Agenda item

That the School Places Strategy 2023-2027 attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.

The Lead Member for Children’s Services, Lifelong Learning & Skills introduced a report that sought approval of the School Places Strategy 2023-27.

The strategy had been revised and updated to set out the current school place planning position and projected requirements for nursery, primary, secondary, post-16 and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).  Local authorities were required to office a school place to every resident pupil and the strategy was an important document in detailing the approach to secure suitable provision.

The Cabinet discussed some of the key demographic trends that influenced the strategy.  The number of births in Slough had peaked in 2012 and had since been declining and the reduction in birth rates had affected the west of Slough much more than other areas of the town.  There had been a significant expansion of school places to accommodate the additional demand and it was noted that numbers of post-16 places were currently rising. There was also considerable fluctuation each year in the number of in-year applications from new arrivals to Slough and this made forecasting the future need for places challenging.

After discussion, the Cabinet agreed that the document was a sound basis to respond to these issues and approved the strategy as at Appendix A to the report.

Resolved –  That the School Places Strategy 2023-2027 attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.