Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020

Berkswell Church of England (VA) Primary School should be identified by name in Paragraph 516

Berkswell Church of England (VA) Primary School is located in Berkswell village. It is currently the only school in Berkswell Parish. The school admits children from 3 to 11 years of age. Its admission number is 30 in each academic year, making the school 1 form entry. Berkswell School has a total of 210 places for statutory school age children plus a nursery class.
The school is very successful, a popular choice with families, and seldom has any surplus places.
The Governors would like the Local Plan to identify the school by name in the local plan.
New Housing
The governors accept that additional housing is required in Solihull Borough and Balsall Common has been selected as an area of growth. The governors recognise that additional families moving into the area will increase the demand for school places. Berkswell Primary School is currently at capacity, as are the other primary schools serving Balsall Common.
The total number of houses proposed in Balsall Common in the local plan is between1,654 - 1,819 dwellings.
The governors have independent advice that the total of all the houses proposed, in due course, is likely to generate sufficient demand for a 420 place (two form entry) primary school with a 30 place nursery.

The new primary school.
The plan clearly states that the provision of the new 2 form entry primary school with nursery is to be funded through developer contributions.
A site on part of the Barratts Farm development is identified in the local plan. The national government guidance for new primary schools would provide the template for standard provision. The Borough also has a shortfall of provision for children with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND).
Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) provision.
Department for Education statistics (4th July 2019) show that 14.9% of all pupils have special education needs (January 2019) with 3.1% of all pupils having an Education Health and Care Plan. In a school population of 420 this equates to 62 pupils with SEND and of those potentially 13 with an education health and care plan.
The new primary school should include enhanced provision for specialist facilities for pupils with special education needs and disabilities. This need meets the planning obligations tests and therefore should also be funded by the housing developments.

The timing of developments.
The plan period is 2020 to 2036 and makes clear that the completion of HS2 will have an impact on future land availability and housing programmes in Balsall Common. The Barratts Farm development, because of its proximity to HS2 and the relief road, is identified as the housing site which will take place later than the other housing sites. This is potentially problematic given that this site will also accommodate the proposed new school. Should the formation of the school occur after the completion of many new houses, it will place pressure on existing provision that is already at capacity. Interim arrangements will need to be made for the new pupils requiring places.
The Governors request participation in pupil forecast modelling exercises to ensure the new school is introduced at the optimum time.

Paragraph 531 should be expanded to reflect to need for the nursery, SEND provision and to indicate interim arrangements before the new school is provided

Berkswell Church of England (VA) Primary School is located in Berkswell village. It is currently the only school in Berkswell Parish. The school admits children from 3 to 11 years of age. Its admission number is 30 in each academic year, making the school 1 form entry. Berkswell School has a total of 210 places for statutory school age children plus a nursery class.
The school is very successful, a popular choice with families, and seldom has any surplus places.
The Governors would like the Local Plan to identify the school by name in the local plan.
New Housing
The governors accept that additional housing is required in Solihull Borough and Balsall Common has been selected as an area of growth. The governors recognise that additional families moving into the area will increase the demand for school places. Berkswell Primary School is currently at capacity, as are the other primary schools serving Balsall Common.
The total number of houses proposed in Balsall Common in the local plan is between1,654 - 1,819 dwellings.
The governors have independent advice that the total of all the houses proposed, in due course, is likely to generate sufficient demand for a 420 place (two form entry) primary school with a 30 place nursery.

The new primary school.
The plan clearly states that the provision of the new 2 form entry primary school with nursery is to be funded through developer contributions.
A site on part of the Barratts Farm development is identified in the local plan. The national government guidance for new primary schools would provide the template for standard provision. The Borough also has a shortfall of provision for children with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND).
Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) provision.
Department for Education statistics (4th July 2019) show that 14.9% of all pupils have special education needs (January 2019) with 3.1% of all pupils having an Education Health and Care Plan. In a school population of 420 this equates to 62 pupils with SEND and of those potentially 13 with an education health and care plan.
The new primary school should include enhanced provision for specialist facilities for pupils with special education needs and disabilities. This need meets the planning obligations tests and therefore should also be funded by the housing developments.

The timing of developments.
The plan period is 2020 to 2036 and makes clear that the completion of HS2 will have an impact on future land availability and housing programmes in Balsall Common. The Barratts Farm development, because of its proximity to HS2 and the relief road, is identified as the housing site which will take place later than the other housing sites. This is potentially problematic given that this site will also accommodate the proposed new school. Should the formation of the school occur after the completion of many new houses, it will place pressure on existing provision that is already at capacity. Interim arrangements will need to be made for the new pupils requiring places.
The Governors request participation in pupil forecast modelling exercises to ensure the new school is introduced at the optimum time.