This report requests that the Interim Director of Regeneration and Place agrees to award a construction contract to Portacabin Ltd. The contract allows for a rental period for two mobile classrooms for a 104-week period which will enable an additional 40 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupil places to be provided at the school.

Resolved – That the hire and installation of two mobile classrooms at Hayfield School be agreed with effect from 8 August 2022 to Portakabin Ltd in the total sum of £759,556 for a period of 104 weeks.

A detailed specification of requirements was issued in June 2022 and a tender exercise undertaken. Three bids were received. The bids were scored on a fixed price basis with Portakabin Ltd meeting the necessary timescale requirements and submitting the lowest price tender.

A range of options across the school estate has been explored to identify where additional SEND capacity could be added, this has included additional SEND bases in mainstream schools, internal alterations at school sites and traditional build solutions.

Timescales have been an important factor in the options considered in order to achieve the additional places required for the start of the new 2022/23 academic year. Added to this pressure contractor availability and supply chain issues have had to be factored into the option chosen.

A permanent solution was considered however, this was not viable due to both the tight timescales and estimated construction costs of the whole project including enabling works.

The purchase rather than of the temporary accommodation was considered however, the costs associated with the preliminary costs, site clearance, formation of new playground and pathways, drainage etc were the most significant cost within the project and would have to be undertaken if the structure was permanent, hired or purchased.

Out of borough solutions to place pupils with SEND are often not appropriate and have significant financial implications. The project option presented equates to £18,750 per pupil whilst to educate out of Borough would be an additional £50,000 per pupil.