Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of Botley CE Primary School

11 January 2005 - 7.00 pm

The meeting was attended by 8 governors and the headteacher.

Pupil Numbers

· Governors queried if the new Dowd's Farm School were to go ahead would this reduce the number of out of catchment area children likely to attend Botley CE Primary School.

· Governors raised the point that the school had recently benefited from substantial capital investment resulting in bright, new accommodation. If pupil numbers were to fall they would wish to see the school's accommodation fully utilised. A governor sought clarification regarding the admission policy of the proposed new school at Dowds Farm.

· Governors expressed concern that a new school at Dowds Farm would result in reduced pupil numbers at Botley

· A governor queried why, if the aim of the review was to reduce surplus places, the closure of Kings Copse Primary School was not being proposed.

· It was pointed out that the consultation document showed an increase in the number of 3 and 4 year olds in the next two years of approximately 30. Did this mean that the number of primary age children was set to increase in the Hedge End area?

· Governors discussed the possibility of a reduction to the school's capacity from 300 (1.5fe) to 210 (1fe) and queried what would happen if such a step were taken and there was new housing development within the area.

· Governors pointed out that Wildern Secondary School was full, and expressed concern that the Dowds Farm development could result in Botley children finding it more difficult to gain admission to Wildern.

Funding

· Governors were concerned that the consultation paper referred to possible capital investment at Kings Copse, Shamblehurst and Freegrounds Infant schools but nothing at Botley CE Primary, and queried why this was the case.

· A governor sought clarification as to whether the developer's contribution towards the cost of the Dowd's Farm School covered revenue expenditure, and if not would this result in less funding for other schools.

· Clarification was sought as to what support might be available from the LEA should Botley decide to reduce to 1fe, in terms of the utilisation of the spare capacity. Allied to this, a governor questioned whether additional revenue funding would be available to support the school.

Special Educational Needs

· Governors asked why the possible new provision for VI children and early years had been linked with the proposed new school and not other schools in the Hedge End area where appropriate space might be available.

· It was pointed out that Botley has a good reputation for meeting the needs of children with SEN and particularly those children with physical difficulties and visual impairment. Dependent upon future decisions regarding the school's capacity governors felt that Botley could accommodate the provision for VI children referred to in the report.

Other

· One governor asked whether a decision could be taken to close one of the existing primary schools and use the accommodation for secondary provision.

· A governor pointed out that the parish council has recently appointed a person to work with and provide appropriate activities for young members of the community. The postholder is likely to be based in Botley village and therefore may be able to support Botley CE Primary School in any future developments which would be of mutual interest.

· A governor asked whether any future strategy would result in a review of catchment areas.

· Governors sought clarification as to whether the meeting of the Education Policy Review Committee was an open public meeting or a meeting open to the public.

Summary

· The governing body stated its preference was for the proposed new school at Dowd's Farm not to be built. Should the decision be taken to build a new school then the governing body resolved to reserve its position as to the best way forward for the school.

Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of King Copse Primary School

12 January 2005 - 6.00 pm

The meeting was attended by 14 governors and the headteacher.

Pupil Numbers

· Governors sought confirmation that if the development option for housing on the school site were to take place that the school would be able to accommodate all of its forecast pupils.

· A governor pointed out that Kings Copse School will need the additional pupils given the decline in the pupil population in the area and the potential vulnerability of the school.

Development Options

· Governors sought clarification as to whether the development options for Kings Copse would be shared with the other governing bodies as part of the consultation exercise. It was stressed by the governors that they would not want to see development for housing on their site without investment into Kings Copse Primary School.

· Governors expressed the view that they would wish to be involved in the development of the brief for a rebuilt or redeveloped school. Allied to this was the strongly expressed view that any development of the school should not result in a need for temporary classrooms.

· Governors wished to know whether Eastleigh Borough Council were aware of the proposals.

Special Educational Needs

· Governors asked whether the proposed new school at Dowds Farm had been identified to accommodate the specialist resourced provision for primary age children with visual impairment (VI) referred to in the consultation report.

· Governors stressed that they would welcome the opportunity for VI provision to be accommodated in a rebuilt or redeveloped Kings Copse school

· Clarification was sought as to how the final decision will be made about whether and where the VI provision will be located.

· A governor asked whether the places for VI children would be included in the school's planned admission number.

Secondary School Provision

· One governor sought clarification as to whether thought had been given to the impact of the Dowds Farm development on secondary school provision, and pointed out that Wildern is currently over-subscribed.

· A governor asked whether consideration had been given to expanding Wildern School onto the Shamblehurst site.

Other

· Governors expressed the view that the catchment areas within the Hedge End area were an anomaly and that consideration should be given to increasing the Kings Copse catchment area in an attempt to address the shortfall in numbers at the school.

· Clarification was sought regarding the potential capital receipts which would be used to fund improvement works as part of the overall strategy, and whether these would be generated solely from the Kings Copse School site.

· A governor asked whether the proposed new school at Dowd's Farm and the rebuild or redevelopment of Kings Copse were inextricably linked or whether one could happen without the other.

Summary

· Governors expressed a general view that the proposed strategy represented welcome and positive news for investment in the south of Hedge End, and that they looked forward to continuing to work with the local education authority in progressing the development options.

Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of Freegrounds Infant and Junior Schools

17 January 2005 - 6.30 pm

The meeting was attended by 17 governors, including two headteachers and one deputy.

Pupil Numbers

· Governors pointed out that there was considerable turbulence at the junior school in terms of pupil numbers, although numbers are predicted to fall in line with county trends. If Dowd's Farm was not built, then more children would attend Freegrounds Junior School.

· A governor asked how far in advance does the LEA plan for in terms of pupil numbers.

· The point was made that, should all of the 190 children forecast to come from Dowd's Farm be of the same age, the school could end up empty in the other year groups.

· The headteacher of the junior school reported that, as numbers fall, the school will need to go to vertical classes, dropping from a 12 to 11 class organisation.

· It was also reported that 70% of the school roll reside outside the school's catchment area.

Funding

· A governor expressed the view that the capital expenditure earmarked for the Dowd's Farm School would be better spent at Wildern as the school is full.

· Another governor expressed the view that the LEA would be better investing funding for the proposed new school at Dowd's Farm at the other local primary schools.

· Clarification was sought as to whether any shortfall in funding for the Hedge End strategy would be addressed from the education capital programme.

· A governor expressed the view that the most equitable pattern of capital investment in the areas schools would be to spread funding across all of them.

Development Options

· Governors wished to know the rationale behind the strategy for the rebuilding of Kings Copse Primary.

· A governor asked for details of the anticipated funding and costings for the strategy.

· A governor expressed a view that, should funding become tight, the replacement temporary classroom project at Freegrounds Infant could be jeopardised.

· Governors asked, should the new school not take place, would the proposed works at the other schools still happen.

· The County Council policy to replace temporary classrooms was referred to, stating that the temporary building at Freegrounds Infant School should be replaced irrespective of the Hedge End strategy.

· The question was asked whether houses would be built on the site reserved for the school should the new school not be approved.

· The question was asked whether officers had looked at the closure of Kings Copse School and making the Freegrounds Schools four forms of entry.

· A governor asked whether primary provision outside of the Hedge End area had been considered as part of this review.

Other

· Governors wished to know how the junior school would benefit from the review and whether the LEA was aware of the development profile of housing for Dowd's Farm.

· A governor asked whether Durley Primary School numbers have been considered in this review.

· It was pointed out that when Kings Copse was first built, the County Council stated that they would bus children to the school.

· A governor stated that, when Eastleigh first consulted with heads about the proposed new school, the local headteachers were opposed to it.

· One member of the governing body stated that the main reason the housing proposals had gone ahead was because local residents had not stood up to Eastleigh Borough Council.

· A view was expressed that the Dowd's Farm School is a "done deal" and that to turn down the proposal would look bad on the County Council.

· Governors queried whether the employment of staff for the new school had been considered. Noting numbers at Kings Copse and Shamblehurst would be reducing some staff from these schools could go to the proposed new Dowd's Farm School.

· A further question was asked about staffing and, in particular, whether there were the quality staff around to fill the new school.

· A governor stated that the strategy put forward for Hedge End as a whole is a sensible solution for the area.

· A governor reported that the proposal to replace the temporary building at the infant school was good news and that this would give the school permanent capacity for three forms of entry.

· Governors expressed the view that the access road to both schools could do with some improvement.

· A governor reported that the new parents of Dowd's Farm will want their children to go to a school serving the specific local community.

Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of St. James' CE Primary School

19 January 2005 - 7.30 pm

16 people in attendance including the headteacher and representative from Eastleigh Borough Council.

Buildings

· Governors referred to the 9 December Executive Member report and pointed out that St. James' CE Primary School was the only school with pupil numbers forecast to rise in excess of its capacity. Concern was expressed that there was no identification of funding to improve facilities at the school.

· Governors pointed out that the condition of pupil toilets were a health and safety issue and that current costings for refurbishment were in the order of £85,000, a sum in excess of the school's accrued devolved capital allocation. Governors perceived that there was a need for pupil changing rooms and it was also stressed that the school has a number of dedicated staff who have real concerns about the toilets and lack of changing facilities.

· Governors referred to the planned disposal of the Moorgreen Road land, which is adjacent to the school site, and asked whether some of that receipt could be used for investment in their school.

· Governors queried whether committing the schools devolved capital allocation to the toilet refurbishment project would lessen the chance of capital monies for other infrastructure works, which might arise from the funding strategy for investment in the areas schools.

· Governors expressed disappointment that the strategy could mean a new school for Kings Copse, with St. James' being left in an older style building.

Secondary School Provision

· Governors asked, given the 765 dwellings proposed for Dowd's Farm, whether St. James' children would be able to secure a place at Wildern School.

· It was pointed out that earlier pupil forecast figures that had been presented in respect of Wildern School had proved to be inaccurate

· A governor expressed the view that, if parents of children at St. James' School did not think they would get a place at Wildern, they may take a decision to move house.

Special Educational Needs

· A governor referred to the mention of VI provision in the consultation report and asked whether this could be accommodated in the new Kings Copse School if it was rebuilt.

Other

· Governors mentioned that the Hedge End area had experienced a considerable amount of infill in terms of housing and that there was likely to be further developments ahead and in particular one at Turnpike Way.

· Governors pointed out that housing on the Kings Copse site will also have an impact on future numbers.

· Governors expressed the view that the consultation report should have specifically mentioned West End and not just Hedge End.

· Governors were of the opinion that all schools in the area should benefit from some capital investment.

· It was pointed out that, at a meeting some years ago, an education officer had stated to governors that there were no plans to build a new school at Dowd's Farm.

· A governor sought clarification as to whether the number of dwellings identified on the Moorgreen Road land could increase.

· It was pointed out that the parish council have objected to the planning application for Moorgreen Road.

· A governor asked what happens about the revenue funding for the new school.

Summary

In summary, the chairman of governors pointed out that there are two main issues for St. James' CE Primary School:

1. that children at the school whose parents wished it, would be able to attend Wildern School at the age of transfer; and

2. that the school would benefit from some capital investment.

Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of Berrywood Primary School

25 January 2005 - 6.30 pm

The meeting was attended by 12 governors, including the headteacher.

Early Years

· Governors commented on the fact that the consultation paper referred to the potential need for an Early Years facility - was it intended that such a facility will be attached to the proposed Dowd's Farm School?

· The governors wished to express an interest in establishing an Early Years facility at Berrywood School. The governors stated that the school has an established record of high achievement and would be a good base for such a new facility.

Secondary School Provision

· Governors raised the point that Wildern Secondary School is full and questioned what impact the additional Dowd's Farm children will have on secondary numbers.

Other

· The question was asked as to what impact the reduction of capacity at Kings Copse and Shamblehurst will have on staff and whether these staff could be redeployed at the new school.

· A governor referred to the fact that the Dowd's Farm development is forecast to generate 190 children, meaning that there will be a further 20 places available. This being the case, are there any plans to change catchment areas.

· A governor made the point that it is difficult to get parents to walk to school with their children and that once in their cars they could drive to the schools with surplus places. Failing this, could the LEA not provide a bus service.

Summary

The governors advised officers that they will consider the information presented to them and formally write with their response.

Primary School Provision in the Hedge End Area

Note of consultation meeting with the governors of Shamblehurst Primary School

27 January 2005 - 6.15 pm

The meeting was attended by 11 governors, including the headteacher and deputy headteacher.

Proposed New School

· A governor sought clarification as to when the new school would be in place.

· The governing body sought clarification regarding the admission policy for the new school and what would happen to Dowd's Farm children prior to the anticipated opening of the school in September 2007.

· Governors referred to the point that capital monies had been identified for the new school and asked where the revenue budget would come from.

Development Options

· The headteacher reported that she had been working closely with officers from the LEA over the last two years to ensure that recent works undertaken by the school linked into the overall development strategy for primary provision in the area.

· A governor asked whether the proposed works will link in with the travel plan project proposed for the school by Eastleigh Borough Council.

Other

· Governors expressed the firm view that they would not wish to see their admission number increase above 60.

· A governor asked whether the planned 765 dwellings would generate more than 190 children.

· A governor sought clarification as to how the proposed school would have an impact on catchment areas.

· A governor questioned whether, in light of parental choice, are catchment areas relevant.

· If the new school was not to happen, what would the strategy be?

Summary

· The view was expressed by a governor that, whilst they disagreed with the housing development at Dowd's Farm, that was not the reason for the consultation this evening and that failing to build a new school at Dowd's Farm would lead to chaos for Shamblehurst Primary.

· Governors asked for the view of the headteacher on the proposal. The headteacher reported that there had been an open and honest dialogue throughout the process. The head also reported that the strategic decision to reduce Shamblehurst's admission number to 60 was not only helpful to Shamblehurst Primary in terms of its accommodation but also to other schools with surplus places in the immediate vicinity.

· Governors were supportive of the strategy proposed in the consultation process.