Purpose

The report
sought approval for capital investment of £5.3m to establish
three new Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs)
within 
mainstream schools in Tameside, at Laurus Ryecroft Secondary
School, Ashton West End Academy and St Stephen’s RC Primary
School (Droylsden) and establish a satellite site at Cromwell High
School. The schemes would deliver 118 new specialist places across
primary, secondary and post‑16
phases, strengthening local capacity and supporting the
Council’s statutory duty to ensure sufficient, appropriate
school places.

Content

RESOLVED

(i)           
Approval be given
to the allocation of £4.3 million from the High Needs Capital
Grant to fund the adaptation, fit-out, and associated works
required to be undertaken at the Laurus Ryecroft, Ashton West End
Primary Academy and St Stephen’s RC Primary School with an
allocation to each as set out within section 3 of the
report

(ii)         
Approval be given
to the allocation of up to £1 million from the High Needs
Capital Grant to fund the adaptation, fit-out, and associated works
required to be undertaken at the Kingfisher Learning Trusts
Cromwell High School, as set out within the report, in order to
make the site operational for September 2026. This approval is
subject to receipt of detailed costings and confirmation that
proposed use of funding is compliant with the terms of funding from
the Department for Education.

(iii)       
Approval be given
to the entry into a Grant Funding Agreement of funding of £3m
to the Academy Trusts for Laurus Ryecroft, £0.450m for Ashton
West End Primary, £0.850m for St Stephens RC Primary and
£1m for Cromwell High School, through a Grant Funding
Agreement, subject to appropriate due diligence regarding the scope
of works and cost estimates, in order to make the sites operational
for September 2026.

(iv)       
To Delegate
authority to the Strategic Director of Children’s Services to
undertake the necessary due diligence.