hertfordshire county council. item … · surplus or shortage of year r places (%) -22.9% -41.9%...
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HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL SPECIAL CABINET PANEL WEDNESDAY, 3 JUNE 2020 AT 10:00AM ADDITIONAL SCHOOL PLACES Report of the Director of Children’s Services
Report Author(s): Pauline Davis, Head of School Planning Tel: 01992 555865 Christopher Martin, School Planning Officer (East) Tel: 01992 5566308 Michael Dunnage, School Planning Officer (West) Tel: 01992 555621 Executive Member: Terry Douris (Education, Libraries & Localism) Local members: Jeff Jones (Buntingford), Andrew Williams (Hemel
Hempstead East) Purpose of report 1.1 To update and seek the comments of Panel relating to primary and
secondary additional school place proposals.
2. Summary 2.1 The only planned additional permanent primary places for September
2022 are proposed in Buntingford, through provision of a new 2 form of entry (FE)1 first school, for which funding approval is sought.
2.2 Funding approval is also sought for one secondary school expansion in
Hemel Hempstead from September 2022. 2.3 Approval for the application of Section 106 funds to support various
school expansion projects is also sought.
3. Recommendations 3.1 Panel is to requested recommend to Cabinet that it approves:
(i) funding of a total amount of £10.692m, to cover the two projects outlined in this report:
1 The number of Forms of Entry indicate how many classes there are in each year group.
Agenda Item No.
7
the construction of a new 2FE first school in Buntingford to open in September 2022;
the expansion of Adeyfield School by 1FE from September 2022;
A breakdown of the costs by project are outlined in an associated confidential Part II report, as covered by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972
3.2 Panel is requested to note that a competition to identify a sponsor to run the proposed new first school in Buntingford will begin in September 2020 if Cabinet approves the requested funding;
(ii) the use of £0.580m of S106 contributions towards the
construction of a new 2FE first school in Buntingford;
(iii) that officers enter into a funding agreement with Adeyfield School, as identified in section 4 of the report and the accompanying Part II report;
(iv) the application of S106 funds identified in Appendix A. 4. Background Primary
4.1 Work has been undertaken to identify whether new primary or first education provision will be required for September 2022 within the county. The demand for primary school places county-wide is forecast to have reached its peak and therefore the need for additional places continues to be lower than in previous years. The only area with an identified need for additional permanent or temporary places for September 2022 is Buntingford.
4.2 The current primary forecast indicates an ongoing deficit of places from
within the local area. 6.1.2
Places available
2019-20 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
2386 Millfield First and Nursery School 60 45 44 59
3011 Layston Church of England First School 30 30 31 29
3306Ardeley St Lawrence Church of England Voluntary Aided
Primary School15 15 12 15
Total Year R Pupil Demand 90 87 103 129 149 142 165
Total Year R Places Available 105 105 105 105 105
Surplus or Shortage of Year R Places (No.) -24 -44 -37 -60
Surplus or Shortage of Year R Places (%) -22.9% -41.9% -35.2% -57.1%
Surplus or Shortage of Year R Places (FE) -0.8 -1.5 -1.2 -2.0
BuntingfordSchool
CodeSchool Name
Actuals Forecast
4.3 Millfield First School, Buntingford, was expanded in 2018, and this is
included in the available places in the table above. Currently all schools in the town are full at Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, meaning that
additional pupil yield which will be generated from planned new housing will require additional school place provision.
4.4 Taking account of current forecasts and specific pupil yield information
relating to new housing in Buntingford, it is considered necessary to provide an additional 2FE in the town on a permanent basis from September 2022.
4.5 Options to provide these additional places within the area have been
assessed using the Director of Children’s Services’ four tests:
does it provide the right number of places in the right location?
does it support and not undermine school effectiveness?
are the implications for buildings, environment and cost feasible and affordable?
transitional implications. 4.6 Application of these four tests concluded that construction of a new
2FE first school in Buntingford is the most appropriate solution for the town.
4.7 The need for a new First school within Buntingford was acknowledged
in the Local Plan2 and a site was allocated for a new 2FE First school. The land allocated is within one of the larger housing developments in Buntingford and would ensure an even spread of First schools across the settlement. The land allocated has already been purchased by the County Council for £1.95m, utilising S106 contributions, and is ready to be developed when necessary; subject to town planning approval. The purchase of the land was approved by Cabinet on the 10 July 20173 meeting and the utilisation of the S106 funding for this was approved by Cabinet on the 18 Feburary 20194.
Secondary 4.8 Work undertaken to assess the need for additional secondary places
for September 2022 identified two areas of need; Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted. This report contains a proposal to address the forecast demand in Hemel Hempstead. Feasibility is underway to identify an acceptable solution in Berkhamsted and this will be reported once that work is concluded.
Hemel Hempstead
4.9 The growth in demand which has been experienced in the primary
phase in Hemel Hempstead is now reaching the secondary sector. 2https://cdn-eastherts.onwebcurl.com/s3fs-public/documents/District_Plan_08_-_C_6_-_BUNTINGFORD_BUNT_POLICIES.pdf 3https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/Data/Cabinet/201707101400/Agenda/PlLyVaprL6LXOMfedOKDvidZpOq6KT.pdf 4https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/documents/s5829/190218%2018%20Additional%20School%20Places.pdf
Forecast demand indicates an unsatisfied demand in 2022/23 with a close match between places and demand for the following two years and then a sustained and growing deficit projected from 2025/26.
4.10 In Hemel Hempstead, pupil numbers have risen significantly in the last
ten years and continue to rise. At the primary phase, an additional 6.5FE of permanent places have been created since 2010 to meet rising demand, as well as further temporary expansions within this timeframe. These larger cohorts are now moving into the secondary phase meaning surplus places which have historically been available in Hemel Hempstead will quickly diminish.
4.11 The forecast indicates that an additional 1FE is required to ensure
sufficient capacity for September 2022. Further additional places are likely to be required from 2025, and proposals to meet that demand will be brought forward at the appropriate time.
4.12 As outlined in paragraph 4.5, options to provide additional places in the
town were assessed against the director’s four tests. 4.13 Analysis of demographic information indicates that the most significant
growth in pupil numbers is to the east of Hemel Hempstead. This is correlates with the provision of additional primary places over the past 10 years, which have been predominately been located to the east of the town. Taking this and the current spread of secondary school provision into account, it is recommended that Adeyfield School, Hemel Hempstead is expanded by 1FE.
4.14 The estimated cost is contained within the Part II report. The school is
an Academy and will deliver the project itself. Authority is therefore sought to enter into a funding agreement with the Academy.
5. Financial implications
Revenue funding
5.1 Growth funding will need to be provided to the new first school in Buntingford once it opens and Adeyfield School, Hemel Hempstead as part of the expansion. However, there are no further revenue funding implications for either scheme.
Capital funding
5.2 The specific estimated costs of the individual projects are contained
within in an associated Part II report covered by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The total cost for proposals contained within this report amount to £10.692m for which approval is being sought.
5.3 These costs include a sum to move towards the new Buntingford First
School being a net zero carbon school. Given that the proposed new First school is a relatively small whole school on a new site, there is an opportunity to treat this project as a pilot to implement a carbon neutral design and build which will allow the County Council to evaluate the effectiveness and potential outcomes of this approach.
5.4 Specific approval for the use S106 contributions, amounting to
£580,555.03, is being sought to part fund construction of the new 2FE First School in Buntingford, as detailed in the table below; approval for use of this money has been received from the Growth and Infrastructure Unit, Legal and the Local Member. The remainder of the project would be funded from Basic Need Grant, as set out in section 5.5.
District
Development address District Ref Amount Clause
Recommended school
East Herts District Council Council
Hamels Mansion
3/14/0694/FP £5,812.43
facilities serving the locality of the
Development New 2FE First School in Buntingford
East Herts District Council
Land at Former Sainsburys Distribution Depot
3/13/1925/OP £574,742.60
provision of a new 2fe 1st school for
Buntingford New 2FE First School in Buntingford
GRAND TOTAL
£580,555.03
5.5 Additional funds are available to support the provision of new school
places in relation to the pupil yield from new housing, via developers’ contributions under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended. Funds able to be applied to previous school expansion projects and at a total of c.£4.066m are included in Appendix A.
Approval is therefore sought to the application of s106 funds identified in Appendix A is requested.
Summary position 5.6 The updated summary financial position, reviewing funds available
from grants received to date, approved Section 106, less existing commitments, and the proposed primary proposals above is:
Funds currently available up to 2019/20: £33.290m
S106 funds to be approved £4.066m Buntingford S106 fund to be approved £0.580m
Subtotal: £37.936m
Less
proposed cost of Buntingford First School and Adeyfield: £10.692m
Allocation remaining £27.244m
5.7 The allocation remaining is likely to change with any further basic need
allocation for 2021/22 (which is due in Spring 2020) and any future approvals to the application of S106 funds.
5.8 Costs have been assessed on the current market conditions. 6. Equalities Implications 6.1 When considering proposals placed before Members it is important that
they are fully aware of and have themselves rigorously considered the Equality implications of the decision that they are making.
6.2 Rigorous consideration will ensure that proper appreciation of any
potential impact of that decision on the County Council’s statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty. As a minimum this requires decision makers to read and carefully consider the content of any Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) produced by officers.
6.3 The Equality Act 2010 requires the County Council when exercising its
functions to have due regard to the need to (a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Act; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and
(c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. The protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 are age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
6.4 Equalities Impact Assessments (EqIAs) have been carried out and
updated where necessary on all proposed school expansions contained within this report (Appendix B). The EqIAs will be reviewed and updated as part of any future public consultation. Consideration has been given to the likely impact of the proposals, and current assessments conclude that it is not anticipated that people with protected characteristics will be affected disproportionately.
6.5 All admitting authorities are bound by the Admissions Code and
Regulations and this does not allow for any discrimination in this respect.
6.6 The expansion of school premises will enable additional school places
to be made available as close as possible to the demand for them. In that way they will improve access to school places to all sectors of the communities in which they are located and avoid very young children having to travel longer distances to access education.
6.7 The expansion of existing schools provides for enhanced education
opportunities and an enriched curriculum offer which has a positive impact on the whole school community.
6.8 School expansion schemes provide positive impacts, offering the
opportunity for improved facilities for disabled access in new buildings. Background Informaion
Buntingford Local Plan - https://cdn-eastherts.onwebcurl.com/s3fs-public/documents/District_Plan_08_-_C_6_-_BUNTINGFORD_BUNT_POLICIES.pdf Cabinet 10 July 2017 - https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=146&MeetingId=415&DF=10%2f07%2f2017&Ver=2 Cabinet 18 February 2019 - https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=146&MId=298
Appendix A
District Development address Primary Secondary Nursery Recommended school
Dacorum Borough Council Bunkers Farm £37,333.83 Belswains Primary
Dacorum Borough Council
Land next to 54 Goldcroft £3,625.90 Belswains Primary
Dacorum Borough Council
Land at NE Hemel Hempstead (adj Nickey Line) £1,025,990.36 Hemel Hempstead
Dacorum Borough Council
Land off Dacorum Way between Marlowes, Combe Street and the River Gade £55,661.76 Hemel Hempstead
Dacorum Borough Council
Land at Hicks Road £185,680.80 Katherine Warington
Dacorum Borough Council
Land at Manor Farm £104,383.39 Katherine Warington
Dacorum Borough Council
Land off Dacorum Way between Marlowes, Combe Street and the River Gade £126,872.64 South Hill
Dacorum Total £167,832.37 £1,371,716.31 £0.00
East Herts District Council
115-149 Tudor Way and £9,419.28
new 2fe primary phase at Simon Balle
East Herts District Council
ASR5 - land between Hazelend Rd, Farnham Rd & A120 Bishop's Stortford Bypass £836,261.64
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
Land adj to Hoggetts End £101,762.50
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
15-17 North Street £2,647.54
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
86-124 Plaw Hatch Close £3,942.00
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
Firlands House £4,178.00
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
Land adj to Hoggetts End £12,405.89
new 3fe Eastern Primary School (Avanti Meadows) at BSN.
East Herts District Council
Land to the north of Park Farm Industrial £98,100.23 Millfield First School
Estate
East Herts District Council
Stort Wholesalers Ltd., 21 Hockerill Street £1,500.00
St. Joseph's RC Primary (temp accommodation)
East Herts District Council
Bishops Stortford Bowling Club, 23 Hockerill Street £2,000.00
St. Joseph's RC Primary (temp accommodation)
East Herts District Council
49 Upper Green Road, Tewin £40,096.87
Tewin Cowper C of E Primary School
East Herts District Council
Land south of Froghall Lane £293,637.14
Walkern Primary School
East Herts Total £1,382,777.66 £0.00 £23,173.43
Hertsmere Borough Council
6-16 Southgate Road £9,240.23 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
29 Oakroyd Avenue £318.61 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
239 Mutton Lane £1,670.56 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
70 Highview Gardens £3,102.47 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
Grasmere Lodge, Dugdale Hill Lane £3,304.86 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
The Bridge House Public House £7,259.25 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
Land To The Rear Of 120 Dugdale Hill Lane £7,303.27 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Borough Council
The White House Commercial Centre £44,895.54 Chancellor's
Hertsmere Total £0.00 £77,094.79 £0.00
North Hertfordshire District Council
Welwyn Equestrian Centre adjacent Arnolds Farm £77,256.64
Codicote Primary School
North Hertfordshire District Council
Former Convent of Providence £40,147.39
Hartsfield Primary, Balodck
North Hertfordshire District Council Legion House £6,217.32 Hitchin Boys School
North Hertfordshire District Council
Ickleford Manor £77,378.40 Hitchin Girls School
North Hertfordshire District Council
Hitchin Cricket and Hockey Ground £119,145.66
William Ransom Primary School
North Herts Total £236,549.69 £83,595.72 £0.00
St Albans City and District Council
Partridge Road Garages, Partridge Road £19,894.46 Garden Fields
St Albans City and District Council
Blundell Close Garages, Blundell Close £10,073.14 Garden Fields
St Albans City and District Council
139 London Road £5,887.55 Garden Fields
St Albans City and District Council
Former playing fields and King Harry Lane £14,232.00 Prae Wood Nursery
St Albans City and District Council
The Willows Land at Junction with Lowbell Lane £39,872.80 Samuel Ryder
St Albans City and District Council
Former Nurses Home, Napsbury Hospital £38,078.34 Samuel Ryder
St Albans City and District Council
Napsbury Church £7,543.97 Samuel Ryder
St Albans City and District Council
Telford Road Garages Telford Road £2,941.87 Samuel Ryder
St Albans City and District Council
Building Research Establishment £335,992.62 St Albans Girl's School
St Albans City and District Council
Civic Centre (South) £28,758.56 St Albans Girl's School
St Albans City and District Council
Civic Centre (South) £56,524.29 St Peters
St Albans Total £92,379.44 £453,188.16 £14,232.00
Watford Council
Land to rear 263-267 Gammons Lane £1,769.30 Watford Girls
Watford Council
Watford Social Club, 70-72 Queens Road £2,557.23 Watford Girls
Watford Council
Watford Bathrooms, 60-62 Queens Road £4,270.00 Watford Girls
Watford Council
Watford School of Music Nascot Wood Road £4,678.00 Watford Girls
Watford Council The Beaver public house £15,562.59 Watford Girls
Watford Council
Land rear of 123-129 Gammons Lane £22,814.00 Watford Girls
Watford Council 115 St Albans Road £187.75 Watford Girls
Watford Total £0.00 £51,838.87 £0.00
Welwyn Hatfield Council
Land at Green Close and Station Road £31,238.57 Chancellor's
Welwyn Hatfield Council
Land at 1-12 Green Close £59,208.69 Chancellor's
Welwyn Hatfield Council QE II Hospital £22,010.34 Stanborough School
Welwyn Hatfield Total £0.00 £112,457.60 £0.00
GRAND TOTAL £1,879,539.16 £2,149,891.45 £37,405.43
£4,066,836.04
Appendix B
Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) - New Buntingford First School
1. Who is completing the EqIA and why is it being done?
Title of service / proposal / project / strategy / procurement you are assessing
Hertfordshire County Council’s proposal to fund and construct of a new 2FE (300 places) mixed First School in Buntingford (a Free School) to open in September 2022
Names of those involved in completing the EqIA Chris Martin, Adrian Bentley
Head of Service or Business Manager Pauline Davis
Team/Department School Planning Team / Children’s Services
Lead officer contact details Chris Martin, Comnet 26308 (01992 556308)
Focus of EqIA – what are you assessing?
Hertfordshire County Council has a legal duty to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of existing and new communities. There is an increasing demand for first school places in Buntingford and the surrounding area due to an increase in the population of primary-age students, as a result of the 1,100 new homes to be built in the area.
This assessment considers the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) undertaken to seek to identify whether any equality issues can be identified as a consequence of bringing forward this new school and how they may be addressed.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders: All Hertfordshire mainstream primary and secondary schools All County Council Councillors Local MPs Chief Executive and all East Herts District Council Councillors Parish Councils in the East Herts District Buntingford Town Council Department for Education Regional Schools Commissioner Potential School Sponsors sourced from DfE list of approved sponsors Senior officers in Hertfordshire County Council’s Children’s Services and any other related service New Schools Network
2. List of data sources used for this EqIA (include relevant national/local data, research, monitoring information, service user feedback, complaints, audits, consultations, EqIAs from other projects or other local authorities, etc.) A range of useful local data on our communities can be found on Herts Insight and on the Equalities Hub
Title and brief description Date Gaps in data
Spring 2020 school census data on gender split, English as an additional language (EAL), ethnicity, free school meal (FSM) eligibility, number of children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans (E) or SEN support (K). Countywide data in last column includes pupils at special schools and ESCs. There are two existing first schools in the town of Buntingford:
Millfield First & Nursery School
Layston C of E First School
Spring 2020 school census data
Layston First
School (Year
R to 4)
Millfield First
School (Year
R to 4)
County
Average
(Year R to 6)
Number of students 151 251 100993
Number Minority Ethnic Students
(not White British and excluding
Refused and Not Obtained)
8 30 33412
% Minority Ethnic Students (not
White British and excluding
Refused and Not Obtained)
5.30% 11.95% 33.08%
Number EAL (English as an
additional language) (First
language Not English or believed
not to be English excluding
Refused and Not Obtained)
3 11 17705
% EAL (First language Not English
or believed not to be English
excluding Refused and Not
Obtained)
1.99% 4.38% 17.53%
Number with EHC plans (E) 0 6 2497
% with EHC plans (E) 0.00% 2.39% 2.47%
Number with SEN support (K) 14 24 12855
% with SEN support (K) 9.27% 9.56% 12.73%
Number Eligible for FSM (Free
School Meals) (at date of Census)11 15 11890
% Eligible for FSM (at date of
Census)7.28% 5.98% 11.77%
Number of Male Students 62 127 51573
% of Male Students 41.06% 50.60% 51.07%
Number of Female Students 89 124 49420
% of Female Students 58.94% 49.40% 48.93%
The percentage of Minority Ethnic Students at the two Buntingford first schools is significantly lower than the county average, as are the percentages of pupils with English as an additional language (EAL). The percentage of pupils at both schools with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans (E) is slightly less than the county average. The percentage of pupils at both first schools with SEN support (K) is less than the county average. The percentage of pupils at both first schools who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) is below the county average. The percentage of male pupils and female pupils across the existing schools is generally in line with county averages. Based on these figures it would be likely the situation of the proposed new school would be similar to the existing schools.
3. Analysis and assessment: review of information, impact analysis and mitigating actions
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Age
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their age.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
amended accordingly.
Disability
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of the issues of disability but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly. The County Council will ensure the proposed building is built to appropriate legislative requirements which include disability.
Gender reassignment
It is not currently anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their gender reassignment.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Pregnancy and maternity
It is not currently anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their pregnancy or maternity.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Race
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their race.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Religion or belief
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their religion or belief.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Sex/Gender
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their sex/gender. The proposed school will not be prescribing any gender requirements.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Sexual orientation
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their sexual orientation.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Marriage and civil partnership
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their marriage or civil partnership.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Carers
The new school will allow more children to attend a school in their locality and extend the range of successful preferences available to parents/carers. Currently it does not appear that there are any disproportionate negative impacts concerning this protected characteristic.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Other relevant groups Consider if there is a potential impact (positive or negative) on areas such as health and wellbeing, crime and disorder, Armed Forces community.
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people in other relevant groups disproportionately.
The County Council will continue to monitor the position and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified by the County Council then the Action Plan will be amended accordingly.
Opportunity to advance equality of opportunity and/or foster good relations
The new school will allow more local children to access a local first school place and extend the range of successful preferences available to parents and carers. It will also provide for enhanced education opportunities and an enriched curriculum offer which has a positive impact on the whole school community. The County Council expects new school provision will be fully accessible to disabled pupils and staff and any building scheme will be compliant with DDA regulations.
Conclusion of your analysis and assessment -
OUTCOME AND NEXT STEPS SUMMARY
i. No equality impacts identified - No major change required to proposal
Ensure that the proposals do not impact adversely upon pupils with disabilities and ensure that the communications strategy takes into account the differing needs of the local community including staff.
ii. Minimal equality impacts identified - Adverse impacts have been identified, but have been objectively
justified (provided you do not unlawfully discriminate) - Ensure decision makers consider the cumulative effect of how a
number of decisions impact on equality - No major change required to proposal
iii. Potential equality impacts identified - Take ‘mitigating action’ to change the original policy/proposal,
remove barriers or better advance equality - Set out clear actions in the action plan in section 4.
iv. Major equality impacts identified - The adverse effects are not justified, cannot be mitigated or show
unlawful discrimination - You must stop and remove the policy
[you should consult with Legal Services] - Ensure decision makers understand the equality impact
4. Prioritised Action Plan
Impact identified and group(s) affected Action planned
Expected outcome
Measure of success
Lead officer and timeframe
No impact has been identified Continue to monitor Chris Martin June 2020
Monitor the decision the county council takes
If the proposal is taken forward the County Council will carry out the project in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and duties, including but not limited to the Equality Act 2010.
Chris Martin June 2020
Monitor the running the project dependant on the successful contractor
If the proposal is taken forward the County Council will monitor the implementation of the works and raise any concerns that it has regarding Equality issues with the contractor.
Chris Martin September 2020 onwards
This EqIA has been signed off by:
Lead Equality Impact Assessment officer: Chris Martin Date: 25 March 2020
Head of Service or Business Manager: Pauline Davis Date: 25 March 2020
Review date: 23 June 2020
EqIA - Proposed enlargement of The Adeyfield Academy
1. Who is completing the EqIA and why is it being done?
Title of service / proposal / project / strategy / procurement you are assessing
Funding for the proposed enlargement of The Adeyfield Academy by 1 form of entry (FE) from 5 FE to 6 FE from September 2022.
Names of those involved in completing the EqIA Michael Dunnage / Adrian Bentley
Head of Service or Business Manager Pauline Davis
Team/Department Children’s Services – School Planning Team
Lead officer contact details Michael Dunnage, Planning Officer. Comnet 25621
Focus of EqIA – what are you assessing?
To identify the impact of the provision of funding to Adeyfield School (a secondary co-educational academy), Longlands, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4DE, for it to provide accommodation to facilitate the offer of additional 1FE (from 5FE to 6FE) of school places for September 2020
The school will be responsible for delivering the expansion.
The proposal is an enlargement scheme to meet the need for additional school places as of September 2020. This need is based on current pupil forecasts which identify an ongoing shortage of places across the area. This assessment considers the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIAs) undertaken to seek to identify whether any equality issues can be identified as a consequence of a contribution of funds and how they may be addressed.
Stakeholders
Parents and carers of pupils at the school concerned; Staff and governors at the school concerned: Residents local to the school concerned: Parents and carers of pupils living locally to the school concerned; Secondary schools in the area; Local Members. The school will consult relevant parties as above.
2. List of data sources used for this EqIA
Title and brief description
Date Gaps in data (None)
Spring 2020 school census data on gender split, English as an additional language (EAL), ethnicity, free school meal (FSM) eligibility, number of children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans (E) or SEN support (K). Countywide data in last column includes pupils at special schools
The percentage of Minority Ethnic Students at The Adeyfield Academy (“The School”) is significantly lower than the county average. The percentage of pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) and the percentage of pupils at The School with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans (E) is less than the county average. The percentage of pupils at The School with SEN support (K) and the percentage of pupils at The School who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) is significantly above the county average. The percentage of male pupils at The School is higher than the county average and the percentage of female pupils is correspondingly lower than the county average. The percentage of female pupils is less than the percentage of male pupils at The School.
3. Analysis and assessment: review of information, impact analysis and mitigating actions
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Age
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of their age.
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account. No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Disability
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of the issues of disability but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
Any issues identified or known, as well as the duties found within Part 6, Section 149 and Schedules 10 and 13 of the Equality Act 2010 concerning disability will be factored into the individual scheme design. Any building scheme will also meet the requirements to avoid Disability Discrimination under Section 15 of the Equality Act 2010.
Gender reassignment
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of the issues of Gender reassignment but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account. No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Pregnancy and maternity
It is not anticipated that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of issues around Pregnancy and Maternity but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account. No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Race
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of the issues of race but the position will be monitored if the proposals proceeds
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Religion or belief
It is not anticipated that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of their religion/belief
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account. No mitigation is currently required but the position will
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Sex/Gender
It is not anticipated that the proposals will affect people disproportionately because of issues around sex/gender but the position will be monitored if the proposal proceeds.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Sexual orientation
It is not anticipated that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of issues around sexual orientation but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Marriage and civil partnership
It is not anticipated that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of issues around Marriage and Civil Partnership but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the proposal(s)?
What can you do?
amended accordingly.
Carers
It is not anticipated that the proposal will affect people disproportionately because of caring responsibilities but the position will be monitored if the Proposal proceeds
It is noted that the school will be responsible for delivering the enlargement project and therefore will be responsible for taking equalities into account. No mitigation is currently required but the position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below will be amended accordingly.
Other relevant groups
The Adeyfield Academy is a non-selective, secondary mixed academy for pupils aged 11-18 within the town of Hemel Hempstead. The sixth form is co-educational. It is part of the Atlas Multi Academy Trust.
Opportunity to advance equality of opportunity and/or foster good relations
Yes - It is felt by officers that, should Cabinet approve funds to enable the delivery of this project, it will enable more local children to attend a school within the local area.
Conclusion of your analysis and assessment - select one of the outcomes below and summarise why you have selected i, ii, iii or iv; what you think the most important impacts are; and the key actions you will take.
OUTCOME AND NEXT STEPS SUMMARY
v. No equality impacts identified - No major change required to proposal
None at this stage. The County Council’s responsibility at this stage is limited to the provision of funding for a school based project to provide additional accommodation to expand by one form of entry (1f.e). If the proposal is taken forward and funding provided then the county council will monitor the implementation of the Academy’s plans and raise any concerns that it has regarding Equality issues with the Academy directly to ensure that the proposals, once implementation commences, do not impact adversely upon pupils or staff with protected characteristics.
vi. Minimal equality impacts identified - Adverse impacts have been identified, but have been objectively
justified (provided you do not unlawfully discriminate) - Ensure decision makers consider the cumulative effect of how a
number of decisions impact on equality - No major change required to proposal
vii. Potential equality impacts identified - Take ‘mitigating action’ to change the original policy/proposal,
remove barriers or better advance equality - Set out clear actions in the action plan in section 4.
viii. Major equality impacts identified - The adverse effects are not justified, cannot be mitigated or show
unlawful discrimination - You must stop and remove the policy
[you should consult with Legal Services] - Ensure decision makers understand the equality impact
4. Prioritised Action Plan
Impact identified and group(s) affected
Action planned Include actions relating to:
• mitigation measures • getting further research • getting further data/consultation
Expected outcome Measure of success Lead officer and timeframe
If the proposal is taken forward and funding provided then the county council will seek to enter into a funding agreement with the academy which requires it to carry out the project in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and duties, including but
Michael Dunnage, School Planning Officer June – July 2020
not limited to the Equality Act 2010.
If the proposal is taken forward and funding provided then the county council will monitor the implementation of the Academy’s works and raise any concerns that it has regarding Equality issues with the Academy directly.
DCD Team During implementation of the project
This EqIA has been signed off by:
Lead Equality Impact Assessment officer: Michael Dunnage Date: 24 March 2020
Head of Service or Business Manager: Pauline Davis Date: 24 March 2020
Review date: