Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding projections for pupil places across CoLAT Academies.

In introducing the item, the Director of Community and Children’s Services highlighted three points:

• The data within the report highlighted a decline in pupil numbers at primary level that would eventually feed through to secondary levels. The City had already taken action regarding this with an application for secondary provision at Shoreditch Park being withdrawn in light of this data.
• Parental preference was an important factor in admission numbers and although this had been positive for many academies, there were some where this was declining. With competition in the area increasing this would need to be prioritised.
• Lower admission numbers were problematic due to the funding received for each pupil. If the number of pupils decreased too significantly, this could result in budgetary cuts which could include a reduction in staff.

Members welcomed the report but felt that the issue should be monitored closely and reported back to the Board again at a later date.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.