Decision details

The County Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient primary and secondary school places for all children who need a place. As part of the secondary school curriculum, Physical Education is a core subject and suitable provision is required to ensure a wide range of sport can be offered to ensure children are given the best start in life.

Forest School in Horsham accommodates over 1000 pupils aged 11-16 and has a mix of indoor PE provision (sports hall, activity hall) and external provision (grass pitches and multi-use games area.

In July 2020 the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills approved the capital budget required to facilitate an expansion of the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School (QEII School) in Horsham with the additional accommodation to be located partly on playing fields used by Forest School (Decision ES02(20/21) refers). To mitigate the impact of this on the sports provision for pupils attending Forest, an initial capital budget was identified to undertake design work for the provision of an all-weather pitch at Forest School.

Section 106 funds in excess of the budget sought to provide an all-weather pitch have been received. The condition of the associated agreements is such that the funds can only be used on projects at Horsham Secondary Schools.

The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills has

(1)Approved the allocation of £1.080m from received Section 106 funds to fund the All Weather Pitch as detailed in paragraph 2.1 of the report and commencement of a procurement process for the delivery of works at Forest School in Horsham as detailed in this report, and

(2)Delegated authority to award the contract for carrying out the works detailed in the report to the Director of Property and Assets.

None