Contact: Peter Robertson, 01962 847300, [email protected]

With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, this matter has been included on the agenda to enable the Council to reconsider its earlier decision to close Ampfield Church of England Primary School. The Council must do this before the Schools Adjudicator makes a decision about the Council's current statutory proposal to close the school as the Adjudicator's decision would be binding upon the Council.

1. Summary

1.1 This report recommends that, in consideration of the views of the Cabinet expressed informally at its meeting on 14 March 2005 convened to consider the situation at Ampfield CE Primary School, the school should remain open for the reasons set out in this report.

2. Background

2.1 During the summer term 2003, the numbers at Ampfield School fell very rapidly following a loss of confidence in the management of the school. The headteacher resigned at the end of the summer term 2003.

2.2 Following discussions with Ampfield School's governing body and the headteachers and chairs of governors of schools within the Romsey area, a report was presented to the Executive Member for Education in March 2004 seeking permission to consult on primary education within the Romsey area, including Ampfield.

2.3 Consultations were carried out in the summer term 2004 and a report was presented to the Education Policy Review Committee (EPRC) setting out the results of consultations and recommending that Ampfield CE School should be closed.

2.4 The EPRC voted 8 - 5 (with 3 abstentions) in favour of retaining the school. On 14 October 2004, the Executive Member for Education, although mindful of the EPRC recommendations, decided that the case for keeping the school open had not been made and approved the publication of a statutory proposal to close the school.

2.5 Objections were received to the proposal and, as a consequence, the matter fell to the School Organisation Committee (SOC) to determine. The SOC met on 4 February 2005 and supported the closure decision by three votes to one, with the Church of England group voting against closure.

2.6 Because the SOC vote had not been unanimous, the matter was then referred to the Schools Adjudicator for determination. The Adjudicator has invited both the LEA and the school's governing body to provide additional information. Once all core information has been received, a decision may be expected within six weeks, although much will depend on the complexity of the particular case.

3. The future

3.1 Parallel to the above statutory procedures, discussions have continued locally about the future of Ampfield School. The following considerations must be taken into account, some of which have occurred since the meeting of the EPRC and the Executive Member's decision:

· The Government has set out substantial additional housing targets as part of its South East Plan and, although the County Council has major concerns about the funding of the necessary infrastructure, it is clear that these possible developments must be borne in mind.

· At the meeting of the School Organisation Committee, the school's governing body provided additional evidence of a likely increase in admissions which would take the number of pupils on roll at the school to a viable level.

· Because of difficulties under the previous management regime, community involvement at the school was very limited. In their advice to the Adjudicator, however, the governors point out that school clubs have been resurrected and there is an increased desire to act as a village focus, for example, by opening up the school's ICT facilities to the community, particularly for older persons.

· There has been continuing concern about the closure of a Church of England school and the implications for the expression of parental preference.

· The district and parish council continue to be strongly in favour of keeping the school open. The governors' report states that over £80,000 of villagers' money has been used to provide a playing field primarily with the school in mind; a sports pavilion is envisaged.

· The governors point out that no capital receipts will accrue to the County Council if the school was sold.

· The quality of the fabric of the current building is good.

· There is a proposed housing development to the north of Romsey (Abbottswood) which, although the start date is uncertain, will generate additional children. There would be space for these children within Romsey schools but the Ampfield governing body has clearly stated that they believe that a small village school with CE status should be available for potential Abbottswood parents.

3.2 The Cabinet met informally on 14 March 2005 in order to consider the future of Ampfield School. The Cabinet discussed the various issues set out above and reached an informal unanimous decision to keep the school open. The Schools Adjudicator was immediately alerted to the fact that the Cabinet was minded to keep Ampfield School open.

3.3 If the Schools Adjudicator reaches a determination regarding the proposal, the Council will be bound by that determination. It is therefore important that if the Council decides to keep Ampfield School open, it must send written notification to the Schools Adjudicator withdrawing the earlier proposal before the Adjudicator determines the proposal.

4. Recommendation

That, having considered the views expressed informally at the Cabinet meeting on 14 March 2005, the Cabinet confirms that Ampfield Church of England Primary School should remain open for the reasons set out in the report and that the Council's earlier statutory proposal to close the school should be withdrawn.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None