School Organisation and Pupil Place Planning Services

Our School Organisation and Pupil Place Planning Services makes sure there are enough school places in Essex.

The service monitors for surplus provision and supports proposals to make changes. The broad functions of the School Organisation Service include the following:

• making sure good school places exist for every Essex child and young person who requires one
• making sure there’s a diverse and rich mix of provision to meet the needs of all children and young people
• commissioning new provision where required
• discussing the need for places at faith schools the diocesan education boards
• deciding whether places delivered by schools with concerns over standards are still required
• supporting free school proposals
• supporting academy conversions
• supporting the implementation of innovative new models of school organisation and governance
• supporting public consultation about proposed changes to school organisation
• publishing statutory proposals for school organisation changes

The broad functions of the Pupil Place Planning include the following:

• producing an annual document setting out the strategic plan for school places
• managing the production of accurate forecasts showing the expected demand for places
• making sure Essex County Council fulfils its statutory duty to provide enough school places
• promoting diverse provision via increased choice through the production of accurate pupil forecasts
• deciding how many and how to fund school places for new housing developments
• monitoring the supply of school places in Essex​​​

For more information about the service visit the Essex County Council website’s School organisation and place planning web page.