A capacity management plan (CMP) is one of the strategies the department uses to support government schools that have more demand for enrolment than available places.

A capacity management plan helps a school return to or maintain sustainable enrolment numbers, which helps children attend their local school.

The department has been using capacity management plans since 2009. They are developed based on need, not on the location of the school. Capacity management plans are not unique to South Australia – they are used nationally.

Reasons for a capacity management plan

Some of the reasons there might be more enrolment demand than a school can accept include:

• changes in the demographics of the local area
• increases in local housing development and population.

How capacity management plans work

A capacity management plan outlines the specific enrolment criteria for each school. For example, specifying how many students can be enrolled in a given year level.

The department develops each capacity management plan by working with the school and local education director.

Following approval by the Minister, the capacity management plan is published in the South Australian Government Gazette and reviewed as required.

Other capacity management strategies

Other capacity management strategies the department uses include:

• providing more accommodation
• school zones
• new educational facilities.