URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2273

Decision Maker: Assistant Director (Property and Assets) (Andrew Edwards)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Fairway Infant School and Copthorne CE Junior School are co-educational schools based in Copthorne, West Sussex catering for pupils in years R-2 and 3-6, respectively.   Heathy Wood is a 500-home development to the west of Copthorne, nearing completion, which included provision for a primary school site when the development was granted planning permission in 2016. However, to date, demand for primary school places from the new development has been met by the two local schools, Fairway Infant and Copthorne CE Junior. With the birth rate dropping nationally and reviewing latest pupil projections for the area, the County Council consider that the establishment of a new primary school is not required.    As part of the conditions for the development Section 106 contributions for primary school place provision were secured.  These funds have now been received and can be used to support investment in and improvements to Fairway Infant and Copthorne CE Junior schools to accommodate the additional pupils from Heathy Wood.   It is proposed that a feasibility study is undertaken to ascertain the best use of the funds available to improve and develop existing facilities at the schools.  This will enable a programme of works to be identified, in accordance with the criteria set out in the S106 agreement, to deliver the improvements.

Content: Fairway Infant School and Copthorne CE Junior School are co-educational schools based in Copthorne, West Sussex catering for pupils in years R-2 and 3-6, respectively.   Heathy Wood is a 500-home development to the west of Copthorne, nearing completion, which included provision for a primary school site when the development was granted planning permission in 2016. However, to date, demand for primary school places from the new development has been met by the two local schools, Fairway Infant and Copthorne CE Junior. With the birth rate dropping nationally and reviewing latest pupil projections for the area, the County Council consider that the establishment of a new primary school is not required.    As part of the conditions for the development Section 106 contributions for primary school place provision were secured.  These funds have now been received and can be used to support investment in and improvements to Fairway Infant and Copthorne CE Junior schools to accommodate the additional pupils from Heathy Wood.   It is proposed that a feasibility study is undertaken to ascertain the best use of the funds available to improve and develop existing facilities at the schools.  This will enable a programme of works to be identified, in accordance with the criteria set out in the S106 agreement, to deliver the improvements. The Assistant Director (Property and Assets) has approved a total gross budget allocation of £4m from received S106 developer contribution funds to identify improvement priorities via a feasibility study and complete all the works necessary at Fairway Infant and Copthorne CE Junior Schools as set out in paragraph 2.2 of this report and to procure the delivery of the works in so far as required. None declared.

Date of Decision: September 26, 2025