Purpose

This report provides an update and the current position on the placements available in Lancashire maintained special schools throughout the county, and the potential risk this poses to Lancashire. There are significant risks to the county council being able to meet its statutory duties associated with the number of additional places required for September 2024.

The report contains a proposal to close Pinfold Primary School in Scarisbrick, Ormskirk as a mainstream school, and to repurpose the building as satellite provision attached to a Special School provision.

The report outlines the proposals to increase the availability of special needs provision throughout the county, through the further development of mainstream school Special Educational Needs Units.

Approval is sought for a feasibility study to be undertaken as a priority across the primary and secondary settings in Leyland, Burnley and Garstang, to identify additional physical space within schools, colleges or alternative Lancashire County Council buildings to change the use of these to become satellite provision for the associated special schools in the area.

In addition, approval is being sought to confirm the budget spend to create additional places from January 2024 at The Loyne Specialist School in Lancaster, Kirkham Pear Tree School, Mayfield Specialist School in Chorley, and Kingsbury Primary School in Skelmersdale.

Finally, approval is being sought on the costings provided for phase 2 of the expansion of West Lancashire Community High School in Skelmersdale.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.