School Organisation is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient and appropriate school places available to create a school system that is sustainable into the future. To achieve this we use a number of data sources to improve our understanding of the provision required and how it will develop over time.
The service:
- provides advice on the provision of school places
- provides forecasts of pupil numbers to schools when requested
- undertakes consultations and publishes statutory public notices to close existing schools, open new schools or make other changes to existing ones such as changing the age range, expanding or adding special needs facilities.
- works with planning authorities on proposed new housing developments, and negotiate with developers in line with the adopted developer contribution guidelines to meet the cost of providing additional school places
- liaises with the Diocesan authorities and other relevant bodies
- works with the Capital programme and building development service on developing, establishing and financing new and existing schools
Consultations and statutory proposals
Current consultations and proposals.
Proposals for provision of additional resourced provision places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
As part of Cumberland Council’s plans to increase local provision for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) it is intended to add Resourced Provision (RP) to Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School Carlisle, St Patrick's RC Primary School Cleator Moor and St James' RC Primary School Millom.
About statutory proposals
To meet the demand for school places, we may need to build new schools or make changes to existing schools.
Whenever a local authority or other proposer such as a governing body or the church wishes to make a change to the current organisation of schools, it requires the publication of a statutory proposal to bring such a change about.
Such changes include proposals to cease to maintain - including:
- close existing schools
- open new schools or make other changes to existing ones such as changing the age range, expanding or adding special needs facilities
The Education and Inspections Act 2006 changed completely the way decisions on such statutory proposals are made. From 25 May 2007, most decisions on statutory proposals are made by the local authority responsible for Children's Services which in the case for Cumberland, it's Cumberland Council.
Further information on this process can be found on the Department of Education's GOV.UK webpage.