Supply and demand

The key role of the Planning Unit is to balance the supply and demand for places. This involves reviewing the capacity of schools especially in the light of surplus places (ie the supply) and the demography of Birmingham in terms of forecasts and projections (ie the demand).

The Unit also works closely with the Housing Department to monitor housing clearance and redevelopment, the Planning Department for new housing developments, Admissions and Appeals and Education Welfare.

The Planning Unit undertakes the statutory side of any proposals to rationalise provision - for instance to reduce standard numbers or merge junior and infants or indeed to close a school. The pre-statutory consultation is undertaken by Schools Management Support involving meetings with staff, governors and parents of the schools concerned.