Proposal to expand Lexden Springs School
This proposal provides relevant information in accordance with the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013.
School DetailsLocal Authority Details
Lexden Springs SchoolEssex County Council
Halstead RoadSchool Organisation Team
ColchesterPO Box 4261
CO3 9ABChelmsford
Essex
CM1 1GS
Description
The proposal is to increase the number of places available for learners between the ages of 3-19 from150 to 200 in September 2019.
The enlargement will be achieved by the transfer of Lexden Springs School from its current location in Halstead Road, Colchester, CO3 0QE to a new site at Winstree Road, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 0QE in new purpose built accommodation. The new site is 1 mile (straight line) from the existing site. No statutory proposal is required for relocations of less than two miles: this proposal therefore relates only to the permanent expansion of the school.
Lexden Springs School currently has permanent capacity for 150 learners with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder aged 3 -19.
Consultation
A formal consultation on a proposal to expand Lexden Springs School from 150 places to 200 places was held between 20th February 2017 and 31st March 2017.
A response form was made available online and the consultation document was distributed to parents of children at the primary school via the school. Copies of the document were also posted to other interested parties by email or royal mail. Responses to the consultation could be made through the organised meeting and/or via the electronic response form, by letter or email.
There were 7on line responses to the consultation. Of the 7, all were strongly in favour and none were against. The Essex Special School Education Trust also responded (ESSET) and fully supported the proposals.
Apublic consultation meeting for parents and the local community was held at the school on 9th March 2017.
Objectives
The County Council is under a duty to promote high educational standards, ensure fair access to educational opportunity and promote the fulfilment of every child’s educational potential. It must also ensure that there are sufficient schools in the county to promote diversity and increase parental choice. This is expressed in the council’s vision to “increase educational achievement and enhance skills”.
Essex County Council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient school places within its area. The key role of the planning function is to maintain a balance between the supply and demand of school places, with regard to future projections of pupil numbers, demographic trends and policy priorities. As the number of children and young people increases, the demand for special school places will also increase. The school is currently operating above capacity. In the context of the planned rebuild it is now appropriate to formally increase its capacity.
The proposal also concurs with the objectives in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Strategy – including young people in their local communities and reducing expenditure on out of authority placements.
Lexden Springs School has always been a popular school with parents and therefore demand for places has been high.
Forecast pupil numbers factoring in new housing developments in North East Essex and population data indicate that demand is likely to continue to increase which justifies the provision of a bigger school in the locality. It is proposed that 200 places should be provided.
The rebuild will be achieved by relocation onto a new site. The current site is not well suited to demolition and rebuild. The relocation will thus cause minimal disruption to the school while the rebuild is implemented. The new site is fully accessible. The building will be accessible and will comply with all the requirements of the Equality Act and relevant Building Regulations.
Effect on other schools and educational institutions
The proposed expansion of Lexden Springs School will have no adverse effects on other schools and institutions. The expansion will not jeopardise the viability of any other mainstream or special school, and will enable a continuum of provision to be available to pupils with special needs living in and around Colchester.
Funding
The capital project is beingfunded by the Essex County Council and the Schools Forum. ECC will pay for £16.5m and the Schools Forum £5m.
Place funding of £10,000 per commissioned place is funded along with top-up funding for each pupil placed at the school from the High Needs Funding block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in accordance with the Essex Formula for the funding of special schools.
The cost of placing pupils at an enlarged Lexden Springs School will cost less than placing them in alternative provision such as out of county independent placements.
Implementation
The school will expandfrom 1st September 2019.
Details on how to respond to proposals
Within four weeks from the date of publication (Thursday 8 June 2017) you may make objections or comments in respect of this proposal in the following ways:
By post:The Executive Director: Social Care and Education
c/o School Organisation
Essex County Council
PO Box 4261
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1GS
By email: