Does the LA have ideas as to the size of schools they wish to create under BSF?
A. Guidance from the DfES does show the minimum school size that they feel will provide all pupils with appropriate facilities to have full access to a varied curriculum. For some smaller schools, sharing sites would provide sufficient pupil numbers to justify a full range of facilities. Factors such as the age, needs and travel times of pupils are taken into consideration especially in rural areas. Bringing a wider age or needs range on to one site or co-locating two small schools may enable BSF funding to be accessed. Unfortunately in many cases retention of very small secondary schools, especially if numbers are falling, may preclude access to BSF funding for improved facilities. Halton will argue the case for retaining smaller schools where appropriate to the DfES but will also seek to maximise the range of facilities and opportunities available to students in a given area.
