RidgeViewSchoolisrecognisedforitsexpertiseinprovidingoutreachsupporttomainstreamschools.Thereareclearbenefitstobothschoolsthroughapartnership.

6.Proposal

6.1TheseproposalsaresetoutinaccordancewithSection19oftheEducationand Inspections Act 2006 that Kent County Council intends to makeprescribedalterationstorelocateWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchooltoasiteadjacenttoHallRoadandexpandthenumberofplacesfrom210to420for1

September2017.

6.2TheproposedalterationstoRidgeViewSchoolandWouldham,AllSaints

CEPSaresubjecttoKCCstatutorydecisionmakingprocessandplanning.

6.3An Equality Impact Assessment has been completed as part of theconsultation. TodatenocommentshavebeenreceivedandnochangesarerequiredtotheEqualityImpactAssessment.

6.4TherewillbeanimpactonKCC’spropertyportfoliowiththevalueincreased.

7.DelegationtoOfficers

7.1TheOfficerSchemeofDelegation;underAppendix2part4oftheCouncil’sConstitution,providesaclearandappropriatelinkbetweenthisdecisionandtheactionsneededtoimplementit. Forinformationitisenvisaged,iftheproposalgoesahead,thattheDirectorofPropertyInfrastructureSupportwillsigncontractsonbehalfoftheCountyCouncil.

8.Conclusions

8.1Thisproposalwillcreateanadditional210placesatWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSforstudentsandeventually48SENplacesinlinewithIncreasingOpportunities,ImprovingOutcomes:KentCountyCouncil’sStrategicStatement2015-2020PolicyFramework'andthe'CommissioningPlanforEducation–Kent'(2015–2019).

9.Recommendation(s)

TheEducationandYoungPeople’sServicesCabinetCommitteeisaskedtoconsiderandendorseormakerecommendationstotheCabinetMemberforEducationandHealthReformontheproposeddecisionto:

Issueapublicnoticeto:

(i)RelocateWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchooltoasiteadjacenttoHall

Road and expand the number of places from 210 to 420 for 1

September2017.

And,subjecttonoobjections,notalreadyconsidered,tothepublicnotice:-(ii) Implementtheproposalsaccordingtothedatesidentifiedabove;

(iii)Allocate£7.95millionfromtheBasicNeedsbudget,whichwillbemetin

partbythecapitalreceiptfromthecurrentWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS

schoolsiteand£4.43millionfromdevelopercontributions;

(iv)Authorise the Director of Property and Infrastructure Support inconsultationwiththeDirectorofGovernanceandLawtoenterintoanynecessarycontracts/agreementsonbehalfoftheCountyCouncil;and

(v)AuthorisetheDirectorofPropertyandInfrastructureSupporttobethenominatedAuthorityRepresentativewithintherelevantagreementsandtoenterintovariationsasenvisagedunderthecontracts.

10.BackgroundDocuments

10.1IncreasingOpportunities,ImprovingOutcomes:KentCountyCouncil’sStrategicStatement2015-2020

data/assets/pdf_file/0018/16236/Commissioningplan-for-

education-provision-in-Kent-2015-2019.pdf

10.3ConsultationDocumentandEqualitiesImpactAssessment

10.4StrategyforChildrenYoungPeoplewithSpecialEducationalNeedsandDisabilities

11.ReportAuthor

JaredNehra,AreaEducationOfficer–WestKent

Telephone:03000412209

Email:

12RelevantDirector

KeithAbbott,DirectorofEducationPlanningandAccess

Telephone:03000417008

Email:

Appendix1

Proposalto:

SummaryofWrittenResponses

RelocateWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchooltoasiteadjacenttoHall

Roadandexpandthenumberofplacesfrom210to420for1

September2017.

Consultationdocuments(hardcopies)distributed:approximately400

Responsesreceived:49

Support / Against / Undecided / Total
Parents/Carers / 10 / 2 / 5 / 17
Governors / 2 / 2
MembersofStaff / 11 / 11
OtherInterestedParties / 8 / 6 / 5 / 19
Total / 31 / 8 / 10 / 49

Insupportoftheproposals

Parents/Carers

Agree

Reallyexcitingmovingforwardfortheschool,greaterfacilitiesandopportunitiesforthechildrenandthecommunity.

This would give better low maintenance building and divert funds back toeducation.

Fantasticopportunityfortheschooltogrowandbettermeettheneedsofourchildrenandagrowingcommunity. Wouldliketoseeithaveitsownsportsfieldwhichisessentialaspartofthisdevelopment.

ThechildrenwillbenefitfromtheadditionalfacilitiesandspaceaslongastheexistingWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSethosismaintained.

Itwouldbegreatifafieldisincludedintheplansofthenewschool–shametolosethespace.

JellyBeansisnotincludedinplansforthenewschool,itwouldbegreatifthiscouldmoveintopartoftheoldschool?

JellyBeansPreSchool–betterifspacewithinnewschoolarea–easierforparentstodopickupanddropoffsinthesamegeneralarea.

KeenforthenewschooltomaintaintheconnectionwithAllSaintsChurch.

Hopeschooltripswillcontinuebutwonderifthiswillbeabletohappenwithdoublethechildrenandonly2minibuses.

Wouldliketoseesiblingentryprioritysystemcontinue.

Like to see some improved walkways from Wouldham to the new school.

Currentlythehighstreethasverynarrowpathwaysandthiswillnotbeabletocaterforsomanyfamilieswalkingtoschool.

ConsiderawidepathbuiltthroughtherecreationalgroundandtheoutthroughtheHighStreettoOldfieldDriveneedsaconcreteorsimilarcoveringotherwiseitwillbemuddyinthewintermonthswiththelevelofpeopleusingit.

Importantthattheschoolanditsstaffcancontinuetoservethelocalcommunityformanyyearstocomeanditisobviousthatthecurrentinfantsbuildingwillstruggletodoso.

Aware of children who have not secured a place at the school and it isimportantthatthenewschoolcancaterforthelocalcommunity–increasedintakeisastepintherightdirection.

Adequateparkingforparentstodrop/pickupchildren.

PedestriancrossingrequiredondangerouscorneratHallRoad/HighStreet.

Alargerschoolbetterprepareschildrenforthesizeofasecondaryschoolandmakesitlessscary.

Importantthatparentsarekeptuptodatethroughthewholeprocessaswellasbeinginvitedtogetinvolvedinshapingplansandlayouts.

Staffmustbegivenampletimetosetupnewspacesinordertomakethetransitionforourchildrenassmoothandexcitingaspossible.

MemberofStaff

Agree

ThisistheonlywaytoensurehighqualityprovisionatWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSasitwouldbringuptodateaccommodationandthepotentialforincreasedprovisionwhilstprovidingmorepotentialgrowthinthefuture.

Facilitiesonthecurrentsitearenotabletosustainincreasedpopulationandthere is no capital investment available for improving without providingadditionalplaces. TheschooliscurrentlytheleadschoolfortheRiverCollaborationandtheproposalwillhelpprovideacentralrecoursebaseforworkingwiththeotherschoolsespeciallywiththeinvolvementofRiverSchoolandthespecialistprovisiononsite.

Thisisanamazingopportunityforourschooltohaveapurposebuiltup-to-datebuildinginwhichwecaneducatethechildrenforthefuture. Ourcurrentbuildingisnowherenearbigenoughanymoreandisbeginningtoshowmanysignsofitsage.

Thenewbuildingwillenableourfantasticschooltogofromstrengthtostrength,providinggreaterfacilitiesandteachingopportunities.

Lookingforwardtofantasticfacilitiesforthechildren,insideandoutsidethenewbuilding.Moreopportunitiesforfurtherlearning.

ExcitedbytheplansbutunsureabouttheimpacttheSENUnitwillhaveontherestoftheschool.

HavingworkedattheschoolforconsiderableamountoftimeandwatcheditgrowconsiderablyIthinkawholenewschoolenvironmentcanonlybenefitthechildren.Theethosoftheschoolwillremain. Itisareallyexcitingprospect.

Happy with proposals, look forward to confirmation of details of specialistprovisionandhowitisintegratedintotheschool.

Agreewithproposalsbutwouldliketheschoolnametoremainthesame.

Expansionwouldoffermorespaceandbetterfacilitiesforthechildren.

Ourschooliscontinuingtogroupanddevelop. MoreandmorechildrenandenjoyingtheexcellentallroundeducationofferedbyWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS. Anewlargerschoolwithnewresourcesandspacecanonlybeahugepositivetoallourchildrenandmeanwecanextendourschoolcommunitytonewchildrenandtheirfamilies.

Duetomajorincreaseofhousingandpopulationinthearea,buildinganew,moderncommunityschoolisacceptableratherthanrefurbishingtheexistingschool. Thenewschoolwillbeaccessibletoallthissideoftheriverandacrosstheriverwiththenewbridge.

Concern about the general infrastructure around the area, safe roads,pavements,cycleroutes,doctors,healthcentre,localcommunityshopandpost

Thebudgetneedstoequiptheschoolinsideaswellastheskeletonofbuilding,ICT,meetingroom,quietroom,kitchenoutdoorequipmentetc. Moneyneedstobesecuredforthisprojecttoaccommodateallfinancialcosts.

Governors

Agree

Weneedanewschoolandthisseemstobethebestsolution-tohaveapurposebuiltnewfacility.

Concernaboutwhathappenstotheoldsite.

Concernaboutthesatelliteunit–wholeheartedlyinfavourofAENpupilsbeinginmainstream,however,sizeofsatellite–wouldliketoseeincrementalgrowthto48.

OtherInterestedParties

Agree

Themovewillprovideadditionalspaceforextra-curricularactivitiesandliteracy/numeracysupportgroupstowork.

Extra-curricular activities provide enhancement to an already busycurriculumandcansupportadditionallearning.

ThisproposalwillbeagreatbenefittothechildrenthatwillattendthisnewschoolandwillalsohelptointegratetheexistingvillageofWouldhamandthenewvillage,PetersVillage.

Request that draft plans be shared in advance to planning and thatconsiderationisgiventodrop-offandpickup,lightpollutionandfencing.

Whilstthecurrentschoolisinanideallocationitwouldbeagreatshameifthisopportunityisnottakenforthedevelopmentofavillageschoolandmovingitintothe21stCentury,

ResponsefromNicholasHeslop,LeaderofTonbridgeMallingBorough

Council:

ThankyoufortheopportunitytocommentontheproposalsforanewschoolatWouldham. IamrespondingingeneraltermstotheconsultationfromastrategiccommunityviewpointandIappreciatethattheplanningmatterstodeliverelementsoftheproposalswillbefortheCountyandtheBoroughCouncilstoaddressintheirrespectiverolesasPlanningAuthorities.

IamfamiliarwiththebackgroundtotheproposalsandlinkedtotheprovisionofsomenewandexcellentfacilitiestoreplacethecurrentschoolatWouldhamandtheopportunitytocombinethiswithaddressingtheprimaryeducationneedsarisingfromthenewdevelopmentatPetersVillage. OverallthisstrikesmeasaveryforwardlookingandstrategicallysensiblewayinprovidingforfutureprimaryeducationalneedsinthisareaoftheBoroughanditiscommendablethatthepartiesconcernedhavegraspedthisopportunity.

IamparticularlypleasedthattheinitiativefortheprojecthasarisenfromthehighlyregardedgovernanceandmanagementteaminplaceattheexistingprimaryschoolinWouldhamwhichshouldgivesignificantconfidencetothelocalcommunityinthesuccessoftheprojectandthecontinuedimprovementofprimaryeducationfacilitiesinthislocality. ItisalsoparticularlypleasingtoseetheprospectofsignificantenhancementofeducationfacilitiesrunninginparallelwiththenewdevelopmentatPetersVillage–afundamentalelementofaccommodatinggrowthinlocalareas.

Therewill,Iamsure,bemuchdetailtoconsiderastheprojectmovesforwardandwelookforwardtobeinginvolvedwiththatlocally. AtthisstageIwouldliketoindicatetheBoroughCouncil’sstrategicsupportfortheproposalsandwishsuccesstoallthosewhoarepromotingthescheme.

Undecided/didnotindicatewhetherinsupportoragainst

Parents

NotopposedtotheschoolrelocatingbutnervousaboutitlosingitsidentityandbeingcalledsomethingelseotherthanWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS.

Concernedaboutcurrentschoolsite.

DonotwantWouldhamtomergewithPetersVillageorfornametochange.

Believetheuseoftheterm'adjacenttoHallRd',isadeliberateploybyTrenporttogetaroundthepromisethatthefieldonKnowleRdwouldnotbebuilton,andwouldremainrural,screeningoffthenewestatewithanavenueoftrees.OntopofencouragingtheuseoftheHighSt,(oneofourmainconcernsbeingthepre-schoolinthevillagehallhavingtoenterandleaveviaanunpavedSt)itwillleadtoindiscriminateparking,blockingthemainarterialrouteinandoutofthevillage.Ifanewschoolmustgointhisarea,whatisthematterwiththeplot200metresawayinthepit,whichisdedicatedforaschool.

Whilstnotcategoricallyagainstanewbuilding,havereservationsastowhereitisproposedtobebuilt.Wefoughtagainstthegreenwayonthegroundsthattheincreaseintrafficwillbedetrimentaltothevillage.

OtherInterestedParties

 Itisnotclearthattheschoolneedstomovebutdefertogovernorsintheirjudgementsthattheschoolneedstomoveandincreaseincapacityastheyaremuchclosertothesituation.

 Commentsaboutthefinancialmeritsoftheproposal,inreleasingthepreviouslyidentifiedschoolsitetoTrenport.SuggestionthiswillallowTrenporttobuild100morehomesinPetersVillageandthatthissolutionallowsKCCtoretaincontroloftheschoolratherthanhavingtobuildanacademyasistherequirementforanewschool.

 SupportKCC’sproposalthattheschoolstartsat2FEandisexpandedto3FEinthefuture.PetersVillageisdoublethesizeofWouldham.

 NeedtoimprovetheparkingawayfromthehighstreetbyputtingincarparkattheendofPortlandRoadandbysurfacingandlightingandCCTVfortherecreationcarpark.Thiswillenablelongeryellowlinesforpassingplacesinthehighstreetgivingitahighertrafficcapacity.

 SupporttheideaputforwardbyseveralParishCouncillorstohaveacyclewaythroughtherecreationandacrossthetramway.

 Thepre-schoolwillbeoutofcapacityandneedsanewsiteasdoestheVillage

Hallforitsotherusers.

 Oldschoolsiteshouldberedevelopedandpayforanewvillagehallbuildonthestrategicgapoppositetherecreationground.

Againsttheproposals

Parents

IliveherebecauseIlovethequaintnessofthesmallvillageschool.IfIwantedalargerschoolIwouldliveinatownlikeGravesend.

Avillageschoolisveryattractiveasitmeetstheneedsofpupilsthatalargeschoolwillnot.

Wouldhamwillloseitsidentityandwillmergeintoonetown.

Thisproposalmaybebestfortheschool’sfuturebutnotforWouldhamasavillage.

Commentthatthefamilyaresadaboutthelossoftheschool,suggestaseparatePetersVillageSchoolisbuilt.

Concernsexpressedaboutthelanguageintheconsultationdocument.

ConcernedaboutKCCsintentionsaboutthelandtheschoolsstandson.Donotwantmorehousinginthevillage.Morefacilitiesarerequired.

ConcernedaboutwhatconsiderationhasbeengiventoJellyBeansPreSchool.

VerysoonKentwillloseallofitsruralareasandwillnotbethe‘Gardenof

England’.

ConcernsexpressedaboutthedealmadewithTrenport. Progressisgoodbutnotatthedetrimenttothechildrenwholovetheschool.

Unclearonhowtoaccessthesiteandifallbuildingworkwillbecompletepriortoanyclassesbeingtransferred.

Thetrafficfor400+carsneedstobecarefullymanaged.

WouldliketoknowwhyBorstal,Burham,EcclesAylesfordallgettokeeptheirsmallvillageschools.

Thisproposalwillencouragechildrenfromawidercatchmentarea.

Disruptiontochildren’seducationduetobuildingworkissignificant.

EncourageKCCtolookatWaldersladereportsfrom/during/postthebuildingwork.

In general see the potential but have serious concerns which with properplanningcanbeachieved.

OtherInterestedParties

Against

Althoughagreethatthepresentschoolistoosmallforagrowingcommunitydonotagreewiththeintendedrelocationofthesite.Wewereledtobelievethatthe cornfield was to be left to arable as a definitive hap between us inWouldhamandthenewPetersVillage.

Concernofsizeandnodifferentiationbetweenthetwovillages.

HavenodoubtthatMrFitterwillrisetothechallengebutwouldpreferseparateInfantsandJuniors. BuildaJuniorschoolonthenewplayingfieldstoenablephysicaleducationtogobacktobeingperformedontherecreationalground.

PrefertheoriginalplansforaseparatePetersVillagePrimarySchool.

Concernsaroundparking,pickingdropoffspecificallycrossingKnowleRoad.

Ifschoolexpandsthesenseofcommunityandtogethernesswillbelostwhichsetstheschoolapartfromthesurroundingarea.

Concerned about additional traffic which will be caused by the proposed

SatelliteprovisionatWouldhamCEPS.

Disagreewiththeproposal,moneyshouldbeputintofailingschoolsinordertostoppupilsmigratingtoWouldham,thusfreeingupplacesforlocalchildren.

Childrencomingfromoutofarea,travelbycarwhichisnotgoodfortheenvironment.

Expectwithinacoupleofyearsoftheschoolmovingtheschoolfieldandthenewpartoftheschoolwillbebuilton.

WouldhopethatthebuildingsandfieldwouldbegiftedtotheVillage.ThiswouldprovideforaDrSurgeryandhallforpublicuse. Ifpre-schoolmovedintoalargerspace. Ifthepre-schoolmovedtoSchoolLanetherewouldn’tbeenoughtimetocollectchildrenfromJellybeansthengetthemtoschoolifthefinishtimeremainsthesame.ThiswouldresultinmoremumsusingcarswhichisnotwhatWouldhamneeds.

WouldhamAllSaintsCEPSisveryuniqueandspecial. Theatmosphereissuperb,whereallmembersofstaff,parents,childrenwhoknowandcareforeachother;alsoprofessionalsfromoutsidei.e.pre-schoolandchildmindersknow each other and work together. Many parents come to Wouldhambecauseofthisandthefactitisasmallvillageschool,withanexcellentreputationanditsimportantinthecommunity. Theschoolhasoldvaluesofmannersandbehaviour. Eachchildistreatedasanindividual. WhethertheyhaveproblemsortheyarehighflyersasstatedinitsOfstedreport. Thiswillbelostifitbecomesbiggerormergeswithanothervillage.

AsamemberofthecommunityintheVillagethisproposalhastobetherightthingforthevillageasawholenot,justtheschool.

DonotwanttodeprivechildrenoftheirbestEducation,WouldhamAllSaintsCEPShasbeenuntilnow,outstanding.Thiswouldstillbethecaseiftheschoolwasnotmoving.

IfWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSclosedabigpartofthecommunitywillbelost.

Theyoungerfamiliesyettostartschoolwillnotbeawareofthisbigplan.

Abiggerschoolisnotalwaysbest.

TheheadteacherofWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSandafewgovernorsareforthisproposal. However,itdoesnotmeanthattheywillnotmoveononeday,asallpeopledofortheirowncareers. Butwhenaschoolmovesawayitwouldneverbereplaced. In150years,noonehaseversaidtheschoolneededtoberelocated.

Whymovea150yearheritagefromsuchavillageasWouldham.

Theoldschoolbuildingneedsrepairsowhyhasthelandlordnotkeptitsrepairuptodate?

SmallcommunitieslikeWouldhamVillagethriveonhavingaschoolandchurch.

ThereisonlyonereasonIcanseethatPetersVillagewanttopoachthisschool,tomaketheirhousessellalotbetter.

AllourvillageshavehadtheirownschoolandIwouldlikethistocontinue.TheonlyreasonIcanseeforthisproposalismoney.

Concernedthatthefewremainingpocketsofgreenspacearebeingsuffocatedwithcontinualdevelopment.

DonotfeelthatPetersVillagewarrantsanewschool,withBurhamandEcclesundersubscribedatthemomentandanewschoolopeningatHolboroughLakes.

Concernsaboutroadsafety,HallRoadandsurroundinginfrastructure.

Concernedthattheexpansioncouldreducetheappealandsuccessoftheschool.

Understandthatalargerschoolcanoftenattractbetterstaffbyofferingabettercareerstructureandhavingenoughpupilsforspecialiststaff.Therearetwoneighbouringschoolsifmanageriallylinkedcouldovercometheseissues.

KCCwillloseavaluableresourceforthefutureiftheyclosetheWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSsite.Surelyitisbettertohavetwoseparatesitesservingthetwovillages,bothofwhichcouldbeexpanded,ifrequired,toallowmoreflexibilityineducatingthechildrenoffutureresidentsofbothvillages.

KENTCOUNTYCOUNCIL–PROPOSEDRECORDOFDECISION

DECISIONTOBETAKENBY:RogerGough,

CabinetMemberforEducationandHealthReform

DECISIONNO:

15/00092

Forpublication

Subject:ProposedRelocationandExpansionofWouldhamAllSaintsCEPS(TonbridgeMalling)

Decision:

AsCabinetMemberforEducationandHealthReformIproposetoagreeto:

Issueapublicnoticeto:

(i)RelocateWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSchooltoasiteadjacenttoHallRoadandexpandthenumberofplacesfrom210to420for1September2017.

And,subjecttononewobjectionstothepublicnotice

(ii)Implementtheproposalsaccordingtothedatesidentifiedabove

(iii)Allocate£7.95millionfromtheBasicNeedsbudget,whichwillbemetinpartbythecapitalreceiptfromthecurrentWouldhamAllSaintsCEPSschoolsiteand£4.43millionfromdevelopercontributions.

(iv)AuthorisetheDirectorofPropertyandInfrastructureSupportinconsultationwiththeDirectorofGovernanceandLawtoenterintoanynecessarycontracts/agreementsonbehalfoftheCountyCouncil

(v)Authorise the Director of Property and Infrastructure Support to be the nominated AuthorityRepresentativewithintherelevantagreementsandtoenterintovariationsasenvisagedunderthecontracts.

Shouldobjections,notalreadyconsideredbythecabinetmemberwhentakingthisdecision,bereceivedduringthenoticeperiodaseparatedecisionwillberequiredinordertocontinuetheproposalinordertoallowforproperconsiderationofthepointsraised.

Reason(s)fordecision:

InreachingthisdecisionIwilltakeintoaccount:

theviewsexpressedbythoseputinwritinginresponsetotheconsultation;

theviewsoftheDistrict,BoroughandParishCouncils,thelocalCountyCouncillor;thelocalMPGoverningBodiesoftheschools,StaffandPupils;schoolsfromthesurroundingarea

theEqualitiesImpactAssessmentandcommentsreceivedregardingthis;and

theviewsoftheEducationandYoungPeople’sServicesCabinetCommitteewhicharesetoutbelow

CabinetCommitteerecommendationsandotherconsultation:

15December2015

14October2014

TheCommitteeendorsedtheKentCommissioningPlan,whichidentifiedaneedforadditionalplaces

4December2013

EducationCabinetCommitteewereaskedtoendorsetheactionstoimplementkeyproposalssetoutinthe

SENDStrategy.

Anyalternativesconsidered:

TheCommissioningPlanforEducationProvision2015-19exploredalloptionsandtheexpansionofthisschoolwasdeemedthesuitableoption.

AnyinterestdeclaredwhenthedecisionwastakenandanydispensationgrantedbytheProperOfficer:

......

SignedDate