Agenda item

The Committee considered a report outlining a proposal to relocate Ysgol Heol Goffa to a new site and increase its capacity from 75 to 120.

Ysgol Heol Goffa is a special school located in Llanelli and is maintained by the  County Council. The school caters for 75 pupils between the ages of 3-19 years old who have severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties.  All pupils have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Individual Development Plan.  Ysgol Heol Goffa was currently over-subscribed and this trend was likely to continue for the foreseeable future as there was an increased demand for places which was putting significant pressure on the Local Authority to place pupils. The current capacity of Ysgol Heol Goffa was 75 with 101 pupils on roll as at January 2020.  As a result, the Authority was currently developing a scheme to increase the capacity of Ysgol Heol Goffa to 120 places by providing a new school with facilities fit for the 21st Century on a new site. The proposed new site was located next to the recently completed Ysgol Pen Rhos.

A formal consultation exercise was undertaken from 21^st September 2020 to the 1^st November 2020, the results of which were detailed in the report.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·         Concern was expressed that perhaps the proposed expansion wasn’t big enough to future proof the school, bearing in mind the obvious need for the provision in the area. The Head of Access to Education explained that with every MEP scheme officers try to project forward.   The Authority is receiving 75% grant funding towards the cost of the scheme, however, it was not possible to use this to provide extra places.  It would be very difficult to justify an increase in provision to the WG.  Officers are confident that the figure of 120 is pitched just right;

·         It was pointed out that the attendance figure at the school is already 101 and officers were asked if it would be possible to extend the school in the future if needed.  The Head of Access to Education explained that over the past few years when a new school has bene built, the possibility of future expansion has been built in;

·         Reference was made to the lack of detail contained in the Quality Impact Assessment (QIA).  The Head of Access to Education explained that a corporate template is used for the QIA.  He would take the comments on board and if more rationale needs to be include rather than “no comment” then that will be done;

·         Reference was made to the fact that in Ammanford and Carmarthen this provision is located in secondary schools to facilitate an easier integration into mainstream education easier, however, the provision in Llanelli was a separate school and the importance was stressed of the children being able to mix with their peers and provided with every opportunity to enter maintstream education.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

11.1    that the report be endorsed;

11.2    to recommend to the Executive Board the publication of a          Statutory Notice.