Archived decisions

Contact:

Geroge Heller : Assistant County Education Officer : 01962 846518

Eric Smith : Education Officer SEN : 01962 846245

1 Summary

1.1 Following the closure of Tankerville Special School in August 2002, as part of the re-organisation of specialist provision for children with learning difficulties in the Eastleigh and Winchester area, Lankhills School assumed responsibility for Tankerville's off-site class at Toynbee Secondary School. (Lankhills School will be re-named Osborne School from May 2003.)

1.2 The headteacher of Lankhills School is experiencing difficulties in supporting and maintaining this class, and his governing body has accepted his proposal that it be closed. Parents of pupils attending the class have expressed considerable concern about and objection to this proposal.

1.3 The Public Notice of the County Council's intention to make a prescribed alteration to Lankhills School stated that provision for eight of the pupils would be made in a class based at Toynbee School, Chandlers Ford. Permanent closure will require a decision of the Executive Member to request the Secretary of State's agreement to modify the original approval to this part of the re-organisation of the school.

2 Reason

2.1 The governing body of Lankhills School has accepted the headteacher's recommendation that the off-site class be closed as a result of the severe logistical difficulties which he is experiencing in managing the class and in ensuring that pupils and staff have a safe working environment in which teaching of high quality continues to be delivered.

2.2 The off-site class at Toynbee School, which was until August 2002 the responsibility of Tankerville School situated approximately 1.5 miles away, is ten miles from the main site of Lankhills School. This increased distance is exacerbating the difficulties which the headteacher is experiencing in managing an off-site class, in particular in exercising his responsibility for:

· the management and recruitment of staff: as a result of staff changes, all staff, both teaching and support staff, will be leaving the class at Easter;

· health and safety: the class is at risk of closure at short notice in the event of significant staff absence as a result of the headteacher's limited ability to provide cover immediately from staff who will have to travel from the main school site in Winchester;

· professional support and development of staff: it is essential that staff in the off-site class have regular opportunities for support and supervision from colleagues and full participation in professional development activities;

· maintaining high quality provision for pupils: the main school site of Osborne School will offer a greater range of curriculum expertise and facilities, and of both social and educational opportunities, than it has been possible to achieve for the pupils within Toynbee School in which there has been limited integration.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 The only other option is to retain the class. The governing body of Lankhills School has already agreed the temporary closure of the class on health and safety grounds, in view of the headteacher's inability to date to recruit replacement staff for the coming term.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - none

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable

Approved by Date of decision

Councillor D Allen