Purpose

Additional special school places are required in Sandwell for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan. The Meadows School has agreed to admit additional pupils to assist to meet the demand.

To support admission of additional pupils, internal refurbishment works are required to provide a suitable classroom. The school will also need to purchase new furniture and equipment for those additional pupils.

The Department for Education (DfE) has allocated additional capital funding to Local Authority’s to support the introduction of new special school places, High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA). The proposed works will be funded from the Council’s HNPCA allocation.

Inclusive Learning Services has identified the need for additional places for children with complex needs, and The Meadows School is the most appropriate school to meet the needs of those children.

The school had a former ICT suite which has also been used for a drama studio. The refurbishment and conversion of this space into a general teaching space will enable the school to support 8 additional children.

The refurbishment works include re-decoration, new flooring, installation of sink unit with lockable cupboards and replacement light fixtures.

In accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules for projects under £10,000 a request for a quick simple quote was published on the In-tend portal to one registered supplier.

Following a visit to the school site, and meetings with the school, GM Property and Maintenance Limited provided a quote for the works. The works need to be completed by January 2025, or sooner, with some of the works being completed during October half term whilst the school is not in use by pupils.

Decision

That approval be given to:

i) proceed with a programme of works to convert the former drama studio at The Meadows School, Dudley Road East, Oldbury B69 3BU, into a general teaching classroom to provide up to 8 additional places, and award a new contract for capital works;

ii) agree an allowance of £3,000 is allocated as a contribution towards the project to fund loose furniture and equipment; and

iii) allocate a total of £15,000 (inclusive of 10% contingency for capital works) from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation funding to enable the project to proceed.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing: The Meadows School provides for specific complex needs for those pupils attending the school. To do nothing is not a viable option as the accommodation alterations are required to deliver the services to be offered by the school.

Use of existing school accommodation: a small, purpose built 3 classroom extension has been completed at the school to provide for additional places due to the lack of available space at the school. The school has no additional space that could be converted to general teaching.

An alternative school / site: The Meadows School is the only Sandwell-based special school that provides specifically for secondary aged children with complex needs. Alternative solutions for a locality-based model will develop to expand provision from the school across the borough, however at present there are insufficient complex needs places to meet current demand for pupils.

Establish a new school: at present there is insufficient demand to procure and construct a new Special School for complex needs alone. Proposals will soon commence to develop a multi-disciplinary special school that will cater for complex and other special educational needs.