Government funding blow for planned Swindon schools

The Government has decided not to proceed with free school funding for two planned schools in the New Eastern Villages (NEV).
The proposed schools at Great Stall East and Lotmead were intended to support growing demand for places in line with significant housing development in the area.
Now Swindon Borough Council says it faces a £55.3m funding shortfall to deliver both schools itself.
Cllr Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “We are incredibly disappointed by the Department for Education’s decision not to move forward with two of the free schools in the New Eastern Villages, particularly given the clear and growing demand for school places in this part of Swindon.
“This decision creates additional pressure in an area where schools are already operating close to capacity and, in some cases, are planning expansion works to meet future need. It is therefore essential that we act quickly to address the implications.
“Our priority is to ensure every child in Swindon can access a good local school place. We are actively working through the implications of this decision and putting in place mitigations to maintain sufficiency as our communities grow.
“This includes working closely with schools, academy trusts and the Department for Education to explore a range of options and identify the most sustainable solutions.
“In the meantime, with demand for school places continuing to grow, including SEND school places, we hope that the Government will rethink its decision not to proceed with the two new free schools in the New Eastern Villages. 
"Especially when the Government expects us to meet housing targets which will result in higher pupil numbers.”
The council is reviewing the impact of the decision on its wider place planning strategy, both across the New Eastern Villages and the rest of the Borough, to ensure there continues to be sufficient school places for local families.
As part of this work, the council says it is considering several potential measures, including:
- working with existing schools to explore increases to Published Admission Numbers (PAN) where this is feasible and educationally sustainable
- progressing planned expansions or adaptations to existing school buildings where additional capacity can be created
- continuing discussions with the Department for Education on capital schemes, including the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) - a national initiative to fund major rebuilds and refurbishments of school buildings - with local projects at Lawn Manor Academy, Wroughton Infants and Highworth Warneford, alongside exploring further opportunities to increase provision
- reviewing sufficiency planning assumptions in light of housing growth and updated pupil forecasts, including whether further capital solutions may be required
 

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