School Expansion Programme
Our School Expansion Programme (SEP) has been successfully meeting the borough’s increased demand for extra primary school places by constructing new buildings, classrooms, specialist facilities and play spaces. Works to expand and improve primary schools began in 2010, and the multi-million pound expansion programme has provided over 8,000 additional, permanent school places for local children.
Our future plans to create additional school places ensure that we will continue to meet demand into the next decade. Our current strategy focuses on delivering much-needed special school places for children of all ages across the borough, by increasing capacity in special schools and providing new and improved school buildings with modern facilities. New facilities such as specialist sensory rooms and life skills teaching accommodation will benefit special needs pupils with a personalised, supportive education. This will provide all special needs pupils with access to broad curriculums and the opportunities they need to thrive.
We work closely with construction companies to ensure schools are able to continue to deliver the curriculum whilst minimising disruption to local communities. Our consultation and engagement activities ensure that parents, staff, pupils and local residents are kept aware of all stages of an expansion project.
The SEP team ensure that up to date information on project progress is available. For more information, email schoolexpansions@enfield.gov.uk or contact them on 020 8379 5364.
As well as Enfield’s School Expansion Programme, additional provision is being delivered through new, free school academies, supported directly by the Department for Education. We are working in collaboration with all partners in delivering places to meet demand.
Minchenden School
We have developed proposals for a specialist educational facility for children with autism, after acquiring the site at Minchenden from Barnet and Southgate College. We intend to re-develop the northern section of the site to have modern facilities for secondary autism provision to meet the complex needs of students.
The new school will provide places for 120 pupils for Year 9 to 11, and post-16 pupils (aged 14 to 18), expanding specialist autism provision across all age groups in Enfield. This will address the acute need within the borough.
The proposals comprise refurbishment and modification of existing buildings on site to provide modern education facilities. The Farbey Building will be refurbished and remodelled for school accommodation, including a small extension. The Mews Building will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide a sixth form common room, as well as overnight stay/life skills teaching accommodation to help prepare pupils for living on their own. An open sided workshop will be remodelled to provide additional required school accommodation.
Vehicle and pedestrian access to the new school will be improved by provision of an additional route into the site from Leigh Hunt Drive as well as improving access from the High Street. The school will have 28 car parking spaces on-site and space for four minibuses with access via the existing public car park.
We are committed to supporting the needs of all our young people and believe that this proposal provides an opportunity to ensure that they have access to an outstanding learning environment at the most appropriate location for their needs.
The development of the school will only proceed if planning permission is gained. You can use the online planning register to view and formally comment on the planning applications and view documents.
West Lea School
The above is a computer-generated impression of the proposed West Lea School building and campus.
West Lea School provides 'Learning for Life' for pupils aged 4 to 19 with special educational needs.
New developments at the School's Haselbury Road campus will increase the capacity of the site by over 50% up to 160 pupils with works due to start in autumn 2017.
The first phase of the development plans involves the partial demolition of existing accommodation, building a 2-storey teaching block, newly defined pedestrian and vehicular access, car parking, and a new entrance to the school.
The second phase will start once these initial works are complete and includes building a new single storey teaching block, a new larger dining hall, an extension to the existing gym, new play areas and outside seating areas. The existing buildings will be refurbished including new flooring and toilets.
Special needs pupils will benefit from modern facilities that will encourage high quality teaching and equip them with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
All works are expected to be completed by autumn 2020.
Orchardside School
Following planning approval in November 2015, plans to develop a new purpose built school in Bullsmoor Lane have begun.
Orchardside School will have up to 100 students and will provide facilities for the Secondary Tuition Service which currently operates across three sites across the borough. The service is rated outstanding by Ofsted.
The students who will attend Orchardside will benefit from a more personalised supportive educational setting outside of mainstream schools, with a broad curriculum and the opportunity for the students to take GCSEs.
Improving the accommodation and facilities will allow for a wider range of practical-based courses including specialised teaching spaces and increased outdoor sports and play facilities. This is in line with recommendations from Ofsted.
The key features of the proposed design:
- A predominantly single-storey, traditionally constructed building with a 2-storey hall
- 12 classrooms, 4 practical spaces (mostly science labs), learning resource spaces (library and ICT), hall, kitchen and dining room, medical and support spaces, staff areas (reception, offices and staff room) plus ancillary accommodation (toilets, changing and storage)
- The site will cover 2500sqm
- 29 staff and visitor car parking spaces will be provided. Parking will be contained within a secure site with a swipe card entry system, speaker and camera access.
The new school is designed to minimise the visual impact of the buildings and contribute to the surrounding heritage. Conservation officers have advised that the impact to the area is reduced by placing the 2-storey school hall at the front of the site. The remaining buildings are single-storey to minimise intrusiveness. The site also benefits from a number of trees, which act as a screen to the buildings.
The development of a multi-use games area has been proposed and will form a separate planning application.
Access to Orchardside will be from Bullsmoor Lane via 3 entry and exit points, 2 for vehicles and 1 for pedestrians. Existing vehicle parking on Bullsmoor Lane adjacent to the site will be unaffected. Cycle parking will be provided in accordance with planning policy. In addition to the existing traffic calming measures it is proposed that a raised table be installed to provide a safe place for school users to cross.
View details of the planning application.
Demolition of existing buildings and enabling work are being undertaken by Randall Contracting. For more information, contact them on 020 3780 3943.
Laurel Park School
Statutory Notice of Decision
Laurel Park School 6th Form Proposal
Introduction
Enfield Council undertook a public consultation about a proposal for Laurel Park School to add a post-16 vocational offer to the current provisions. This report summarises the consultation process and the responses that were received.
The council has considered the consultation responses, as well as other information, in taking a decision on the proposal. The next stage in this process is to publish a Statutory Notice in accordance with The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013. This report would form part of that Statutory Proposal.
Consultation process
The consultation considered the proposal from Laurel Park School for a new post-16 vocational offer.
The consultation period was for four weeks, from 1 December 2023 to 12 January 2024.
There was a single consultation document that was mainly posted on all the council’s digital media platforms and school website and also sent to a wide range of stakeholders. Annex 1 provides the list of stakeholders who were sent the document. The list of stakeholders reflects the school organisation guidance from the Department for Education.
No in person consultation meeting was held in this instance. This report includes the responses received as part of this consultations - Annex 2.
Individuals, groups of individuals, or organisations were able to respond to the consultation by sending their response to the Head of Strategic Resourcing and Partnerships - Education, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XQ or via email to Neil Best, neil.g.best@enfield.gov.uk.
All consultation responses were reviewed. Quantitative information was analysed to ascertain who had responded, for example, pupils, staff, parents and residents.
Who responded?
The table below outlines the written responses to the consultation. These include responses submitted online or on paper as well as by email or letter.
| Pupil | Staff | Governor | Parent | Local resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
There were 4 responses in total in relation to the consultation - 2 from residents, one from a governor of Laurel Park School and the last one from a parent.
Were the responses supportive of the proposal?
The table below outlines the responses from the stakeholder categories identified.
| Type of response | Unique responses | Governor | Parent | Local resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongly in favour | 2 | |||
| In favour | 1 | 1 | ||
| Oppose | ||||
| Strongly oppose |
All the responses were in favour of the new post-16 vocational offer
Decision
Following the official consultation period, the council has decided based on all information present that Laurel Park School’s proposal to establish a post-16 Vocational offer to provide T level courses have been approved without modification.
Enfield Council’s decision was primarily based on the following guidelines.
- Program Design: The structure and design of the T Levels program align with industry standards and educational objectives. The emphasis on practical skills development and real-world application resonates well with the essence of T Levels.
- Industry Collaboration: The commitment to forging strong partnerships with relevant industries is commendable. These connections should enhance the experiential learning opportunities for students and ensure the program’s relevance in the current job market.
- Resource Planning: The detailed resource planning, encompassing facilities, equipment, and instructional materials, indicates a thorough understanding of the requirements for a successful T Levels implementation. This reflects a keen understanding of the evolving educational landscape, and the acknowledgement and support for these initiatives should provide a dynamic learning environment.
- Community Engagement: The emphasis on fostering community engagement through extracurricular activities, outreach programs, and partnerships with local organizations resonates with the commitment to developing responsible and engaged citizens.
Copies of the complete proposals with this statutory notice and final decision will be published on the council's website at www.enfield.gov.uk and The School Hub. For further enquiries, email Neil Best, neil.g.best@enfield.gov.uk.
Signed: NEIL BEST Neil Best (Head of Strategic Resourcing and Partnerships)
Signed: PETER NATHAN Peter Nathan (Director of Education)
Annex 1: List of stakeholders
The consultation document was available online throughout the consultation period on the Enfield Council website and the School Hub.
Links to the consultation document were shared by the council to the following stakeholders:
- The Governing Body and Headteacher of all state-funded schools in Enfield (including primary, secondary, and special maintained schools, academies, and free schools)
- All institutions providing further education in the borough
- All Councillors of Enfield Council
- Neighbouring councils (Barnet, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Hertfordshire, and Essex)
- The parents of all pupils at a school and staff
- The faith organisations who act as the foundation for state-funded faith schools in the borough (Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster, London Diocesan Board for Schools (Church of England), the United Synagogue)
Annex 2: Responses received as part of this consultations
Respondent 1: response received on 28 November 2023
I have read the proposal for a sixth form offering t-levels at Laurel Park school and am writing to express my strong support. I am a social worker and child mental health professional. I consider that there is a need for Enfield to offer a range of educational options for young people from the diverse local community. The opportunity for some students to remain in the same educational setting throughout their school life will be a huge benefit, especially for the most vulnerable students. With a mental health crisis amongst young people and a huge rise in those struggling to attend school and engage in learning, now is the time to be developing a broad and inclusive offer.
Respondent 2: response received on 19 December 2023
I would like it noted that I strongly support this proposal. The new Head is doing an outstanding job of leading the school, staff and pupils, and the opportunities this proposal would provide for students cannot be underestimated. It is a wonderful community school with dedicated staff and lovely students. There is currently no other post 16 vocational pathway within the area, or even within the borough, as far as I am aware. Enfield/local young people who want to study vocational courses have to travel to Haringey and Barnet to access the courses they want, and this will also be the case for my child, who is currently a pupil at Laurel Park School. I am an Enfield resident and live locally to the school. All other current 6th form provision in the borough focusses on an academic pathway (A levels), which do not meet the needs of all young people in the borough.
This is an opportunity for Enfield to demonstrate its commitment to being fully inclusive, by taking this fantastic opportunity to have an excellent school provide a vocational post 16 pathway for those Enfield students who wish to pursue it. For some students, the option of remaining local to continue their studies or training is a strong factor in their decisions about what to do and where to go, and this proposal would be able to support those students too. I strongly support the proposal and hope to see the proposed plans come to fruition. It will be an asset to Enfield and it’s young people, and to the local area. The Head and school community deserve some recognition for the ongoing amazing work that is already going on within the school, and I am convinced this provision, if it goes ahead, will be an extension of that, and will offer an excellent opportunity for young people to develop and succeed.
Respondent 3: response received on 19 December 2023
I write as a governor at Laurel Park School to support the proposal to establish a post 16 vocational offer. Given the number of students currently leaving the borough for vocational courses, it feels that Laurel Park School is ideally situation to offer this provision in-borough. With our new, dynamic headteacher in place, it would undoubtedly encourage many students to continue their education in a supportive environment which has a real opportunity to make a difference to their lives. We know from conversations that have taken place within the school that the thought of leaving Laurel Park is sometimes an intimidating one for our students. On a practical level, Laurel Park School has the space, the drive and the desire (from the young people, the staff and the governors) for this provision. I myself work in the theatre sector and know that vocational studies are becoming increasingly important for us - there should be multiple routes into not just this sector but many others. An academic route is not for everyone; nor is the path to university always a viable one given the financial commitment required. I know that the world of theatre is working hard to attract new employees from diverse backgrounds, and we would welcome applicants with the sort of skills that the proposed courses would facilitate. I hope that you will support the proposal which I believe can only have a positive impact on our young people, the school, and the borough of Enfield.
Respondent 4: response received on 21 December 2023
I am writing in support of the proposed expansion of Laurel Park School. I am a parent governor at the school and both as a parent and a governor I have witnessed at first hand the transformation that has taken place over the last year. As a parent, I have seen first-hand the opportunities offered by the school to their students such as the introduction of a fortnightly enrichment afternoon this year. In previous years my son was afforded the opportunity to debate against other (often prestigious) schools as well as participate in a mock trial competition. My daughter is enjoying the aforementioned enrichment afternoons. In short it is a changed school and deserves praise and recognition of that fact. As a governor I see at first hand the drive, determination and passion of the headteacher and the senior leadership team to do the absolute best for the students in their care and the school. As the proposal states, a substantial percentage of last year's GCSE students felt the need to seek further education opportunities outside of the borough. We know from research done within the school that a number of those students would have stayed on at Laurel Park had the opportunity been available. We believe there is a shortage of Enfield schools offering post 16 vocational courses. and also know that at present East Barnet school is the nearest institution planning on introducing a wide variety of T-levels. Therefore, having a provision like this in Palmers Green will give local students (from both Enfield and Haringey) looking for a more vocational post GCSE education an option near home and within Enfield. A number of our students join the school in Years 10 and 11, often new to the country. A number of those would have definitely benefitted from being able to continue the education at Laurel Park, rather than moving to another school so soon after arriving in a new country. Every time I go into the school I am impressed by the progress that has been made, by the feedback the school receives about its pupils from members of the public, and by the vision and drive of all the staff and pupils to improve and build on the existing successes of their school. Staff in the school are genuinely invested in their pupils' progress, and where required bespoke programmes are put into place to help those that need them. Enabling the school to provide this sort of environment and education post-16 in an area suffering a shortage of vocational education could only be a positive thing and would help secure the future of this great school. I would therefore strongly encourage you to allow the school expansion to proceed.
View the Laurel Park Business and industry centre proposal (PDF, 445.74 KB).
Statutory notice of decision – Oakthorpe Primary School
Proposal to establish a specially resourced provision
Introduction
Enfield Council undertook a public consultation about a proposal for Oakthorpe Primary School to establish a specially resourced provision (SRP) for pupils with autism and complex needs from January 2025.
The proposed SRP will have 8 additional local authority places for pupils in Key Stage 2 with education, health and care plans, in agreement with parents and carers. Local authority places will be allocated by the LA’s SEN Service after formal consultation with the school.
This report summarises the consultation process and the responses that were received.
The council has considered the consultation responses, as well as other information, in deciding on the proposal. The next stage in this process is to publish a statutory notice in accordance with The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013. This report would form part of that statutory proposal.
Consultation process
The consultation considered the proposal from Oakthorpe Primary School for an SRP offer.
The consultation period was for 4 weeks, from 7 October 2024 to 8 November 2024.
There was a single consultation document that was mainly posted on all the council’s digital media platforms and school website, and physical copies placed outside school premises.
No in person consultation meeting was held in this instance. This report includes the responses received as part of this consultation. (Annex 1).
Individuals, groups of individuals, or organisations were able to respond to the consultation by sending their response to jeffreyjoib.mensah@enfield.gov.uk with 'Response to Statutory Proposal' in the subject line, or by completing the Oakthorpe Primary School feedback form.
All consultation responses were reviewed. Quantitative information was analysed to ascertain who had responded (carers, staff, parents or residents).
Who responded?
The following table outlines the written responses to the consultation. These include responses submitted online.
| Unique responses | Public | Parent | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
There were 3 responses in total in relation to the consultation, 1 from a member of public, 1 from a head teacher at another school, and 1 from a parent.
Were the responses supportive of the proposal?
All the responses were in favour of the new SRP for pupils with autism and complex needs.
Decision
Following the official consultation period, the council has reviewed all available information and approved Oakthorpe Primary School’s proposal to establish an SRP for pupils with autism and complex needs. This includes 8 additional local authority places for Key Stage 2 pupils with EHCPs, in agreement with parents and carers, without any modifications.
Enfield Council’s decision was primarily based on the priorities within its SEND Strategy (2023 to 2027) (PDF, 1657.19 KB), to identify needs early and provide the right support, in the right place at the right time.
This means making sure all our children and young people receive an excellent education, and their needs are effectively met in an education setting or environment that is right for them.
To support this, we are using our data and knowledge to accurately plan the right number of places. This includes increasing the number of SRPs and designated units (Units) in mainstream schools to meet high demand for places.
You can find further information about SRPs and Units in the Position Paper for Specialist Provisions (PDF, 1463.91 KB).
Copies of the complete proposals with this statutory notice and final decision will be published on this website and The School Hub, or email office@oakthorpe.enfield.sch.uk for more information. For further enquiries, please email jeffreyjoib.mensah@enfield.gov.uk.
Signed: Neil Best (Head of Strategic Resourcing and Partnerships)
Signed: Peter Nathan (Director of Education)
Statutory notice of decision – Firs Farm Primary School
Proposal to establish a specially resourced provision
Introduction
Enfield Council undertook a public consultation about a proposal for Firs Farm Primary School to establish a specially resourced provision (SRP) for pupils with autism and complex needs from September 2024.
The proposed SRP will have 8 local authority places for pupils with education, health and care plans, and 2 discretionary places for pupils who are currently on roll at the school, in agreement with parents and carers. Local authority (LA) places will be allocated by the LA’s SEN Service after formal consultation with the school.
This report summarises the consultation process and the responses that were received.
The council has considered the consultation responses, as well as other information, in deciding on the proposal. The next stage in this process is to publish a statutory notice in accordance with The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013. This report would form part of that statutory proposal.
Consultation process
The consultation considered the proposal from Firs Farm Primary School for an SRP offer.
The consultation period was for 4 weeks, from 9 May to 7 June 2024.
There was a single consultation document that was mainly posted on all the council’s digital media platforms and school website, and physical copies placed outside school premises.
No in person consultation meeting was held in this instance.
Individuals, groups of individuals, or organisations were able to respond to the consultation by sending their response to jeffreyjoib.mensah@enfield.gov.uk, with 'Response to Statutory Proposal' in the subject line, or by completing the Firs Farm Primary School feedback form.
Who responded?
There were no responses in relation to the consultation.
Decision
Following the official consultation period, the council has decided based on all information present, that Firs Farm Primary School’s proposal to establish an SRP for pupils with autism and complex needs, with 8 local authority places for pupils with EHCPs and 2 discretionary places for pupils who are currently on roll at the school, in agreement with parents and carers have been approved without modification.
Enfield Council’s decision was primarily based on the priorities within its SEND Strategy (2023 to 2027) (PDF, 1421.83 KB), to identify needs early and provide the right support, in the right place at the right time.
This means making sure all our children and young people receive an excellent education, and their needs are effectively met in an education setting or environment that is right for them.
To support this, we are using our data and knowledge to accurately plan the right number of places. This includes increasing the number of SRPs and designated units (Units) in mainstream schools to meet high demand for places.
You can find further information about SRPs and Units in the Position Paper for Specialist Provisions (PDF, 1463.91 KB).
Copies of the complete proposals with this statutory notice and final decision will be published on this website and The School Hub, or email office@firsfarm.enfield.sch.uk for copies. For further enquiries, please email jeffreyjoib.mensah@enfield.gov.uk.
Signed: Neil Best (Head of Strategic Resourcing and Partnerships)
Signed: Peter Nathan (Director of Education)