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AMP2011Schools 1 Education, Learning and Leisure Education, Learning and Leisure School Asset Management Plan Review 2011.
AMP2011Schools 1
Education, Learning and Leisure
Education, Learning and Leisure
School Asset Management Plan Review 2011.
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Purpose of Asset Management Plan (AMP) Review
The AMP will be updated annually to:
Confirm and review planned capital expenditure programmes; to verify core
data on condition, suitability, sufficiency and efficiency, taking into account
changing pupil numbers, completion of projects and relevant strategic plan
reviews.
1. 0 Introduction and Context
This review follows on from the Education, Learning and Leisure Schools
Strategy Document completed 19 December 2007, The Education Learning
and Leisure Asset Management Plan Review 2009 and the School Estate
management Plan 2009/10 (submitted to the Scottish Government May 2010)
and reflects the Aberdeenshire Corporate Asset Management Plan.
EL&L Core Activities comprise delivery of the following core functions:
• Pre-school education. • School education. • Educational Psychology Service. • Community Learning and Development. • Cultural Services. • Sports and Recreational Services.
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The Service’s current annual revenue budget as agreed by Full Council in
February 2011 stands at £248,622,000. The breakdown for each of the core
elements of the Service is:
BASE BASE ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
£'000 £'000 £'000 EDUCATION, LEARNING & LEISURE Administration and Management 17,169 8,524 7,790
Education & Learning- Nursery Education 11,002 11,333 10,939- Primary Education 88,743 86,251 86,417- Secondary Education 95,968 95,498 94,299- Special Education 31,295 32,944 32,409- Community Learning & Development 4,883 4,677 4,575
231,891 230,703 228,639Leisure- Arts Development 411 431 292- Visitor Attractions 938 956 542- Grant Aid 595 872 572- Libraries 4,442 4,308 4,148- Museums 560 610 520- Sports Development 395 383 288- Sports & Leisure Management - Client 5,946 5,994 5,831
13,287 13,554 12,193
EDUCATION, LEARNING & LEISURE TOTAL 262,347 252,781 248,622
1.1 Corporate ASSET Management and Education, Learning and Leisure Asset Management Plan
The revised Corporate Asset Management Plan submitted to
Committee in September 2010, considered the Council’s assets in much
broader terms. As well as adding details to the asset management
philosophy, to include issues such as maintenance and disposal, the plan will
be extended to incorporate a range of assets omitted from the original plan,
such as Parks/Open Spaces and ICT. A brief overview of Housing will also
be included, however recognising that this particular aspect is primarily driven
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by the Housing Business Plan.
The plan will be accompanied with an Asset Performance Report which will
identify asset condition, sufficiency and suitability of assets. The plan will also
outline the framework for future investments and disinvestment.
The Corporate Asset Management Plan has a corporate framework and
structure to address asset management at a corporate level. The framework
has been varied recently to ensure a high level focus is provided for this area
of activity. The reformatted Capital Plan and Asset Management Group was
established in February 2010. It is chaired by the Area Manager (Formartine)
with membership of the group including the Head of Property and Facilities
Management, the Head of Roads and Landscape Services, the Head of
Education (North), Head of ICT, Head of Older People and Disabilities, Head
of Protective Services and Waste Management, the Planning Gain
Coordinator and the Capital Plan Accountant.
1.2 The Education, Learning & Leisure Asset Management Plan Review 2010 has identified a number of priorities:
• To reflect Aberdeenshire Council’s key strategic priorities
• To ensure provision of fit for purpose 21st Century Education, Learning
& Leisure facilities within Aberdeenshire
• To address gaps in provision
• To capitalise on opportunities to share facilities to ensure best value,
e.g. Community, Recreational, Cultural and Educational
• To provide high-quality, low-maintenance, modern, eco-friendly facilities
that minimise revenue running costs wherever possible
• To rationalise and replace, as appropriate, buildings not fit for purpose
• A review of the “core fact” information
• The requirement by the Scottish Government for all Local Authorities to
put a School Estate Management Plan in place.
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1.3 Facilities
Education Learning and Leisure services are delivered through a network of
more than 400 facilities in communities across Aberdeenshire which includes:
• 84 Nursery units • 151 Primary schools • 17 Secondary schools • 4 Special schools • 55 Special needs units • 54 Community centres • 36 Libraries and 5 mobile libraries • 11 Museums • 14 Swimming pools • 7 Leisure centres • 3 Heritage centres
The Service wishes to ensure that every community has easy access to a
suitable place in which to access Education Learning & Leisure Services.
Wherever possible we wish to have high quality, low maintenance, modern,
eco friendly facilities either run directly or through supporting other providers
in appropriate locations throughout Aberdeenshire. To help achieve this the
Service considers its asset management programme in a holistic way thus
helping to ensure best value is achieved in its use of facilities. The asset
management plan examines requirements for a number of particular “family
groups”, however for future plans the format of this may be changed to reflect
the Council Policy of working in a more efficient way. Some requirements will
be met through stand alone provision but the opportunity for integrated
provision is also examined.
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2. 0 Service Asset Policy
To provide, in appropriate locations, high quality, low maintenance, modern, eco
friendly schools, matching pupil enrolments, suitable for delivering “high quality
education in the 21st century” with, as required to meet identified needs, linked
learning, leisure and partner facilities throughout Aberdeenshire wherever
possible minimising on revenue running costs.
The school estate management strategy and asset management adheres to the
agreed Committee principles of:
The Strategic Principles
The agreement of a set of minimum standards for the various elements of
educational buildings including, inter alia.
• Accommodation required to deliver the curriculum in accordance with modern
standards;
• Provision for pre-school and ante-pre-schools;
• Provision for pupils with additional support needs;
• Full compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act;
• Provision of on-site playing fields;
• Provision of on-site car and bus parking and turning areas, with good
segregation of pedestrians and vehicles;
• Provision of accommodation for non-teaching staff and for non-class contact
elements of the work of teaching staff;
• The incorporation of facilities, which promote the community schools agenda.
• In accordance with the identified needs of local communities, and to the extent
agreed with the relevant council services and public authorities, the
incorporation of facilities such as:
o Community Learning
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o Joint School and Community Libraries
o Recreation and Sport
o Social Work Family Centres
o Community Dental Surgeries
o Community Police Offices
Ensuring that the Local Plan takes full account of the needs of the
Education Learning & Leisure Service by:
• Advising the Planning Service of the areas in which school capacity is
available to meet the demand arising from new housing.
• Identifying the need for educational facilities, which are attributable to
proposed housing developments and quantifying the Planning Gain
Contributions required to meet the need.
• Matching Demand to Capacity retaining only a prudent margin for potential
roll increases.
• Restriction of the use of temporary accommodation to the solution of short-
term capacity problems.
• Phasing out the use of existing temporary accommodation as soon as
reasonably possible.
• Active management of outwith zone placing requests in support of
principles above.
• The identification of facilities for which there is no reasonable prospect of
there being brought up to the standards set out above, and to plan for their
replacement.
• Expenditure on facilities identified in the bullet point above will be restricted
to that necessary to maintain their condition and address Health and
Safety requirements.
Major capital expenditure will only be undertaken where it increases capacity at
schools which meet the Council’s standards or where it brings a school up to the
Council’s standards, in whole or in part.
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The revised Education, Learning & Leisure Service 5 Year Capital Plan (Appendix
1) priorities provide an opportunity to enhance the existing schools enabling some
critical refurbishment and health and safety issues to be resolved. Spending for
2011/12 for Primary and Secondary enhancement projects is £1,059,000 and
£958,000 respectively.
Accurate prioritization of projects into a timeline is extremely difficult to turn into
deliverable assets due to:
• Acquisition of a suitable site- A number of the major projects outlined in the
Capital Plan priorities require site acquisition and appropriate sites are
currently being investigated and actively pursued by colleagues in
Education, Learning & Leisure and Transportation and Infrastructure
(Property).
• Issue with land titles.
• Size and location of proposed housing developments.
• Amount of affordable housing.
• Available budget and Scottish Government constraints- Aberdeenshire
Council will now have to prioritize Capital Plan projects to ensure portfolio
of projects are delivered on time to secure the funding conditions.
• Decanting pupils issue during demolition.
To assist in keeping the school estate a viable asset and to meet the Council’s
standards, the monitoring and management of Minor Works plays a crucial part
and the budget to assist with this for 2011/12 is £536,000. Appendix 2 shows the
current estimated financial position (November 2011) on roofs over heads and
school enhancements.
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3.0 Changes in External Factors and Implications for Property
3.1 Internal
E-Procurement
There is currently work in progress regarding service maintenance contracts and
inspection regimes. A maintenance contract for PE equipment in primary and
secondary schools is being formulated with Procurement Service and a formal
contract is envisaged fro early 2012. Contracts for drama equipment; science
and technical machinery to follow and other facilities which require formalised
contracts will be pursued. All equipment in the schools is checked and
maintained by a private contractor until formalised contracts are established.
3.2 External
The Structure and Local Development Plans create changing populations and
place potential pressures on school capacities and infrastructure requirements.
The School Estate Strategy has a huge impact on the asset management
programme and will contribute towards achieving the Government’s
overarching Purpose, 5 Strategic Objectives and all 15 national outcomes. It is an
integral part of the Curriculum for Excellence focus on more effective learning
and teaching. It also supports the Government’s three frameworks to tackle
inequality: Early Years Framework, Equally Well and Achieving our Potential.
This Strategy also provides a key opportunity for local and Scottish
Government to demonstrate action in line with the new statutory duty placed on
public bodies by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 introduces a new era of year-on-
year reductions in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions and the need to
ensure that all services are resilient to the impacts of climate change.
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Scotland has a target of cutting emissions by 3.5% each year from 2020-2050
to make a fair contribution to tackling climate change. To help with this target,
the school estate is looking at more efficient ways of managing the following;
heating; water use; electricity; operating appliances; transport and carbon
dioxide output.
3.3 Class Sizes
The Scottish Education Secretary laid regulation to limit Primary One class sizes
at 25 on September 16, 2010. The Education (Lower Primary Class Sizes)
(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 may come into force October 11, 2010
and apply for the 2011-12 Academic Year. At the time of writing this report, no
firm decision has been confirmed. The EIS and The Scottish Government are
also asking Local Authorities to reduce class sizes to 18 for P1-P3 and is currently
one of the main driving forces in reducing the class size maxima in law. A
reduction in class sizes to 18 for P1-P3 will have an impact on both Capital and
Revenue Costs associated with the implementation.
3.4 School Roll Forecasts
School roll forecasts take as their starting point the current school population
and then attempt to identify how that population may change over time. In
doing so they take into account demographic factors such as birth and
migration rates and changes to the school roll arising from pupil yield from
new housing. They also build in information about school choices made
under the Parents’ Charter. In secondary schools staying-on rates for pupils
entering 5th and 6th year are calculated.
Finally, totals are compared to overall population forecasts for these age
groups in Aberdeenshire.
Information sources The main sources of information used in preparing the forecasts are:
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• the community health index which gives numbers of all children 5 years
and under in the various primary catchment areas. This information is
derived from GP lists.
• the results of the school census undertaken in the third week of
September each year
• data about the number of pupils admitted to each school under the
Parents’ Charter, i.e. pupils who do not attend the school of the
catchment area they live in
• staying-on rates for pupils who remain at school beyond the statutory
school leaving age
• the Housing Land Audit, which is prepared annually by the Planning
and Environmental Services Department and which provides the
number of expected house completions in school catchment areas
The two inputs in primary school forecasts which are the most difficult to
assess are the initial P1 entry and the number of pupils which is likely to enter
schools as the result of new house build. For P1 entry, data from the central
health register is used. This is data from a particular point in time. Whilst it is
the best data that is available which gives number of children at a particular
age and in a particular location, it can be subject to change over the time
period it is needed for. Forecasts for small primary schools can be strongly
influenced by movements of one or two families into or out of the catchment
area.
Projected new house build figures too can be problematic. These figures are
received from individual house builders and totalled for various areas. They
are subject to change as the economic position of the construction industry
changes. The present economic climate in particular makes it more likely that
projected house completions will differ from year to year.
Secondary school forecasts, too, are affected by new house build figures.
However, another input which can vary according to economic circumstances
is the staying-on rate for fifth and sixth years. This can be affected by general
economic circumstances, particularly the youth unemployment rate, and again
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can vary from year to year.
3.5 Building Regulations
3.5.1 Fire Suppression Systems
New legislation surrounding the use of fire suppression systems or sprinklers
in properties is now extended to extensions which could add considerable
costs to any proposed extension building.
3.5.2 Radon Gas
Radon is a natural radioactive gas. You cannot see, hear, feel or taste it. It
comes from the minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks
and soils. Radon is present in all parts of the UK, although the gas disperses
outdoors so levels are generally very low. However, geological conditions in
certain areas can lead to higher than average levels. Some of the highest
radon levels have been found in the southwest, but levels well above average
have been found in some other parts of the UK and Aberdeenshire.
Elevated levels of radon gas were discovered as part of planned monitoring at
Ballater School. The Health Protection Agency gave the Council six months
to deal with the problem which reflected the low level of risk involved. The
most effective way extracting radon from a property is to improve ventilation
and the normal method is by the installation of a mechanical sump pump.
The cost for this type of pump ranges from £300-500.
3.6 Government Funding Reductions
At present the UK Government has a deficit reduction of £83Billion.
Aberdeenshire Council has to identify savings of £42, 246,000 over the next
two years to balance revenue budgets for 2011/12 and 2012/13 and “doing
more with less” has become a common theme amongst all Councils.
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4.0 Service Delivery and Accommodation Needs
4.1 Primary Schools
The current economic crises and proposed government budget cuts for 2011
onwards will have an impact on service provision and the upkeep of the School
Estate. School projects will have to be aggressively prioritized to match need.
Planning for the future school estate needs to take in a range of future timescales
and objectives into account. For example, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act
2009 sets a target for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Funding arrangements involving revenue finance or other borrowing can often
extend over a 30 year period taking it up to 2040.
In real terms, it could take up to another 10 years (2020) to improve the condition
of all the schools which are still in poor and bad condition. Therefore, any capital
funding plans beyond 5 years will be more a statement of intent rather than a
detailed plan as neither the local nor Scottish Government can project resource
availability beyond 3 year spending reviews.
Aberdeenshire has ten primary schools in “Poor” category for “Condition” and
sixty-one primary schools in “Poor” category for “Suitability” (see section 6 for
Core Facts details 2010). This will require ongoing maintenance and
refurbishment to bring these schools up to 21st Century standard. However, in the
current economic situation, Education, Learning and Leisure has one new build
planned for a replacement MarketHill Primary School in Turriff (highlighted in
Section 5.1 & 5.2). In addition, Alford Primary School replacement has been
identified in the Aberdeenshire Council Capital Plan for 2010-2015.
In addition, especially in the current economic recession there are rationalization
opportunities highlighted for certain school network areas.
4.2 Secondary Schools
As stated above for the primary schools the current economic situation and
proposed government budget cuts for 2011 onwards will have an impact on
service provision and the upkeep of the School Estate. School projects will have
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to be aggressively prioritized to match need. The main priorities for secondary
schools for Aberdeenshire are:
1. Mearns and Ellon Academies (part funded by SFT) 2. Alford Academy- with Community Facilities
Section 5 covers these priorities in more detail.
Aberdeenshire has five secondary schools in “Poor” category “Condition” and
seven primary schools in “Poor” category for “Suitability” and one school in the
“Bad” category for Suitability (see section 6 for Core Facts details 2010). This will
require ongoing maintenance and refurbishment to bring these schools up to 21st
Century standard. However, Aberdeenshire Senior Management Team has been
requested to balance the revenue budgets for 2001/12 and 2012/13.
4.3 School Rolls
4.3.1 Aggregate School Rolls
The aggregate Aberdeenshire Primary School Rolls have fallen since 2001.
2001. In 2001, the aggregate Primary School Roll was 20,554. This fell to 19,113
in 2010. However, the forecast is set to rise from 2010 based forecast is
A difficult aspect of primary school roll forecasting is predicting intake to primary
stage P1. This is particularly true in settlements with more than one primary
school where the schools are relatively close together; where out of zone
admissions may become an issue and in small rural primary schools with
fluctuating rolls, forecasting is often problematic.
While forecasts are provided to 2016, it must be recognised that beyond 2013,
forecasts for individual schools are subject to greater uncertainty, and will be
influenced by land use policy decisions on the location of development which
have yet to be made.
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The Scottish Government has announced its intention to introduce a maximum
class size for P1-P3 of 18. It is not clear when this will be implemented in
Aberdeenshire and there is a current debate over the feasibility and administration
of this policy; due to costs, facilities, infrastructure, locations and teacher
recruitment.
The total aggregate Aberdeenshire Secondary School Rolls have fallen since
2001. In 2001, the aggregate Secondary School Roll was 15,549. This has fallen
to 14,887 in 2010 and is set to decline further to 13,886 by 2016.
From the Aberdeenshire School Network, in 2011 there were five secondary
schools over capacity and twenty-one primary schools over capacity. To help
address these issues, Aberdeenshire Council has a planned programme of
refurbishment and building work.
The five secondary schools over 100% capacity were (from 2011 Core Facts):
1. Aboyne
2. Alford- In capital plan for new campus build
3. Banchory
4. Kemnay- option appraisal required
5. Mearns- Part funding through SFT funding £11.5 million for “like for like”
replacement.
The remaining secondary schools at 80-99% capacity are as follows:
1. Ellon- part funding through SFT funding £22.5 million for “like for like”
replacement
2. Fraserburgh
3. The Gordon Schools
4. Inverurie
5. Meldrum (PPP)
6. Portlethen (PPP)
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7. Mackie
8. Turriff
9. Westhill
Banff Academy; Mintlaw Academy and Peterhead Academy are the only schools
under 80% occupancy.
Primary Schools Over Capacity (from 2011 Core Facts):
1. Alford 2. Auchenblae 3. Buchanhaven 4. Burnhaven 5. Crathes 6. Daviot 7. Drumoak 8. Dunottar 9. Easterfield 10. Forgue 11. Gordon 12. Kinellar 13. Kintore PPP 14. Laurenckirk 15. Logie Durno 16. Lumphanan 17. Markethill 18. Midmar 19. Newmachar 20. Premnay 21. Torphins
Primary Schools at 80-99% Capacity (from 2011 Core Facts):
1. Aboyne 2. Aleshousewells 3. Balmedie 4. Banff 5. Braemar 6. Crombie 7. Durris 8. Ellon 9. Elrick
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10. Fintry 11. Foveran 12. Gartly 13. Gourdon 14. Hatton (Fintry) 15. Hill of Banchory 16. Insch 17. Inverurie Market Place 18. Keithhall 19. Kemnay 20. Lairhilloch 21. Longside 22. Maud 23. Mill O Forest 24. Mintlaw 25. Old Rayne 26. Pitmedden 27. Rathen 28. Roseheartuy 29. Rothienorman 30. Slains 31. St Fergus 32. Strathburn 33. Strichen
Primary Schools at under 50% Capacity (from 2011 Core Facts):
1. Ardallie 2. Arnage 3. Bracoden 4. Clatt 5. Crathie 6. Crimmond 7. Dales Park 8. Drumblade 9. Echt 10. Fetterangus 11. Fettercairn 12. Fisherford 13. Fordyce 14. Inverallochy 15. Kennethmont 16. Kincardine 17. King Edward 18. Logie Coldstone 19. Longhaven 20. Port Elphistone 21. Skene
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22. Towie 23. Undy Green
4.4 School Rolls-Capacities-(Identified from 2011 Core Facts Information) The 2011 Core Facts information highlighted 23 (15% of school estate) primary
schools under 50% occupancy.
For the secondary schools, the 2011 Core Facts information highlighted; 5 (29%)
academies with over 100% capacity; 9 (53%) academies running at 80-99%
capacity and 3 (18%) running at under 80% occupancy.
In the current and predicted future economic climate, this level cannot be
sustained and there is an opportunity for Education, Learning and Leisure to
review the School Estate portfolio. There are Core Teams established to provide
assessment studies and option appraisals to inform Senior Management and
ultimately Elected Members on any portfolio review considerations.
4.5 Proposed School Closures
It is prudent for an Education Authority to keep its School Estate under review.
Inevitably, over a period of years, there will be demographic changes which may
mean that new schools have to be built in some areas or that some existing
schools in other areas are no longer as viable as they
once were. School buildings inevitably deteriorate over time and some can reach
the stage when replacement makes more economic sense than refurbishment.
Some buildings too are constructed in ways which make a meaningful 21st
Century education very difficult – i.e. they are not fully “fit for purpose”. Also, the
pupil roll in some schools can become too small for as meaningful an
education as possible to take place.
Our School Estate comprises many buildings of varying ages and conditions.
Although Aberdeenshire Council and its predecessor Education Authorities have
tried to invest sufficiently in the School Estate over many decades, inevitably –
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due mainly to funding constraints – the condition of some school buildings has
deteriorated. Similarly, the design of some school buildings, mainly older
buildings – is such as to make it difficult to deliver a modern educational
experience.
The suitability of these schools, or their “fitness for purpose”, is not ideal.
Appendix 1 details the categorisation of school building conditions as A, B, C or D
and fitness for purpose as A, B, C or D.
Condition of Building Fitness for Purpose* A Good A Good,
performing well and operating efficiently
B Satisfactory B Satisfactory, performing well with minor problems
C Poor C Poor, showing major problems and/or not operating optimally
D Bad D Bad, not supporting the delivery or service to children and communities
* In assessing fitness for purpose, five areas have been identified for all schools,
namely:
- learning & teaching (general) - internal social - internal facilities - external social - external facilities
It is possible for the pupil roll of a primary school to become so small as to make
educational provision of a sufficiently high standard difficult to deliver. If, for
example, there are very few children in roughly the same age group as one
individual child, that child may not be given the same opportunities as his/her
peers have available to them in larger schools. In addition, it can be difficult for
the very small number of teachers who are deployed in an exceptionally small
school to be able to provide the full range of expertise which a much larger group
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of staff could offer in a bigger school. However, it has to be acknowledged that
many parents who send their children to small primary schools do so through
choice, and that many of these same parents are very happy with the educational
provision which their children receive. High levels of parental satisfaction in cases
such as these are due in large part to the high level of skills and extremely heavy
commitment given by staff in these schools. It is therefore not particularly easy to
devise a minimum pupil roll below which a school would be non-viable. It is,
however, important to recognise that the nature of small schools can change
extremely quickly if one or two families move house – either into the school’s
delineated area or out of it. Such changes can sometimes lead to very significant
percentage increases or decreases in staffing levels – changes which staff,
parents and pupils can sometimes find extremely challenging.
The 2011 Core Facts information highlighted 23 (15% of school estate) primary
schools under 50% occupancy
In December 2010, Education, Learning and Leisure proposed the possible
rationalization of the school estate and asked for Committee approval to consult
on the following:-
That Clatt Primary School should close with effect from July 2011, that pupils
should transfer to Kennethmont Primary School and that the catchment area of
Kennethmont Primary School should be extended so that it subsumes the current
catchment area of Clatt Primary School;
That Logie Coldstone Primary School should close with effect from July 2011, that
pupils should transfer to Tarland Primary School and that the catchment area of
Tarland Primary School should be extended so that it subsumes the current
catchment area of Logie Coldstone Primary School.
The reasons behind the proposals to close the two small rural schools were as
follows:-
Very low pupil rolls
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Educational concerns regarding the cognitive and social development of pupils in
schools with small rolls
Cost per pupil is very high for Logie Coldstone and Clatt, therefore making these
schools economically ineffective.
Retention of unnecessary accommodation is a serious drain on the resources of
the Council
The educational benefits of school rationalization/amalgamation far outweigh
maintaining under-occupied schools and the receiving school is generally
enhanced.
In June 2011 The Scottish Government exercised “Ministerial Call-In” and blocked
the closure of any small rural schools, which will have a knock-on effect to
Aberdeenshire Council’s estate rationalization plans.
4.6 School Estate Consultation
A consultation to seek the views of communities on Aberdeenshire Council’s
school estate has been agreed by councillors and will run until February 2012.
A report outlining the review came before the authority’s Education, Learning
and Leisure Committee at a meeting at Woodhill House, Aberdeen (Thursday,
August 25).
The committee agreed in May that views should be sought on key principles
to be taken into account when considering the school estate, including
educational, economic and social factors.
Soon after the meeting, the Scottish Government announced a year-long
moratorium on the closure of rural schools.
The latest report highlighted the need for the council to keep its school estate
under review, taking account of demographic changes, the condition of
buildings, and the impact of key planning documents such as the Local
Development Plan.
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The moratorium provides the time to carry out detailed consultation with
communities, councillors were told.
The committee approved the launch of the consultation with schools, parents
and communities regarding the challenges and future requirements for the
school estate in Aberdeenshire.
Inevitably, over a period of years, there will be demographic changes which
may mean that new schools have to be built in some areas while some
existing schools in other areas are no longer as viable as they once were.
School buildings can deteriorate over time and some can reach the stage
when replacement makes more economic sense than refurbishment.
Some buildings are constructed in ways which make a meaningful 21st
Century education very difficult and as such the buildings are not fully “fit for
purpose”.
The pupil roll in some schools can become too small for as meaningful an
education as possible to take place, whereas some places in Aberdeenshire
are experiencing exceptional growth.
The consultation to gather local views will run in two stages until early spring
2012.
The first stage will take the form of a survey based on the guidelines
discussed by the committee in May, and will detail some of the pressures
affecting schools, with the aim of identifying local issues.
The survey will take account of such factors as the size of schools, distribution
of pupils within schools, capacity, condition of buildings, travel times, rural
grants and catchment areas. A total of 1,754 survey responses were completed
over the course of just over a month, with almost 70% by parents, carers or
grandparents of children attending Aberdeenshire schools.
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The second stage of the consultation involves a series of meetings and
events across Aberdeenshire to discuss those issues in more detail.
The outcome of the first stage of the consultation is expected to come back
before the committee in October, with a further progress report in December.
A final report and project plan will be presented to the committee next March
There are no proposals regarding the future of any individual schools at this
time, taking account of a year long Scottish Government moratorium on such
matters.
5.0 Management of School Accommodation
5.1 School Accommodation Issues
Identified below are the current school accommodation issues for the operational
areas for academic sessions 2011-2012.
Central/North Area.
Balmedie School
Balmedie School has a current roll of 373 (2010 based figures) and is forecast
to rise to 401 by 3013 and to rise steadily and peak at 428 in 2016. The
projected increase will necessitate a temporary classroom. Currently the
school is using one of the larger teaching areas and their small hall to teach
classes. There have been minor works alterations undertaken to enable this to
happen.
Further to this a two classroom extension is planned for 2012 and works
should be on site early summer 2012.
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Local Development Housing (LDP) allocations for 2017-2023 are 675 for
Balmedie and 600 for Blackdog- where the pupils are currently zoned to Balmedie
School. If these developments materialise an education pressure point will occur
in Balmedie.
Markethill School
Markethill School capacity is 355 with a 2011 roll of 429 (2010 based figures) and
this is set to rise to 471 by 2016. The school currently has two temporary
classroom units on site and is currently copping with the school’s roll. The roll is
projected to outgrow the current accommodation by 2016 and solutions are
currently being sought within the Capital Projects Group. Two stake-holder
meetings have now taken place and Architectural Services are assisting with new
school assessments.
Buchanhaven Buchanhaven Primary School is currently just over capacity and the issue is being
managed through internal re configuration. Plans are underway to create a two
classroom extension, funded by the Capital Plan and is projected to be complete
by August 2012.
Central Area
Market Place The current agreed capacity of Market Place School is 200. The current roll of
Market Place is 176. The school is therefore not over-capacity at the moment.
The initial phase of Uryside, 250 houses, has been built out and no further
development has yet been agreed. Therefore the most recent figures we have
from our planners suggest a steady growth of the Market Place roll until the next
AMP2011Schools 25
phase of Uryside begins. For example, for the coming session, assuming
everyone zoned for Market Pace comes to the school, we should see an increase
in the roll of 7 pupils for August 2012. At the moment our projected roll for August
2012 is therefore 183, again well within the agreed capacity. It is not until August
2014 that the projected roll will hypothetically breach the agreed capacity of 200.
However this assumes that all zoned pupils for Market Place attend the school.
Many Market Place parents choose to send their children to the other Inverurie
schools. In the last three years a total of 32 pupils, zoned for Market Place, have
chosen to be educated at other Inverurie schools. Assuming this trend continues,
it may well be 2015 before the 200 capacity is reached. For the last few years, as
part of our management strategy for the Market Place roll, we have operated a
very strict embargo on out of zone placements at Market Place School and this
will continue.
Given the above and with imaginative use of space and staffing in the school, we
are confident that the projected roll of Market Place School can be managed until
the opening of the new school. For example, if required, the school can combine
the P1 classes into the large classroom area of the ‘attached unit’ and have two
teachers in the room. This will release an extra classroom when one is required.
This will also allow for some flexibility on the agreed capacity of 200 and has
educational merit as a solution.
In addition, a total of £23,725 from the repairs & maintenance budget and minor
works has been spent on internal decoration and refurbishment; roof repairs and
playground renewal. This process will continue to ensure that no pupil at Market
Place School is disadvantaged.
Kinellar
Kinellar School roll currently sits at 293 (a predicted roll of 281 was forecast). The
children are organised into 12 classes. The school capacity is 230, however the
existing two temporary classrooms raises this to 295.
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The roll is predicted to continue to rise to 397 pupils by 2016 (2010 based
forecast) resulting in requirement for 15 class areas.
An additional two class areas are planned for August 2012 on the existing
campus within a double temporary accommodation unit (unlinked) located
adjacent to existing double temporary unit. There will be an impact on available
grass play areas/playing field on school campus.
There are current accommodation issues which create pressures on existing
facilities, such as dining hall, playground and delivery of PE. There will be
additional pressure as the projected rise in school roll continues.
A lack of available hall time results in the school not being able to meet the
recommended two hours of PE for every pupil. The Authority has committed to
enhance to the school’s own fundraising in order that the playground is resurfaced
and a netball court is provided.
There is one room available (currently used as an ICT suite) which will be utilised
as additional GP space once the school’s IT infrastructure is enhanced, allowing
for additional ICT provision in classrooms.
This session, delivery of certain aspects of the curriculum presents challenges
e.g. Music and Home Economics lessons have to be delivered in the School
Library. The provision of additional classrooms and the reallocation of GP space
will ease this for the next two sessions.
The school has a servery with food being delivered from Kemnay School.
Presently there are three lunchtimes which include 6 sittings due to the small
capacity of the dining hall. In total it takes 1½ hours to ensure all children have an
opportunity to eat. The Head Teacher will continue to review this as the roll
increases.
Two containers are to be located at the school to provide additional storage space for resources.
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Kintore (PPP)
School session August 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Pupil yield from house building 0 0 0 0 0 0Projected roll 566 597 615 637 656 667Capacity 415 415 415 415 415 415Working capacity 595 595 625 625 655 685Accommodation needed 0 1 0 1 1 1
In the medium term the role is predicted to rise by 90. There is a need, therefore,
for three standard 60m² teaching spaces to be created. However of the spaces
available, some would only generate sufficient space to accommodate class sizes
of 25. To accommodate 90 it is likely that four classes will be needed.
The service has noted that there is a future need for preschool places. This may
require one additional 70m² classroom.
General purpose space in the school is heavily timetabled. The school/community
cafeteria is presently used to provide additional dining space.
It is not possible to erect additional re locatable units within the school campus.
Siting addition units in the neighbouring playfield has been rejected as an option
because of the impact on pitch provision within the settlement and possible
difficulties in achieving planning consent.
Available accommodation Present
purpose Recommendation
GP Room Discovery 1* Music, drama
Retain, curriculum delivery
GP Room Discovery 2* Art , Home Ec.
Retain , Curriculum delivery
SFL Link Room 4* SFL delivery
Retain, used for small group work
AMP2011Schools 28
SFL link Room 5* SfL delivery
Retain, contains hoist
Ante Pre School Class* Playgroup
Possible additional full size classroom
ITC Suite* ICT delivery
Possible convert to 2 25 pupil classes
CLD Schoolhouse 1 and 2
CLD use
Possible convert to 2 25 pupil classes
CLD Playroom 2 Out of School Care only
Re site playgroup to share space
Family Centre Playroom Social work
Shared, bookable space SW/CLD
* Located in main school building
Proposals GP Discovery Room 1 and 2 are necessary for the delivery of the curriculum.
These spaces are used by visiting specialists and where delivery of the curriculum
requires clear floor space. The impact on the school, should these rooms be used
as classrooms, would be severe. It is recommended that these rooms are
retained as GP spaces.
Support for Learning Link Room 4 is used for small group work with children who
cannot maintain full time contact in their mainstream classes. Loss of this room
would lead to disruption of learning in some classes at various times in the day.
Support for Learning Link Room 5 contains a hoist for heavy handling. The hoist
will be needed from August 2012. Loss of this room would make meeting the
needs of some pupils with severe needs impossible. It is recommended that no
change is use is made to both SFL rooms.
AMP2011Schools 29
The Ante Pre School Teaching Area is presently occupied by Kintore Playgroup.
Social Care Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) have indicated
previously that there would be no difficulty in relocating the Playgroup in the CLD
Playroom 2. The impact on both the Playgroup and Out of School Care group
would be minimal. Both would be required to tidy equipment away at the end of
each session. This is routinely done in most playgroups or care clubs which meet
in, for example school or village halls. CLD Playroom 2 has appropriate toilet and
food preparation facilities. Entry into the building is good and Playroom 2 has
good access to a designated safe outdoor play area. There may be a need for
some additional storage.
The Ante Pre School Teaching Area could be used as an early years classroom
or to extend the existing nursery provision. It is recommended that this is
completed for August 2012.
CLD Schoolhouse 1 and 2 could generate two teaching areas. Sinks are in place
at both ends of the space. Some non slip flooring would be required. Access by
the public to the area could be restricted by securing the door leading off the
Family/Community Entrance.
At present CLD Schoolhouse 1 and 2 are used by user groups. There may be
scope to accommodate these groups in the Family Centre Playroom. It is
recommended that these adjustments are carried out from August 2014 or earlier
if further nursery teaching space is required.
The ITC suite could be converted into two small teaching areas. However the
central location of the room is not ideal. It looks onto the cafeteria area presently
used as overflow dining space. This space is noisy at certain times in the school
day. Staggered lunch times mean that the ITC suite teaching areas would be
occupied while lunch is being served to pupils from other classes. In addition the
ICT suite is accessed from the main corridor. Circulation round the building
currently is difficult. An additional 50 pupils in this area may compromise safe
movement at certain times of the day, both in the corridor and at the pupil
entrance to the school.
AMP2011Schools 30
Adjustments to the ICT Suite would be required. Existing ICT suite fixtures and
fitting would require to be removed, two sets of sinks and wet areas created and
additional storage built in. Computer equipment would require replacement. For
this reason it is recommended that the ICT suite is converted in 2015.
Newmachar The Education, Learning and Leisure Service are closely monitoring Newmachar
roll. The published capacity of Newmachar is 325, however there is a double
non-linked relocatable unit on site which yields another 60- pupil spaces taking
the capacity to 385 pupil spaces. The school roll is predicted to rise 375 by 2016.
Housing development to 2016 is for 150 units which could potentially produce 60
primary school pupils at 0.40 p/p/h ratio. In addition, there are two proposed sites
in then LDP for 190 units to 2016 and 375 units 2017-2023. There is £125K of
Planning Gain for Newmachar which can be used for the existing school for any
internal alternations to accommodate an influx of pupils or for the new school.
Newmachar PS is being considered as part of the Assessment Study process for
schools.
SSoouutthh AArreeaa
Laurencekirk Primary School Laurencekirk PS already over capacity - initial plans to form an extension
were put on hold last year as roll declined slightly and the school
management are monitoring the situation closely.
Lumphanan School
The actual roll of Lumphanan School is 89 and is forecast to rise steadily to a
peak of 91 in 2016. The capacity of the school is 71. Therefore additional
accommodation is required to meet statutory obligations. A permanent extension
is proposed at an estimated cost of £439k.
AMP2011Schools 31
55..22 EEdduuccaattiioonn,, LLeeaarrnniinngg aanndd LLeeiissuurree PPrroojjeeccttss
The projects listed below are currently being developed and are progressing at various stages:-
1.Mearns and Ellon Academies
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have agreed to provide support funding for the
replacement of these Academies on a like for like basis. The SFT funding
package is £22.5 million and £11.5 million for Ellon and Mearns respectively. SFT
funding based on delivery of both Academies by 2016.
Mearns will be programmed ahead of Ellon although much of the development on
both campuses will overlap. There are sites options in both locations which are
currently under consideration with no insurmountable hurdles anticipated.
Construction for Mearns will have to begin by mid 2012 and time management will
have to be forthright due to planning stages and applications for building warrants.
There is a Core Team established to undertake the required workload and steps
to ensure these projects are delivered for Education, Learning and Leisure under
the “gateway” project management approach for major capital projects.
2.MarketHill Primary School
Market Hill School is in the early phases of the gateway process and is expected
to be in a position to go to Planning Application by end 2012/early 2013.
3.Fraserburgh Pool and Community Centre Ground works have begun on site and completion is expected December 2012.
4.Replacement Kemnay Academy or new Academy at Kintore
High priority due to continuing pressure at Kemnay Academy caused by a rising
roll, as well as the proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) proposals for
additional housing development in Kintore. This remains a key strategic objective
for Education Learning and Leisure Service. Interim measures will be in place to
accommodate the immediate capacity requirements.
AMP2011Schools 32
5. Alford School Campus
A replacement Alford Primary School is in Aberdeenshire’s Capital Plan for future
years. The Property & Resources Committee has confirmed the funding will be
available from 2013/2014.
6. Drumoak School The proposed replacement Drumoak School project is progressing and various
options are being considered for the school layout.
6. The Existing Portfolio and Current Performance
6.1 Performance Indicators
Education, Learning and Leisure (EL&L) monitors the performance of its school
operational portfolio and provides such information to various bodies in the form
of:
Statutory Performance Indicators (SPI) and Core Facts returns to Scottish
Government through Core Facts collections and surveys are conducted annually
by EL&L relating to the suitability and condition of the school estate. EL&L will
continue to maintain the accuracy of Core Fact data where works have taken
place or new assets are added to the estate. EL&L will continue to address areas
of poor condition or suitability in line with strategies and available budgets to
develop and make best use of its school estate portfolio. The Core Facts
information is collected on the extent, condition, sufficiency and financial
performance of the school estate. Information is used at both national and local
level to inform target, spending decisions, support monitoring and evaluation of
progress over time and support assessments of value for money.
AMP2011Schools 33
6.2 Core Fact data collection
EL&L Core Facts data was collected on 20th May 2011 for the Scottish
Government. The Property Section of EL&L compiled a very detailed survey on
the condition and suitability of the school estate and utilized this information in the
development of practical area upgrades for secondary schools. In addition, the
condition and suitability information has been used in the compilation of a wider
asset management SPI for Audit Scotland.
All the validation of the school estate core facts is now carried out online from a
change in collection procedures to web based in 2010.
EL&L Condition and Suitability Core Facts 2011
Condition A B C D Primaries 10 131 10 0 Secondaries 2 11 4 0 Special 0 3 1 0 One Secondary has improved from C to B, however one Special school has been re assessed as C from B. No change to Primary Schools. Suitability A B C D Primaries 14 77 60 0 Secondaries 2 7 7 1 Special 0 4 0 0 One Primary has improved from D to C, with a further two improving from C to B. No change to Secondary or Special Schools. Sufficiency <40% 40-60 60-85 85-100 >100% Primaries 15 29 59 26 22 Secondaries 0 0 3 9 5
6.3 Future Infrastructure for Services 2010
AMP2011Schools 34
6.3.1 Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP)
The Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Proposed Plan is currently being
considered at examination, by the Directorate of Planning and Environmental
Appeals. It is anticipated that the Reporter’s recommendations will be received by
the end of 2011. These recommendations are largely binding on the planning
authority.
Aberdeenshire Council can then progress towards adoption of the plan, which is
anticipated in March/April 2012. The adopted plan will set out the final framework
for the future of development in Aberdeenshire and the main focus will then turn
to its delivery.
The plan will have major infrastructure effects on education provision. To provide
an indication of the potential infrastructure requirements for the preferred sites for
Education Learning and Leisure, a group was established comprising of:
Head of Service Business Support Manager Quality Improvement Officer Business Support Officer Asset and Facilities Officer Property Representatives Leisure and Recreation Officers
This group has collated information on the education, leisure and recreation
requirements for future infrastructure associated with each of the site allocations
in the Local Development Plan. This has helped to inform the EL&L Asset
Management Plan for future years.
Ongoing dialogue between officers in both services is required to ensure that any
issues are flagged up early and the implications and options for future education
infrastructure considered at the appropriate time to support the delivery of
development and education.
AMP2011Schools 35
6.3.2 Action Programming
The action programme that accompanies the Local Development Plan sets
out how we intend to implement the plan, including the delivery of policies and
proposals. It will be a flexible document subject to regular update and change
and will be formally published on a bi-annual basis. Responsibilities for
carrying out the identified actions and timescales for conclusion of each action
require to be identified.
The EL&L service will have a key input to the action programme working
alongside other services on the delivery of infrastructure. A key element
involves liaising with the Planning Service to identify pressures and
requirements to take forward Education and Leisure infrastructure as well as
inputting to developer masterplans, alongside direct involvement with
developers. The key aim is to plan for the future so that even if the
infrastructure is not required from day one it has been considered in the
overall context of delivery of the site.
Information from the Future Infrastructure Requirements for Services (FIRS)
group will feed into the action programme but also moving forward will assist with
the delivery of infrastructure, including consideration of prioritisation.
FIRS planning has helped inform the EL&L Asset Management Plan for future
years. Representatives from Property and Asset and Facilities Officers site on the
FIRS group along with other Council Services, NHS, Scottish Water and
Transport Scotland who meet several times a year to discuss issues. Moving
forward the FIRS group structure includes a series of sub-groups of which EL&L
are involved.
The opportunity to upfront fund infrastructure does at the current time offer a
potential solution however these opportunities are limited due to the availability of
finance. Proposed opportunities for up-front funding are will require to be
considered by the relevant Aberdeenshire Council committees and fed into the
AMP2011Schools 36
capital plan. However, in the current financial climate the capital plan will have to
be aggressively prioritized in terms of affordability and deliverability.
6.4 Security
The Health and Safety of all staff, pupils and parents is a key and core value of
Aberdeenshire Education, Learning and Leisure and as an organisation,
continuous improvement in how we address these issues is maintained as an
important focus. Much has been done in the last few years to “raise the profile”
of matters relating to Risk Management and Safety. Part of this focus
encompasses, under the Asset Management Plan, School Security and
programmes to ensure that effective systems are put into place, operated
efficiently and staff are aware of the importance and need for such measures.
The focus is maintained through the work of the Tasking and Coordinating Group,
the Support Services Management Team (Property Liaison), and the EL&L
Security Group.
Aberdeenshire Council’s pioneering approach to property security was
recently given a national platform by ALARM, the national forum for risk
management in the public sector.
Officers from Aberdeenshire Council attended the ALARM Learning and
Development Forum in Telford in June, giving a keynote presentation on
Aberdeenshire’s property risk management training and the development of
the property security adviser post.
The council’s focus on property security was brought about after a series of
vandalism incidents a few years ago. Since then, council officers have been
working alongside colleagues from Grampian Police and Grampian Fire and
Rescue Service to consider security issues and take appropriate joint action.
A property security training pack which has been developed was first
recognised as an example of excellence in the field in 2006. The council also
received recognition for its pioneering efforts in this area when the new post of
AMP2011Schools 37
property security adviser was highly commended by the Association of Local
Authority Risk Managers.
Working alongside partners, the council’s successful bids to the government’s
‘Quality of Life Fund’ has made the production of a risk management DVD
and a bank of portable CCTVs possible. This work continues to be progressed
and the number of vandalism reports across Aberdeenshire Schools has
decreased over the years.
Whilst initially the focus on property security was to protect schools, the
council’s expertise in this field is now a corporate resource available to all
council facilities.
7. Review and Challenge
The 2010 Core Facts information highlighted 35 schools ranging from 22-53%
occupancy. In the current and predicted future economic climate, this level
cannot be sustained and there is an opportunity for Education, Learning and
Leisure to review the School Estate portfolio. There are Core Teams established
to provide assessment studies and option appraisals to inform Senior
Management and ultimately Elected Members on any portfolio review
considerations. The Education, Learning and Leisure Service must review the
number of properties in its portfolio establish a disposal/amalgamation
programme.
