Agenda item

Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to Councillor Anita Cranmer, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services

In view of the rising demand for school places in the Buckingham catchment area, due to housing growth and sixth form places in Winslow not being available, what work is being undertaken to plan for primary and secondary school places in North Buckinghamshire and Buckingham in particular to meet current and future demand?

Question from Councillor Robin Stuchbury to Councillor Anita Cranmer, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services

“In view of the rising demand for school places in the Buckingham catchment area, due to housing growth and sixth form places in Winslow not being available, what work is being undertaken to plan for primary and secondary school places in North Buckinghamshire and Buckingham in particular to meet current and future demand?”

RESPONSE from Councillor Cranmer

In response to the question that has been raised in relation to school places in the Buckingham catchment area, I can confirm the following:

Primary Provision in Buckingham

The projections indicate there are currently sufficient school places in the area although there is significant year on year volatility in births.  The Council will need to monitor the impact of housing growth in the town and if necessary look to expand Maids Moreton CE School/Buckingham Primary School where feasibility studies have indicated the schools are suitable for expansion.

Secondary Provision in Buckingham

While Buckingham School is currently full in some year groups like most schools it admits a number of children from outside its catchment (i.e. in the 2022 admissions round 18 out-catchment pupils were allocated to the school largely from out county). Under the admissions code of practice, the Local Authority is not able to reserve places at schools for children moving into an area and has a duty to allocate any spare places in response to parental choice.  As a result, parents moving into an area after the normal point of entry at Year 7, are at a greater risk of not securing a place at their local catchment school as any spare places may be taken up by children living outside the area. 

The projections for Buckingham School suggest greater pressure on places which in the future may result in out catchment children being displaced. 

Further, following the closure of its sixth form, Sir Thomas Freemantle School which shares part of Buckingham School’s catchment area admitted an additional two bulge classes in Sept 22 and again Sept 23.  The Council is currently in discussion with the school about making this change permanent.  Cottesloe School which also shares part of its catchment area with the Buckingham School also admitted an additional class in Sept 22 and is proposing to make this increase permanent. It is expected that these changes will reduce the pressure on places at Buckingham School although a feasibility study at the school has indicated that it may be suitable for expansion should there be a requirement subject to planning and consultation.

 Predicting primary and secondary school demand is complex due to a number of factors:

•          Fluctuations in population migration particularly due to housing growth;

•          Population data less reliable since changes to child benefit eligibility rules;

•          The shape of Bucks boundary (i.e. long and narrow bordered on all sides by   other authorities) encourages significant cross border movement;

•          Schools serve a rural population which requires extensive catchment areas;

•          Parental choice (e.g. grammar school, independent sector, out-county pupils).

The Council will continue to monitor changes in capacity/trends in the future and if necessary have further discussions with the schools in the area to expand them on a permanent basis.