AT A MEETING of the SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE held at Falcon House, Romsey Road, Winchester on Tuesday 9 April, 2002

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Don Allen

Michael Cartwright

Brian Dash

Raymond Ellis

Jo Kelly

Mrs. Edith Randall

Dr. John Wall

Church of England

Richard Lindley (Chairman)

Brian Hay

Mrs. Pat Horne

Roman Catholic Church

Mr. Barry Wright

Veronica Roberts

School Governors

Dr. Claude Bamber

Alan Bender
Tom Wickstead
Mrs. Sylvia Vine

Apologies

Mrs. Sheila Allen - Roman Catholic Church

Geoffrey Newsone - School Governors

Rev. John Buxton - School Governors

54 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday 18 December, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

55 DEPUTATIONS

None.

56 KINGS SCHOOL, WINCHESTER - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee gave consideration to the statement of case of the County Education Officer for a prescribed alteration to King School, Romsey Road, Winchester, by enlarging the proceeds of the school, with effect from September, 2003. (Item 3 in the Minute Book).

The County Education Officer was invited to present the Local Education Authority's case. It was noted that although no objections were received to the statutory proposals, it was not possible for the Local Education Authority to make a determination within the statutory timetable. The proposal was therefore submitted to the Committee for approval.

The County Education Officer reported that the provision of additional accommodation, comprising six classrooms funded by the school governing body would enable the capacity of schools to be more closely matched to the number of pupils and roles. It was pointed out that although this was technically an enlargement to the school, this would form part of the planned reduction in the total number of pupils attending the school. The County Education Officer also confirmed that the capital costs of the proposals would be met by the School Governing Body. The Local Education Authority was satisfied that sufficient finance was available and would not in any event enter into any contract to supply goods/services until sufficient funding was in place. The County Education Officer also confirmed that the Governing Body had engaged the services of the County Architect to carry out the building works. It was in the Local Education Authority's interest to ensure the building works were of a high standard.

It was reported that planning consents had been applied for and would hopefully be granted in May/June, 2002. The Committee were therefore asked to approve the proposals subject to the necessary planning consent being approved.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposals.

All groups voted for a prescribed alteration to Kings School, Romsey Road, Winchester, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from September, 2003, subject to the necessary planning consent being approved.

RESOLVED:

That the proposal for a prescribed alteration to Kings School, Romsey Road, Winchester, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from September, 2003, be approved subject to the necessary planning consent being approved.

57 ROBERT MAYS SCHOOL, ODIHAM - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee gave consideration to the proposals of the Governors of Robert Mays School, Odiham for a prescribed alteration, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from January, 2003. No statutory objections have been received to the proposals following publication of notices on 11^th January, 2002.

Mr. D. Spruce, Chairman of Governors of the Robert Mays School, Odiham was invited to present the Governing Body case.

The enlargement of the school by the provision of an additional 138 places was intended to meet anticipated demand from the area served by the school.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposals.

All groups voted for a prescribed alteration, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from January, 2003.

RESOLVED:

That the proposal for a prescribed alteration, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from January, 2003, be approved.

58 MEONSTOKE CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL - PROPOSED CHANGE IN AGE RANGE

The Committee gave consideration to the proposals of Meonstoke Church of England School Governing Body for a prescribed alteration to the school by changing the age range of the school from 4-8 to 4-7, with effect from 1 September, 2003. No statutory objections had been received to the proposals following publication of notices on 17 December, 2001.

The objective of the proposal was to enable the school to cater only for key stage 1 pupils. It was noted that in order to implement the proposal, the school would no longer cater for pupils aged 7+ (national curriculum year 3) after the end of the 2002/03 school year. Pupils aged 7+ in the 2003/04 school year will transfer to Droxford Primary School at the start of the Autumn Term 2003. It was further noted that the number of pupils to be admitted to Meonstoke Church of England School at the age of 4+, in the 2003/04 school year and subsequent years will be 30. The current standard number for admissions to the school was 16.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposal.

All groups voted for the prescribed alteration to the school by changing the age range of the school from 4-8 to 4-7, with effect from 1 September, 2003.

RESOLVED:

That the proposal for a prescribed alteration to the school by changing the age range of the school from 4-8 to 4-7, with effect from 1 September, 2003, be approved.

59 BRIDGEMARY SCHOOL, GOSPORT - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee gave consideration to the proposals of the County Education Officer for a prescribed alteration to Bridgemary School, Gosport, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from September, 2003 and to the objection received following the publication of notices on 21 January, 2002.

The provision of additional accommodation, to a total of 1350 places, was to cater for the predicted increase in numbers of pupils at the school. The County Education Officer also reported that the design for the extension was currently being finalised and that a planning application would be submitted shortly. Preliminary discussions with the planning officers have not identified any concerns bearing in mind that this was an existing school site.

In response to the objection received to the proposals, the County Education Officer was of the opinion that there was no case for providing additional accommodation beyond the current plans and that there was no case for building a new, fourth secondary school in Gosport. It was pointed out that whilst the County Council had set recommended sizes for secondary schools, it was clear that some of the highest performing schools are amongst the largest. It was pointed out that if a large secondary school was well managed, it could provide excellent pupil care and achieve high standards of education. It was also noted that the growth in schools in the Gosport area had been incremental, as had been the growth in pupil numbers. At no time over the past 10 years or so had there been a cohort of sufficient size to warrant the building of a fourth secondary school in Gosport. Each of the three schools had been extended in order to accommodate the numbers of children living in each of the catchment areas of the school, reflecting the wishes of parents as evidence in admissions applications. Furthermore the County Education Officer confirmed that the Local Education Authority would continue to monitor the need for a fourth secondary school in Gosport. If future pupil numbers warrant it, and if funding arrangements could be secured for it, the executive member for education would give serious consideration to the building of a fourth secondary school in Gosport.

Members adjourned in their respective groups to consider the proposal.

All groups voted for a prescribed alteration to Bridgemary School, Gosport, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from September, 2003, subject to the necessary planning consent being approved.

RESOLVED:

That the proposal for a prescribed alteration to Bridgemary School, Gosport, by enlarging the premises of the school, with effect from September, 2003 be approved.

60 ASHLEY INFANTS SCHOOL - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee noted that no objection had been received in response to the public notices published on 17 December, 2001 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determined to implement a proposal as set out in the notice.

RESOLVED:

That the action taken by the Local Education Authority be noted.

61 LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT JUNIOR SCHOOL - ENLARGEMENT

The Committee noted that no objections had been received in response to the public notices published on 21 January, 2002 and accordingly the Local Education Authority had determine to implement the proposal as set out in the notice.

RESOLVED:

That the action taken by the Local Education Authority be noted.

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