AT A MEETING of the SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE held at Falcon House, Romsey Road, Winchester on Tuesday 18 December, 2001

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Don Allen

Michael Cartwright

Raymond Ellis

Jo Kelly

Mrs. Edith Randall

Dr. John Wall

Church of England

Richard Lindley (Chairman)

Mrs. Pat Horne

Brian Hay

Roman Catholic Church

Veronica Roberts

Learning and Skills Council

Stephanie Quant

School Governors

Jeffrey Newsome

Dr. Claude Bamber
Alan Fender
Tom Wickstead (Vice-Chairman)

Rev. John Buxton

Mrs. Sylvia Vine

Apologies

Alex Young - Church of England
Barry Wright - Roman Catholic Church

Councillor Brian Dash - Hampshire County Council

Mrs. Sheila Allen - Roman Catholic Church

47 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Richard Lindley be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

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RICHARD LINDLEY IN THE CHAIR

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48 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 11 September, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute No. 44 : School Organisation Plan 2001/02 - 2005/06

The County Education Officer reported that the DfES proposals to replace the MoE capacity assessment with a new capacity assessment formula were unclear and it was therefore agreed that a presentation to Committee members be postponed until the proposals had been clarified.

49 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Mr. T. Wickstead be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

50 DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received a deputation from Mr. R. Salter setting out his objection to the reduction in the standard number for admissions at Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School.

51 APPLICATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN THE STANDARD NUMBER FOR ADMISSIONS

The County Education Officer presented the Local Education Authority and respective governing body cases for reductions in the standard number for admissions at the following schools.

School	Age Group	Existing Standard Number	Proposed Standard Number
Bidbury Junior School, Bedhampton	7+	70	60
Brockenhurst Church of England (Controlled) Primary School	4+	34	30
Chandlers Ford Infant School	4+	90	60
Fawley Infant School	4+	33	30
Fryern Junior School, Chandlers Ford	7+	82	60
Grange Community Junior School, Farnborough	7+	68	60
Holbury Infant School	4+	70	60
Hythe Primary School	4+	47	45
Knights Enham Infant School, Andover	4+	70	60
Knights Enham Junior School, Andover	7+	70	60
Merdon Junior School, Chandlers Ford	7+	88	60
North Baddesley Junior School	7+	88	60
Northern Junior Community School, Portchester	7+	70	60
Roman Way Primary School, Andover	4+	34	30
Eggars School, Alton	11+	176	137
Testbourne Community School, Whitchurch	11+	196	140
St. Michael and All Angels Church of England (Aided) Infant School, Lyndhurst	4+	35	30

Councillor Dr. John Wall declared a non pecuniary interest in the item relating to Testbourne Community School, Whitchurch.

In response to the public notices published on 7 September, 2001 three statutory objections were received, one relating to Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School and two relating to Merdon Junior School, Chandlers Ford.

The objection relating to Brockenhurst Primary School concerned the future admission of two children who were siblings of one already attending the school but living out of the catchment area. The purpose of the reduction in capacity, and consequent reduction in standard number, was to enable the school to operate as a one form entry primary school, with appropriate specialist accommodation. The Local Education Authority estimated that 30 places each year would be sufficient to cater for children living in the catchment area, with a small number of places for other admissions. The Committee noted the concerns of the parents but were reassured by the Local Education Authority that the current admissions policy gave siblings priority over other applications for children living outside the catchment area. In the circumstances therefore the reduction in the standard number was approved.

The objections relating to Merdon Junior School concerned the future admission of children currently in Year 1 of Chandlers Ford Infant School, the designated feeder school to Merdon Junior. The intention of the proposed standard number reduction was to match the reduction, to 60, proposed at Chandlers Ford Infant. The Local Education Authority pointed out that it was not its intention to apply a blanket limit on children transferring from Chandlers Ford Infant to Merdon Junior. By reducing the standard number, but using the ability to set an admission number each year higher than the standard number, Merdon Junior would be able to plan its use of accommodation so that rooms would be taken out of general teaching use and dedicated to special uses as the numbers coming through from the infant school fell naturally when the smaller age groups follow through. The Committee again noted the concerns of the parents but were reassured by the Local Education Authority that discussions were underway with the headteacher and Governors of Merdon Junior to agree a plan to implement this without placing undue restrictions on the number of places available for children transferring into Year 3. In the circumstances therefore the reduction in the standard number was approved.


With regard to the reduction in standard numbers at Chandlers Ford Infant School, the County Education Officer confirmed that temporary classrooms would be provided at Knightwood Primary School in the event that there were insufficient places to allow all catchment area children to be admitted.


All groups with the exception of the Learning and Skills Council who abstained voted to reduce the standard numbers at the schools as identified.



RESOLVED:

That the proposals of the Local Education Authority and respective governing bodies to reduce standard numbers at the schools as listed below be approved:

School	Age Group	Existing Standard Number	Proposed Standard Number
Bidbury Junior School, Bedhampton	7+	70	60
Brockenhurst Church of England (Controlled) Primary School	4+	34	30
Chandlers Ford Infant School	4+	90	60
Fawley Infant School	4+	33	30
Fryern Junior School, Chandlers Ford	7+	82	60
Grange Community Junior School, Farnborough	7+	68	60
Holbury Infant School	4+	70	60
Hythe Primary School	4+	47	45
Knights Enham Infant School, Andover	4+	70	60
Knights Enham Junior School, Andover	7+	70	60
Merdon Junior School, Chandlers Ford	7+	88	60
North Baddesley Junior School	7+	88	60
Northern Junior Community School, Portchester	7+	70	60
Roman Way Primary School, Andover	4+	34	30
Eggars School, Alton	11+	176	137
Testbourne Community School, Whitchurch	11+	196	140
St. Michael and All Angels Church of England (Aided) Infant School, Lyndhurst	4+	35	30

52 SCHOOL ORGANISATION BUDGET 2001/02 AND 2002/03

The Committee considered a report of the County Treasurer and Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing the budget of the Committee as required by the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998.

RESOLVED:

That the statement of estimated expenses of the Committee be submitted to the County Council for approval.

53 DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Committee noted the dates, times and venues of meetings in 2002;

· Tuesday 9 April, 2002 at 2.15 p.m - Falcon House, Winchester

· Tuesday 10 September, 2002 at 2.15 p.m. - Falcon House, Winchester

· Wednesday 18 December, 2002 at 2.15 p.m. - Falcon House, Winchester