Strategic CIL to be used for new Kilburn Primary School building and Open Space improvements: some associated issues.

Current site

 Proposed

 

 Proposed in wider context

 

It has been no secret that in the past there has been resistance by the neighbouring South Kilburn schools, Carlton Vale Infant School and Kilburn Park Foundation School (a junior school), to amalgamation. However, they have recently been operating as a Federation with some joint management and leadership.

Now Brent Council has come forward with plans to build a new combined school building on the existing  Carlton Vale Infant site (KVI) and Kilburn Park School Foundation (KPFS). The demolished KPFS site would be incorporated into an improved South Kilburn Open Space.

The proposal before Cabinet on Monday December 9th is:

Approves the use of £12.9m of SCIL funding, for the construction of a 1 Form Entry primary school with a nursery and the infrastructure to expand to a 2FE school (including decanting of Carlton Vale Infant school to Kilburn Park Junior school and the associated building works), as part of South Kilburn Regeneration Programme.

 Approves the use of £4.4 m of SCIL funding, for the enhancement of the South Kilburn Open Space, as part of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme. 

Given the difficulties facing the delivery (and viability) of the remaining housing schemes on South Kilburn the proposal, by using £17.3m of Strategic CIL, removes any funding through the regeneration.

As a Foundation school Kilburn Park has possession of its land and will have to agree a land transfer to Brent Council. Brent Council once in possession will have to request permission from the Department for Education to use the land for non-educational purpose, namely the improvement of the open space.

There is a potential fly in the ointment here because Islamia Primary is still looking for a site following an eviction order from the Islam Yusuf Foundation. The Strathcona site as an alternative was overwhelmingly rejected by parents. A potential school building will be standing empty and available before demolition. Islamia could appeal to the DfE not to release the land for non-educational purposes.

Both CVI and KPSF are operating well below capacity. The latest figures I have managed to find are CVI 56 pupils out of a capacity of 230, and KPFS 66 out of a capacity of 240. As a result the LA is proposing a one form entry school (30 per year group) and a 26 place nursery. In addition however, the build will include infrastructure for expansion to 2 forms of entry if required when demand increases as a result of the regeneration, but importantly the officers' report (rather puzzlingly) states:

20. It should be noted that should the need arise for the new school to expand to a 2FE school in the future, there is no provision in this proposal to cover these costs.

The  regeneration so far does not appear to have  resulted in much of an increase in the rolls of the two schools despite Good Ofsted report. If future housing tenure is aimed at young professionals rather than families the anticipated demand may not materialise.

This brings us to another issue. Brent Council has a School Places Strategy that deals with falling numbers in primary schools in some areas of the borough, with amalgamations and federations, and potential closures as part of the solution. Because school funding is based on the number of pupils, falling numbers impact on the school budget. As argued in some recent discussions this impacts in turn on the capacity of the school to employ the full range of staff to offer a broad and balanced curriculum and SEND support.

The officers' report sees a glowing role and future for the new school:

15. The school will not only support the educational needs of the growing population but will also act as a catalyst for community cohesion, social mobility, and local economic growth, linking directly to the wider regeneration goal.

    The new school will not only replace outdated facilities but will create a modern, efficient educational environment that meets the needs of South Kilburn’s children now and in the future. It aims to provide top-tier educational facilities at the heart of the community, fostering community cohesion and improving life chances for residents.

The officers' report does not see an early increased demand for places and discounts the Islamia interest:

 The modelling exercise [ ] identified that there would be sufficient capacity over the next five years (the 2027/2028 academic year) to meet projected need if a one form of entry primary school replaced CVI and KPJ schools, taking into account the likely relocation of Islamia Primary School away from the area.

Development of a two-form entry school would likely lead to spare places in the area which would not be an efficient use of resources. However, in the longer term given the level of planned regeneration, it was felt prudent to design options that would allow the new primary school to be relatively easily expanded to a 2 FE school should the need arise.

 However the new school will not be occupied until 2029, after that period, according to the timeline. Will a 2 form need be apparent by then and additional work needed?:

 

There are no design details of the new school as yet but it may well be a similar to the pre-assembled Wembley Manor SEND school in London Road. LINK

Proposals for the improvement of the  South Kilburn Open Space are promising at this stage:

28. The proposed landscape strategy of the South Kilburn open space includes ecological enhancements and activation of the open space through a network of safe routes, creating opportunities to bring together new and existing residents of South Kilburn. The proposed improvements include new cycle and pedestrian connections, a new multi-activity area, youth space, gym trail, woodland play area and earthworks, enhanced biodiversity, community orchard, and growing space, and a proposed community pavilion that can accommodate community space and café. Officers within the Parks Service have commented on the design proposals, to ensure ease of maintenance and community benefit.