School Organisation and Provision Planning
The co-ordination and management of all education place planning is located in the Children, Families and Communities (CFC) directorate of Worcestershire County Council.
The Council has a statutory duty to make sure there are enough childcare places to enable parents to take up or remain in work and training; to have free early years education for all eligible young children in their area; and undertake an assessment of the sufficiency of childcare places in its area at least every 3 years, with an annual update, and publish the assessments in the prescribed manner (Childcare Act 2006)
The Council also has a duty (under the Education Act 1996) to make sure there are enough school places for children and young people who live in the county and to make sure these places are of good quality with enough space to promote parental choice and diversity and to undertake an assessment of the sufficiency of school places in its area with annual updates.
The 2011 Education Act requires that, where a need for a new school is identified, the Council invites proposals to establish a free school, with the decision over whether to go ahead ultimately taken by the Secretary of State for Education.
Section 14 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on Local authorities (LA's) to secure educational provision made for pupils age 16 to 18 and over 19 years, and those with special educational needs.
Section 315 requires LAs to keep their arrangements for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision under review.
Guidance documents
Download the Worcestershire County Council School Organisation Plan 2019 (PDF)
Download the Local Investment Plan 2018 to 2019 (PDF)
Download the Policy on instigated a review on Small Schools in Worcestershire 2018 (PDF)
Download the Process for the Local Authority commissioning a new Free School in Worcestershire (PDF)
Download the Process for ensuring a sufficiency of places should an academy close (PDF)
Download the Capital Maintenance Programme 2018-2019 (PDF)
Links to external guidance
- Department for Education Guidance Securing Developer Contributions for Education - November 2019 (link opens in a new window)
- Department for Education Guidance School organisation (link opens in a new window)
- Government Legislation (link opens in a new window)
- Local Government Association 'The council role in school place planning' (March 2014) (link opens in a new window)
Contact School Organisation and Provision Planning
Email: PPA@Worcestershire.gov.uk