County Cllr Roger Gough in attendance to answer questions about Children, Young People and Education.

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor Roger Gough, the Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education who gave a presentation on the provision of education within the district, including the provision of school places, standards, performance and intake. Mr. Gough referred to the Kent Commission Plan for Education Provision which laid out expected changes in school demand and strived to ensure every child in Kent would be offered a school place. So far the report had been fairly accurate in relation to year R and year 7, just falling short of the expected forecast in Sevenoaks with pockets of high demand in popular schools and areas.

Members were advised that there were only three public schools in Sevenoaks, and none were grammars despite many Sevenoaks children attending grammars. The introduction of the Weald of Kent Grammar Annexe will help to alleviate this however children were traveling out of district for both grammar and private schools in volumes that were disproportionate with the national average. It was noted a grammar provision in Sevenoaks was necessary to meet local demands.

Despite secondary school demands rising with increasing pressure for secondary expansion, primary remained steady with no expected significant increase.

Oasis, the Secondary academy in Hextable had now closed, with students being placed in other schools in the north of the district. 

Trinity School which opened in 2013, had been very well subscribed throughout a temporary expansion and was now committed to a permanent expansion.

Members were informed that on primary offer day almost 90% of parents were given their first preference with only 1.7% of students not getting a place in their top 3 schools in Sevenoaks. Patterns of localised demand in Sevenoaks (especially in Seal) were highlighted. It was noted that changes in demand were more manageable in primary schools, for both expansion and spare capacity.

Mr. Gough explained that successful Primary School admittance appeals were restricted by national class size limit. Grammar Schools filled up fast and appeals had a much higher success rate as there was discretion that could be applied to class size and situations.

An Ofsted report of schools in the district was largely positive, with only one school (in Edenbridge) being found inadequate. Sevenoaks grades were good in comparison with the rest of the County especially for KS1.

Members asked questions in relation to quantities of students at Tunbridge Wells Grammars travelling from outside of Kent County. Mr. Gough recognised this as an issue, especially for highly selective schools, and also the limited authority Kent County Council had in individual schools’ selection processes. Despite out of County applications almost doubling, acceptance rates had remained almost unchanged.

In response to questions around supporting secondary provision in Hextable, and considering a large volume of planning applications in the area, Members were advised that Orchards Academy remained slightly undersubscribed, however demand in the area would be closely monitored. Undersubscribed schools in the district were highlighted to be in Edenbridge (only 1/3 full), West Kingsdown, Hextable and Swanley St. Mary’s. Members discussed with Mr. Gough at what level of undersubscription schools were likely to close.

Members asked questions on the gender specific performance of students at Knole Academy following the move of Wildernesse students. Clarification was provided on the meaning of ‘bulge classes’ and flexibility on maximum class size.

Members wanted to ensure acceptable teacher staffing levels, and were advised that there were no problems recruiting staff but retaining was more problematic with noticeable shortages in rural primary schools.

Questions were included on the real cost of transporting students to out of district schools, with the young person’s ‘freedom pass’ having a total cost of around 20 million with £7-8 million being subsidised. Mr Gough confirmed he would provide this information. 

On behalf of the Committee the Chairman thanked Mr. Gough for attending.