This School Organisation Plan (The Plan) has been prepared in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 as amended by the Education (School Organisation Plans) Regulations 2003.
The Plan covers the academic years from September 2003 to August 2008. The next update of the Plan will be in 2006.
The Plan explains how Gateshead Local Education Authority ( LEA ) will meet its statutory responsibility to provide sufficient educational provision throughout the borough enabling higher standards of attainment. It shows how there is a requirement for reducing school places generally across the borough whilst at the same time indicating the current levels of provision needed.
Although the Plan lays out a broad framework for the LEA to work within, it can never be entirely prescriptive and proposals may be required for which at present there have not been a need identified.
Any proposals relating to amalgamations, new schools, closures or capacity reductions will be identified on the basis of the Plan and considered by the School Organisation Committee.
Other LEA Plans have been considered in drawing up this document, i.e. Asset Management, Early Years Development and Childcare Plan, Accessibility Strategy, Education Development Plan.