Wolverhampton City Council

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1 Agenda Item No: 4E Wolverhampton City Council OPEN EXECUTIVE DECISION ITEM (AMBER) Cabinet / Cabinet Panel CABINET Date Portfolio(s) SCHOOLS Originating Service Group(s) CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Contact Officer(s) Telephone Number(s) 4110/4191/1469 DAVE RAWLINSON/PAUL DEAN/KAREN NEWEY Title OUTCOME OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN ASHMORE PARK KEY DECISION IN FORWARD PLAN YES YES Recommendations 1. To note the completion of the formal consultation process with schools and the community in Ashmore Park on the proposal accepted by Cabinet in January To receive feedback from the formal consultation on this proposal set out in Appendix 1 and to consider the issues raised. 3. To confirm support for this proposal, namely to merge Danesmore Park Primary School with Oak Meadow Primary School with effect from 1 September 2007, operating initially on two sites. 4. To authorise the Director for Children and Young People to forward this proposal to the Schools Adjudicator, with the necessary supporting information, for approval in accordance with the Education and Inspection Act To authorise discussions with the Governing Body of Oak Meadow Primary School and other local stakeholders regarding the strategic options to enable the merged school to operate on a single site in the future. Schedule of Background Papers 1. Primary School Organisation (PSO) Small Schools (Resources Panel 7 June 2005). 2. Strategy for the Organisation and Development of Primary Schools (Cabinet 23 November 2005). 3. Development and Promotion of Primary Education in Wednesfield (Cabinet 6 October 2006). 4. Creating a new future for Primary Education on Ashmore Park (Consultation Paper November 2006) 5. Consultation on Proposals for the Development and Promotion of Primary Education in Ashmore Park (Cabinet Report 24 January 2007) Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 1

2 OUTCOME OF FORMAL CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS FOR CREATING A NEW FUTURE FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION ON ASHMORE PARK Summary This report seeks to inform Cabinet of the outcome of formal consultation on a proposal to merge Danesmore Park Primary School with Oak Meadow Primary School. The proposal envisages the new School initially operating on two sites and moving on to a single site in the medium term. There is a commitment to make capital investment to achieve this outcome. This will involve further discussion to determine the strategy which best meets local needs and circumstances. The proposal is in line with the Authority s Strategy for the Organisation and Development of Primary Schools (Background Paper 2). If this report is approved, the issue will need to be determined by the Schools Adudicator, under transitional arrangements introduced under the Education and Inspection Act Background 1.1 The City Council is responsible for organising primary school education in Wolverhampton. It does this so that its primary schools can deliver the five key outcomes set out in the Children Act These are: Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution; Economic wellbeing. As indicated in the Strategy for the Organisation and Development of Primary Schools (subsequently referred to as the Strategy), the main focus must be on each child enjoying and achieving in his/her own school. This requires sustained investment in learning for all. It also requires that effective action is taken to deal with falling rolls. 1.2 The need for changes to the organisation of primary education in on Ashmore Park was explained in detail in Background Paper 3, and accepted by Cabinet in October Since then the Authority has carried out the statutory procedure which is required to determine school organisation issues. The timescale for this process has included Cabinet decisions being called in for consideration by Scrutiny Board. 1.4 Major changes to the statutory procedures for dealing with school organisation are now pending as a result of the Education and Inspection Act In particular, from midnight on 24 May 2007, the School Organisation Committee will cease to exist. Local decisions on school organisation Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 2

3 proposals, which, since 1999 have been the remit of the School Organisation Committee, will, in future, be taken by the Local Authority or the Schools Adjudicator, depending on the circumstances. The implications of the changes in this case are dealt with in Section The Consultation Process 2.1 An informal consultation process began on 1 November 2006 with a closing date for comments set at 5 January During that period a consultation paper was distributed to Governing Bodies and staff at the four Primary schools serving Ashmore Park and Ashmore Park Nursery School. In addition, 1200 copies of a leaflet were distributed to the parents/carers of all pupils attending the Ashmore Park Schools. Both documents were made available on the City Council s website. 2.2 A series of meetings was held with the schools in the area to outline the proposals and to seek views from the Ashmore Park community. Cabinet Members and senior officers met with the staff, Governors and parents of Danesmore Park Primary School in separate meetings. They heard views expressed on the specific proposals which highlighted the possible closure of the school. Officers also met with the Governing Bodies of the other schools in the area. The opportunity for parents of pupils at these schools to have additional meetings was also offered if they so wished. As a result, a further meeting was held with parents at St Alban s CE Primary School. The outcome of all of these consultations resulted in 273 responses being sent to the Authority, using the published pro-forma. In addition 323 comments, on 34 separate issues, were also received. 2.3 Members should note that, at the time of the informal consultation, Danesmore Park Primary School was under a Notice to Improve, following an OfSTED Inspection in November There was also concern about outcomes at Key Stage 2. Since this time the Notice to Improve has been removed by OfSTED, following a re-inspection in February As part of that response to the informal consultation process, the Danesmore Park Primary School Governing Body suggested the possibility of amalgamation with St Albans CE Primary School, in order to remove surplus places. Such a move would require the closure of both schools and the creation of an entirely new school. However the Governing Body of St Alban s CE Primary School indicated that they were unable to support amalgamation with Danesmore Park Primary School. 2.5 The Governors of Oak Meadow Primary School also made a formal response to the proposals in a letter of 3 January This suggested a possible merger of Danesmore Park Primary School with Oak Meadow Primary School. This was proposed as a phased merger, with the Danesmore Park site continuing to operate until at least September This would help provide adequately for all existing pupils. Officers regard this as a helpful suggestion. It would address a number of concerns expressed about the implications of a possible straight closure of Danesmore Park Primary School whilst addressing the long-term issue of surplus places. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 3

4 2.6 The outcome of informal consultation was considered by Cabinet on 24 January It was agreed, subject to call in, to authorise formal consultation on a specific proposal to merge Danesmore Park Primary School with Oak Meadow Primary School with effect from 1 September The newly merged school would operate initially on two sites but withdrawing from the Danesmore Park site, in September 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. This decision was called in and was considered by the Scrutiny Board on 20 February Formal consultation began on 9 March 2007 with a closing date of 4 May The original statutory notice was amended to reflect the school s removal from Notice to Improve following re-inspection in February The consultation period gave individuals eight weeks to make comments or raise objections. This was longer than the recommended six weeks in order to allow for the Easter holiday period. 3.0 Outcome of the Formal Consultation 3.1 At the close of the period for formal consultation, 217 responses had been received. Of the 217 responses 13 were from individuals who had already sent in letters and were duplicating their concerns. The vast majority of letters received were from individuals who did not want Danesmore Park School to close. Many also did not want the School to merge with Oak Meadow Primary School. There were several individual letters expressing concern about the proposals and a significant number of standard letters which were duplicated and signed by individuals as follows: 49 letters from pupils including an ex-pupil (Appendix 2) 51 standard letters from members of the community (Appendix 3) 7 standard letters from members of the community (Appendix 4) 45 standard letters from members of the community (Appendix 5 ) 8 individual letters from parents and families particularly concerned about SEN provision at Danesmore Park (Appendix 6) 11 letters came from the staff of Danesmore Park together with a letter from the Headteacher expressing a personal view (Appendix 7 and 8) 26 individual letters from the community (Appendix 9 ) 7 individuals sent a standard letter supporting Oak Meadow but expressing opposition to the merger (Appendix 10) 3.2 In addition to the above responses, there was a letter from the Governing Body of Oak Meadow Primary School (Appendix 11). The Chair of Governors of Danesmore Park Primary School also wrote to the Chief Executive (Appendix 12). There was a response from the Chair of Governors of Corpus Christ Catholic Primary School on behalf of the Governors (Appendix 13) and a further letter from the Chair of Governors and Headteacher of Ashmore Park Nursery School (Appendix 14). Both of these letters were regarding the impact of a proposed merger on Nursery provision in the area. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 4

5 4.0 Officers Commentary on the Feedback from Formal Consultation 4.1 The responses to formal consultation indicate a strong level of support from the community, staff, pupils and parents of Danesmore Park Primary School for the education provision offered at the School. These respondents were strongly against the merger with Oak Meadow. Specific concerns covered: removal of parental choice, perceived lack of concern for children s needs, concern about provision for the Resource Base pupils, anxiety about the integration of Danesmore Park pupils into Oak Meadow Primary School, feeling that the timescale is rushed, travelling distance, road safety and congestion between the two sites, the development of a Nursery at Oak Meadow and the possible impact this would have on the other Nursery provision in the area. 4.2 Members will wish to give careful consideration to the above concerns. However, they do not address the key problem, namely that there are too few children on the estate to warrant the number of primary school places currently available. Pupil number projections show that this situation will continue to deteriorate. None of the responses to the current proposal dispute these facts. The status quo cannot be sustained without damaging the long term educational prospects of all children in the area. Rationalisation is, therefore, inevitable. The proposed merger, with a period of split site operation, will provide continuity and safeguard the well being of existing pupils. 4.3 In relation to the Special Educational Needs Resource Base, parents have been reassured that the Authority will continue to meet its obligations to all pupils with Statements of Special Educational need. In the short term this will be achieved by continuing Resource Base provision for existing pupils at the Danesmore Park site. Following consolidation on one site, parents of Resource Base children will be consulted individually to ensure that there is appropriate provision for every child. 4.4 Officers acknowledge that significant issues have been raised regarding nursery provision in Ashmore Park. Subject to Cabinet approval of the recommendations in this report, there will need to be nursery provision at Oak Meadow Primary School from September This will provide continuity for all existing nursery pupils. The long term position will be the subject of a further report. 4.5 The Governing Body of Oak Meadow Primary School continue to support the merger subject to satisfactory safeguards for existing staff and adequate resources to manage the transitional phase. Subject to Cabinet approval of the above recommendations, officers will consult immediately with the Governing Body and staff at Oak Meadow and Danesmore Park Primary Schools and the relevant Trade Unions to ensure that effective governance, management and staffing are secured from September Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 5

6 5.0 Action Following Cabinet 5.1 The Authority has recently received notification that, under the Education and Inspection Act 2006, the School Organisation Committee will cease to operate from 25 May Given this date and its proximity to Cabinet, it is not logistically possible, in this case, to refer a decision by Cabinet to the School Organisation Committee. 5.2 Under these circumstances, transitional arrangements published by the DfES will apply. This proposal does not create a new school and no other responsible authority is involved eg. Diocesan Authority. The main proposal relating to the closure of Danesmore Park is made under Section 29(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act The proposal relating to Oak Meadow is made under Section 28 of the Act. Under regulations setting out the transitional provisions, which come into force on 25 May 2007, proposals under Section 29, in general, can be determined by the Authority. However, proposals under Section 28 are referred to the Schools Adjudicator. Where proposals are related, which is the case in this instance it is necessary for both sets of proposals to be referred to the Schools Adjudicator for his approval. 6.0 Financial Implications 6.1 The proposals in this report have financial implications for all schools serving Ashmore Park. If approved, they will have a positive impact on pupil numbers at remaining schools which will improve their financial situation. 6.2 Resources have been identified in 2007/08 to cover the transitional requirements. A future report will provide details of this aspect of the scheme. 6.3 Significant capital investment will be required over the period to support single site operation at Oak Meadow Primary School. This will be funded through the Children s Services Capital Programme, supplemented by a capital receipt from the disposal of the Danesmore Park site. The Capital Programme situation beyond 2007/08 is dependent on Government announcements regarding Primary Capital which are imminent. Members should note that the Authority has a very successful track record in securing targeted Government funding to support primary school rationalisation, with over 16 million of capital grant or borrowing approval having been received, over the last five years, to fund major schemes at St Judes CE Primary School, St Lukes CE Primary School and Rakegate Primary School. 7.0 Equal Opportunities Implications 7.1 The purpose of this report is to develop primary school provision in Ashmore Park so that all pupils can benefit from enhanced provision. This means, that because of falling rolls, over time, the available resources will need to invested in fewer sites. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 6

7 8.0 Environmental Implications 8.1 There are direct environmental implications in the report, in respect of those school sites which should be the focus of new development and improvement. Any significant changes in the schools on Ashmore Park will take place to ensure that environments for teaching and learning are suitable for the 21 st century. It is also important that they should be welcoming, secure and promote sustainability. 9.0 Forward Plan 9.1 This is a key decision in that it affects families residing in more than two wards of the City. It is included as part of the wider programme on small schools and the Strategy for Organising and Developing Primary Places which features in the Forward Plan. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 7

8 Appendix 1 WOLVERHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL DISCONTINUANCE OF DANESMORE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL AND PRESCRIBED ALTERATION TO OAK MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Wolverhampton City Council being the appropriate authority, wishes to make the following proposals in respect of Danesmore Park Primary School, Russell Close, Ashmore Park, Wednesfield WV11 2LA and Oak Meadow Primary School, Ryan Avenue, Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, WV11 2QQ; a) In accordance with Section 29(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, Wolverhampton City Council intends to discontinue Danesmore Park Primary School, Russell Close, Ashmore Park, Wednesfield,Wolverhampton WV11 2LA from 31 August b) In accordance with Section 28 (1) (b) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, Wolverhampton City Council intends to make a prescribed alteration to Oak Meadow Primary School, Ryan Avenue, Ashmore Park, Wednesfield,Wolverhampton, WV11 2QQ by modifying the age range for pupils from 5 to 11 years, to one for pupils aged 3 to 11 years with effect from 1 September c) The number of pupils to be admitted to the school at age 5 years, in September 2007 and subsequent years will be 60. The indicated admission limit for the school will continue to be 60. d) The modified school will operate as a two-form entry Primary School, catering for 420 boys and girls aged 5 to 11 years and 40 part-time places for pupils aged 3 to 5. e) It is proposed that the pupils from the closed Danesmore Park Primary School will be able to attend the newly modified Oak Meadow Primary School from 1 September f) Transport arrangements will be in accordance with existing Council policy. g) With effect from 1 September 2007, the premises currently occupied by Danesmore Park Primary School will be available for occupation by the modified Oak Meadow Primary School for a minimum period of one year prior to all pupils being accommodated on the current Oak Meadow site. h) Oak Meadow Primary School will be able to provide part-time pre-school education for pupils aged 3 to 5 offering 40 part-time places in the existing Nursery Class provision at the Danesmore Park site in the first instance. Within six weeks after the date of publication of these proposals (ie by 4 May 2007), any person may object to the proposals by sending the objection to the Director for Performance and Development (Democratic Support Section), Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SH. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 8

9 Within a further month, the Authority will send to the Wolverhampton School Organisation Committee for the area, copies of all objections made within the objection period (and not withdrawn in writing) together with the Authority's observations on them. Signed Date _9 March 2007 Mrs S Stephens Chief Legal and Procurement Officer EXPLANATORY NOTES 1. For a number of years the pupil numbers at schools in Ashmore Park and the wider Wednesfield area have fallen significantly. All the Ashmore Park schools have experienced a drop in pupil numbers. Danesmore Park Primary School, as a one-form entry school, now has more than 25% surplus places. It has also been the subject of a notice to improve imposed by Ofsted following inspection in November That notice has now been lifted.the School was the subject of a closure proposal which has formed part of an informal consultation with schools and the community in Ashmore Park. 2. During the informal consultation, the Governing Body of Oak Meadow Primary School offered the opportunity for Danesmore Park to merge with Oak Meadow to form a single two-form entry Primary school from September 2007 but to continue to operate on both existing sites for at least twelve months. The Authority is supportive of this proposal as it meets the requirement of ultimately removing surplus places and addresses parental concerns, expressed during the informal consultation, about having sufficient school places for pupils displaced from Danesmore if the school were simply to close in September The proposal will result in Oak Meadow continuing as a two-form entry Primary school but will have the added facility of Nursery provision to assist with the delivery of the Foundation Stage curriculum. 4. It is felt that to join the schools together through the process of a merger will be in the best interest of the pupils and the long-term development of education in Ashmore Park. 5. The modified Oak Meadow School, operating as a Primary school catering for boys and girls aged 3 to 11 years will help ensure the efficient and effective use of resources in the future. Developing Nursery provision will be undertaken with reference to existing alternative provision in the area. 6. Oak Meadow will be the subject of major investment during the next three years thereby ensuring that it can safeguard quality 21 st century provision and enable the further raising of standards. 7. The Authority also proposes to enhance facilities at the other primary schools remaining on Ashmore Park using funds from BSF Primary. This will allow for the more efficient and effective use of existing accommodation and offer opportunities for other uses by the Ashmore Park community. Development & Promotion of Primary Ed (Ashmore Park) May 07 9

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