Decision details

To approve capital funding obtained through planning obligations (Section 106) to provide additional accommodation at Paulet High School to mitigate new residential housing development in the catchment area.

There is projected to be a need for additional secondary places in the catchment area of Paulet High school due to new residential development.

Additional places (up to 1.5FE) are projected to be required in the longer term; however, this first project will facilitate a PAN increase from 150 to 165. This PAN increase is proposed to be from September 2024 to mitigate the impact of the proposed new homes within the catchment of the school. This supports SCC’s commitment to providing places for local children and the local authority’s responsibility for ensuring there are sufficient school places within a reasonable distance. The school would not be able to accommodate the additional pupils expected in future years without the proposed expansion.

Staffordshire Learning Infrastructure Board (SLIB) gave approval in October 2017 for the total project to expand the school by 2FE, as part of the Burton Secondary Strategy. A further report providing an update was shared with Councillor Price on 5th July 2023. This report outlined the first phase to deliver ½ FE of additional provision of the wider project.

As this school is an academy the trust sought the views of the local community between 12th June 2023 and 7th July 2023 as per the DfE guidance for academy trusts planning to make organisational changes. A dedicated web page was sent up by the Academy for this and any comments received have been responded to via a FAQ page: Consultation on the proposal to expand – Paulet High School & 6th Form College

Delegation under Scheme of Delegation to the Director for Children and Families, paragraph 12:

To be responsible for the functions conferred on or exercisable by the Local Authority in its capacity as a local education authority particularly:
(1) Its strategic duties under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to promote:
• Choice
• Diversity
• High standards
• The fulfilment of every child’s educational potential
(2) Its responsibilities under the Education Act 1996 to:
• Secure School Places
• Secure excellence in education, promoting high standards and fulfilment of potential
(3) Its responsibilities under the Education Act 1996 or any subsequent legislation in relation to the provision of education for children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

Paulet High School is the most appropriate school to expand, as the catchment area has been extended to include new housing developments. The project to expand the school will mitigate the impact of the additional secondary aged children.