Decision details

The decision has been taken to utilise the Hillside site to enable Big Picture Doncaster to effectively deliver an increased Key Stage 2 outreach and in reach offer. The KS2 offer has been previously agreed and included within the Big Picture Learning SPV contract at the last variation in 2021, however, due to the increased cohort numbers identified for the transitional KS2 work, there is a lack of sufficient space at the current Bentley site for the effective delivery
of this element of the contract. It would also not be appropriate to have KS2 and KS3 students in a small site together due to the wide range of ages, needs and behaviours. Independent School
standards state that it is not appropriate for primary and secondary children to be educated together. While Big Picture Doncaster will remain an alternative provision, it would be regarded
as best practice to keep the phases separate.
The site is fit for purpose in terms of space and location and has been identified as part of the Asset review following the closure of Hillside School. As BPD are currently paying full rental costs for the Bentley site, an appropriate rental cost will be charged to BPD for the Hillside site for the remainder of the SPV contract (August 2024) to enable them to deliver the increased KS2 offer as requested by the Council.

To vary the Big Picture Learning SPV contract by adding the outreach/in reach site element for the Big Picture Doncaster Key Stage 2 service delivery offer at the Hillside property until the
contract ends August 2024.

This option was chosen as it is viable to suite the needs of the cohort, has good transport links and can accommodate the numbers of young people who will be using the provision.
The Key stage 2 Outreach/in reach element needs to be housed separately and the original site is not large enough to accommodate the numbers of young people who have been identified as
requiring the Big Picture programme intervention. Providing a second location for Big Picture Doncaster in Hillside will also ensure young people who live in the Locality have access to suitable provision in their own community. This will include support for primary aged children to transition into secondary school successfully
The Hillside site is undergoing a programme of improvements, which is covered by a separate ODR, but will need to be utilised for education purposes due to the restrictions still in place set
by the Secretary of State and Department for Education. The Council is currently incurring significant costs due to the need for 24 hour security. This will cease when Big Picture Doncaster take on the lease of the building.