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Residents living in the Havant area could benefit from a significant investment in secondary schools in their community under proposals to be outlined next week. Hampshire County Council officers have drawn up plans which will support the enhancement of education achievement and community wellbeing and will be asking the Cabinet's Lead member for Children's Services, Councillor David Kirk, to give the go-ahead to seek the views of local communities. Speaking ahead of his decision day, which will be on Thursday 24 July, Councillor Kirk, said: "I must stress that no decisions have been made and consultation responses will be crucial in determining the way ahead. Building Schools for the Future is not simply about future school buildings, but a transformation that improves potential for providing wider children's services and community facilities in the longer term. Officers describe the work as a one-off opportunity for the County Council and schools to make a radical impact on ensuring that secondary education in Hampshire better meets the needs of all learners in a more cohesive way and to modernise provision for the next generation. Havant is the first area of Hampshire to be considered under the Government's ‘Building Schools for the Future' programme, with the potential to attract investment totalling up to £1 billion across Hampshire over 10 years. BSF will transform school buildings to fit them for the demands of the 21st century school curriculum using funding on a scale not previously available and unlikely to be matched for years. The proposals could see the rebuild, remodelling or refurbishment of local secondary schools to reflect projected demand for more than 7,000 young people. One school could be totally rebuilt as a state of the art facility. Catchment area changes would be made to reduce surplus places at others and, while one school could be closed, its much valued community facilities would be retained. Councillor Kirk said: "The Government expects a forward looking approach designed to meet the future needs of learners and the wider community and made clear its expectations. It wants us to encourage diversity, to tackle underachievement, ensure that our schools are the right size to meet future local demand, deliver a broad and flexible curriculum, are inclusive and work in partnership and are sustainable in the longer term. The strategy should ensure that surplus places are nearer 5%, and certainly no more than 8%. In the east side of Havant there is a predicted 35% surplus and 17.8% on the west side in ten years time. I want to ensure Hampshire is ready to deliver on the BSF strategy." If Councillor Kirk gives the go-ahead to formal consultations, they will be carried out from September 2008 and reported to Cabinet in spring 2009 before any decisions are made. When a strategy for the area is confirmed, detailed building proposals for each school will be prepared by the council's award winning architects. Various options for organisation have been considered and discussed with head teachers and chairmen of governing bodies. Their views as well as those of the local district councils, post-16 colleges, the Learning and Skills Council, the primary care trust and others will be sought should Cllr Kirk agree to formal consultations. The Hampshire Action Team for Havant will also meet officers to discuss the proposals at their September meeting. Details can be found in the report at http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/080724-excsed-R0717111730.html For more information visit Hampshire County Council |
