URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2335

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The County Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for all children who need a place. St Wilfrid’s Catholic School is a Voluntary Aided 11-18 secondary school based in Crawley. Due to the urgent need to provide additional secondary school places in Crawley the school accepted bulge classes in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake years. To reflect the continuing need for secondary places the school increased its Published Admission Number (PAN) from 150 places per year to 180 places per year in 2024.   Whilst the school’s Published Admission Number was increased, additional accommodation has not been provided resulting in the school now operating significantly over capacity. A planning application for additional accommodation to enable a permanent expansion from 5FE to 6FE (750 to 900 places) in Years 7 to 11 was submitted to Crawley Borough Council in November 2022, however it took until August 2025 for planning approval to be received, due to delays associated with water neutrality requirements.   The intention is that the school will oversee delivery of the additional accommodation as a school managed project. Therefore, approval is now sought for the passporting of the required capital funding to the school to enable delivery of the additional accommodation required to provide teaching and associated spaces to support 900 places in years 7 to 11 and the needs of the expanding 6th form. 

Content: The County Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for all children who need a place. St Wilfrid’s Catholic School is a Voluntary Aided 11-18 secondary school based in Crawley. Due to the urgent need to provide additional secondary school places in Crawley the school accepted bulge classes in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake years. To reflect the continuing need for secondary places the school increased its Published Admission Number (PAN) from 150 places per year to 180 places per year in 2024.   Whilst the school’s Published Admission Number was increased, additional accommodation has not been provided resulting in the school now operating significantly over capacity. A planning application for additional accommodation to enable a permanent expansion from 5FE to 6FE (750 to 900 places) in Years 7 to 11 was submitted to Crawley Borough Council in November 2022, however it took until August 2025 for planning approval to be received, due to delays associated with water neutrality requirements.   The intention is that the school will oversee delivery of the additional accommodation as a school managed project. Therefore, approval is now sought for the passporting of the required capital funding to the school to enable delivery of the additional accommodation required to provide teaching and associated spaces to support 900 places in years 7 to 11 and the needs of the expanding 6th form.  The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning has approved:   (1)The passporting of a maximum and not to be exceeded gross budget of £6.84m of Schools Basic Need funding to St Wilfrid’s Catholic School in Crawley to fund the work outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report and enable expansion from a 5 form entry (FE) to a 6FE school.   (2)The settlement and completion of the Development and Funding agreement and charge document as a condition for the transfer of funds. None declared.

Date of Decision: January 7, 2026