Issue - meetings

In line with statutory guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools, this report outlines the proposal to create a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding post‑16 places at Winchelsea School’s Broadstone Youth Centre site. These developments support the council’s duty to provide sufficient specialist school places and form part of a wider programme to expand high‑quality local SEND provision. The proposal responds to rising demand for specialist places driven by increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the resulting reliance on independent and non‑maintained special schools.

By using surplus space available at Stanley Green Infant Academy and at Broadstone Youth Centre for post‑16 provision, the Council aims to strengthen local capacity so that more children and young people can access appropriate education closer to home. Increasing provision will reduce the need for costly out‑of‑area placements, often involving higher fees and significant transport costs, while improving outcomes by enabling pupils to remain within their communities and delivering long‑term financial efficiencies for the Council.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet agreed with the proposal to establish a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery for children with SEND at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding Winchelsea School’s post-16 places at Broadstone Youth Centre, with effect from 1 September 2026.

(b)           Cabinet approve a budget allocation of £710k using High Needs Provision Allocation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

To increase local specialist early years and key stage 1 capacity in the Oakdale and wider area, in addition to permitting an increase to the number of post-16 places made available in Broadstone, to meet the assessed educational needs of children and young people with SEND and to reduce pressure on the High Needs Budget. The Council is the authority for approving this significant change.

The Portfolio Holder or Children, Young People, Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that in line with statutory guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools, the report outlined the proposal to create a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding post‑16 places at Winchelsea School’s Broadstone Youth Centre site.

Cabinet was informed that these developments supported the council’s duty to provide sufficient specialist school places and form part of a wider programme to expand high‑quality local SEND provision, and that the proposal responds to rising demand for specialist places driven by increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the resulting reliance on independent and non‑maintained special schools.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that by using surplus space available at Stanley Green Infant Academy and at Broadstone Youth Centre for post‑16 provision, the Council aims to strengthen local capacity so that more children and young people can access appropriate education closer to home, and that increasing provision would reduce the need for costly out‑of‑area placements, often involving higher fees and significant transport costs, while improving outcomes by enabling pupils to remain within their communities and delivering long‑term financial efficiencies for the Council.

RESOLVED that: -

a)             Cabinet agreed with the proposal to establish a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery for children with SEND at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding Winchelsea School’s post-16 places at Broadstone Youth Centre, with effect from 1 September 2026.

b)             Cabinet approve a budget allocation of £710k using High Needs Provision Allocation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

To increase local specialist early years and key stage 1 capacity in the Oakdale and wider area, in addition to permitting an increase to the number of post-16 places made available in Broadstone, to meet the assessed educational needs of children and young people with SEND and to reduce pressure on the High Needs Budget. The Council is the authority for approving this significant change.