Consultation
A 6-week period of consultation ended on 31 March 2023 on the proposal to make a prescribed alteration to Egerton High School, a community special school. The proposal is to alter the upper age range from 16 years to 18 years to add sixth form provision. The published admission number for the sixth form will be 8, providing 16 places in total for pupils aged 16 to 18 years.
We invited all interested parties to take part in shaping the proposal with an opportunity to submit comments and ideas for consideration. Information was sent to all parents and staff members, and the proposal was announced on the school's website. Meetings for parents and pupils were held at the school.
We received no responses to the consultation.
We decided to alter the upper age range on a temporary basis from September 2023, whilst we followed the prescribed statutory process to propose a permanent change.
Consultation information
Full proposal and statutory notice
The next stage of the process was publication of a statutory notice on 5 October 2023, which started a four-week period of representation during which time stakeholders were invited to object to the proposal or make comments. We received no responses to the consultation.
Proposal to alter the upper age range to add sixth form provision
Notice is given, in accordance with section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, that Trafford Council, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH, intends to make a prescribed alteration to Egerton High School, a community special school, Kingsway Park, Urmston, M41 7FZ.
The proposal is to alter the upper age range from 16 years to 18 years so as to add sixth form provision. It is proposed that the sixth form provision will operate from a satellite site at Brentwood Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, WA14 1SR. The satellite site is a shared site with Trafford Alternative Education Provision, a local authority-maintained pupil referral unit.
We do not consider that there will be any adverse impact on the community.
School capacity
The current maximum funded places for Egerton High School are 60, covering the age range 11 to 16 years.
It is proposed that the age range will be changed from 11 to 16 years to 11 to 18 years. The additional sixth form will provide a total of 16 additional places for pupils aged 16 to 18 years. It is proposed that the sixth form would take up to 8 pupils in school year 2023/24, building up to the maximum of 16 pupils in school year 2024/25.
Additional site
It is proposed that the sixth form provision will operate from a satellite site at Brentwood Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, WA14 1SR. The satellite site is a shared site with Trafford Alternative Education Provision, a local authority-maintained pupil referral unit. The site is separated so that Egerton Sixth Form and Trafford Alternative Education Provision will operate as separate education establishments.
Objectives
The proposal will support the local authority's sufficiency strategy for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It will specifically offer post-16 education places for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs. It will increase choice for young people with SEND. The provision will allow pupils who attend Egerton High School to choose to stay on in sixth form, as well as offering places to other pupils in the area with these types of needs.
We believe that all Trafford children and young people should have their needs met, as far as possible, in their local community. We want our children and young people to be supported and empowered to make good educational progress and move on more easily to the next stage of their education and later into employment and independent adult life. The proposal contributes to these strategic objectives.
Admission Arrangements
Admission to Egerton Sixth Form will be via the statutory education, health and care plan process for pupils with SEND.
Consultation
We consulted on these proposals for six weeks.
Project Costs
Sufficient accommodation is available for the sixth form provision on the satellite site and no capital costs are anticipated.
Outcome and Final Decision
The final decision was taken on 6 November 2023 to permanently alter the upper age range to 18 years and to deliver the sixth form from the satellite site.