Archived decisions

ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 11 May 2004.

PRESENT:

M.J. Kendal (Chairman); Mrs V. Assinder; Mrs A.E. Bailey; I.F.E. Beagley; F.J. Bright; P.R. Brown; Mrs E.M. Byrom; K.G. Chapman; Ms P. Clarke; Ms R. Clarke; T. Coupland; B.D. Dash; J.J. Dawson; Mrs P.M. Devereux; L.T. Dunsdon; Mrs. J.K. Frankum; J. Gawthorpe; Mrs. K. Heron; Mrs. M. Humber; S.W. Juniper; R. Kimber; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; D. Mayer; Mrs. P.G. Peskett; G.W. Porter; Mrs E.M.F. Randall; J.W. Stocks; Revd. D.M. Turner; J.G.L. Wall; D.I. White; D.F. Wright.

Also present:

Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education

Councillor R. Baulk, Local County Councillor

195 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. Councillor J. Stocks declared a personal interest as his wife was Chairman of Governors for Pinewood Infant School, and was also leading the deputation from that school. This did not amount to a personal prejudicial interest and he therefore remained in the meeting whilst this item was discussed.

196 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 23 March, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

197 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Mr. John Gawthorpe, who had been appointed as one of the teacher representatives in succession to Mr. David Mewes.

198 DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received deputations from the governing bodies of Pinewood Infant School and Guillemont Junior School, both relating to Item 5 (Minute 199 below). The deputations referred to the important educational, social and community roles of Pinewood Infant School, which acted as a focus for a community isolated from the rest of Farnborough by the M3. They referred to the inadequacies of the walking routes to the proposed alternative school, Manor Infant. They pressed the case for retention of a 90-place infant school serving the local area.

199 REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PROVISION IN THE NORTH WEST FARNBOROUGH AREA

The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultations with schools in the North West Farnborough Area. The County Education Officer outlined the pattern of falling school rolls in the area and the problems posed by surplus places. He drew attention to the responses recently received from Rushmoor Borough Council, supporting the retention of Pinewood (copy at Item 5(x) in the Minute Book). He also responded to numerous detailed questions raised by Councillor Stocks and several other Members.

The Committee, with input from Councillor Baulk as local member for the Manor Schools, debated the outcomes of the review and felt unable to support the possible closure of Pinewood Infant School because of:

· Its perceived vital social and community focus for a discrete community.

· The perceived inadequacies of all the potential walking routes to the alternative, Manor Infant School.

· The logistical difficulties for parents if they have to get children to both Manor Infant and Guillemont Junior Schools, located on opposite sides of the motorway.

· Possible long term impact on the pupil numbers and viability of Guillemont Junior School.

· Compounded traffic and environmental problems.

· The need to take into account the view of the Rushmoor Local Strategic Partnership.

· The feeling that a more wide ranging review would identify other alternative means of gradually reducing the incidence of surplus places without the need to close Pinewood Infant School, which had a pattern of stable numbers over the past 5 years and projected forward over the next 5 years.

It was, therefore

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised as follows:-

That Pinewood Infant School be rebuilt as a 90-place infant school, either on its current site or as part of an amalgamated primary school at the Guillemont Junior School site, together with the continuation of the early years provision and the exploration of enhanced community provision in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council.

200 HAWTHORNS SCHOOL AND ASHWOOD EDUCATION CENTRE, BASINGSTOKE

The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out details of the outcomes of consultations on the future of Hawthorns and Ashwood. Members endorsed the approach advocated as a positive way forward in the provision of effective behaviour support services which would benefit vulnerable young people in the area. It would also represent a more effective deployment of resources.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Education be advised

To approve the publication of statutory proposals for the closure of Hawthorns School, Basingstoke with effect from 31 August 2004; the closure of Ashwood Education Centre with effect from 31 August 2004; interim arrangements to apply from 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005, and the development of long-term arrangements to take effect from 1 September 2005.

201 COMBATING RACIAL HARASSMENT : ANNUAL REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) providing an overview of the work of Hampshire County Council as Local Education Authority in relation to its statutory duty to promote race equality, including annual data on racial incidents. It was acknowledged that the number of racial incidents had increased over the past year, these should be viewed in context : 543 incidents over a whole year in over 550 schools. Efforts to secure a return from 100% of schools would continue.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the work of schools and teachers in the areas highlighted in the report be commended.

(ii) That a report based on the 2003 data be sent to all schools.

(iii) That those schools not making a return for two or three years be written to separately to inform them of the established good practice and legal obligations. The names of these schools would be passed to County Councillors.

(iv) That those schools without a race equality policy be written to reminding them of their statutory obligations and how they can obtain support.

202 QUESTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

No questions had been notified on this occasion.

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(i) That the work of schools and teachers in the areas highlighted in the report be commended.

(ii) That a report based on the 2003 data be sent to all schools.

(iv) That those schools without a race equality policy be written to reminding them of their statutory obligations and how they can obtain support.

202 QUESTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

No questions had been notified on this occasion.

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