Archived decisions

Contact: Chris Holt, Education Officer (Primary) 01962 845673; [email protected]

Peter Colenutt, Assistant Education Officer (School Review) 01962 846157; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1. This report seeks authority to consult on the proposal to amalgamate Burnham Copse Infant and Junior Schools to form a 210 place (one form entry) primary school. The proposal has come about following a request from the governing bodies of both schools who are concerned about the declining primary school population within the area. Governors wish to consult parents, staff and the wider schools' community on their view that a primary school will present a better opportunity to further improve children's standards of attainment. In addition it will address other Children Act objectives through the provision of a safe, healthy environment where children can enjoy their learning experiences.

1.2. The governing bodies of both schools recognise that the declining school rolls will impact on staffing levels, presenting considerable challenges in maintaining high quality curriculum delivery. Valuable resources are diverted from other schools to manage the consequences of declining pupil numbers and the associated diseconomies of scale, through the real term protection element of the local management of schools formula to support curriculum delivery and to help cover the running costs of under-occupied school buildings.

1.3. The issues raised in this report reflect the following County Council corporate aims:

· Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities;

· Aim 4 - building strong and safe communities;

· Aim 5 - improving services

through the possible provision of a primary school reflecting the County Council's primary brief, designed to improve teaching and learning facilities, and through the exploration of opportunities to meet the extended schools agenda.

1.4. The report should also be considered in light of the County Council's equalities policies, particularly in relation to:

· Admission policies which are `clear, fair and objective' as required by the DfES (2003) Code of Practice on admissions;

· Ensuring that good quality provision for children with special educational needs (SEN) is maintained and if possible enhanced;

· Providing appropriate facilities for disabled pupils in any new building or adaptations.

2 Strategic implications of surplus places

2.1. The County Council has a statutory duty to plan the provision of school places and to secure an appropriate balance locally between supply and demand. The most recent School Organisation Plan (SOP) - approved by the Executive Member for Education in December 2004 - sets out the policy framework which guides decisions on the provision of school places and takes into account factors such as geographical variations, size and location of schools, parental preferences and local population trends.

2.2. The latest review of the SOP draws attention to the rising number of surplus places in Hampshire primary schools as a result of demographic changes. The consequences of this rising surplus need to be managed effectively.

2.3. In 1997, there were 6.4% surplus places in Hampshire primary schools; by January 2004 this had risen to 9%. By January 2009 a further rise to 14% is projected, significantly above the 10% level considered a reasonable upper level by the Audit Commission. The number of four year olds in the county has been declining over recent years and this trend will continue, with a projected reduction of 12.7% over the 10 year period from 1998 to 2008 (1866 children).

2.4. In addition to making the best use of financial resources and accommodation, the removal of surplus places offers valuable opportunities to improve the learning environment through the provision of specialist teaching spaces and to enhance community provision through, for example, the development of early years facilities and SEN specialist provision. Proposals for re-organisation, therefore, should consider the need for such provision and the extent to which it can be met within existing buildings, or through new provision financed from the sale of land or from other sources including the schools' devolved capital. Through consultation with parents, staff and the wider community there will be an opportunity to comment on future provision and for this to be shaped by those who may use and provide it.

3 Background

3.1 Burnham Copse Infant and Burnham Copse Junior Schools have been working collaboratively for the past eight months with a view to eventual amalgamation. The first move towards uniting the two schools was to appoint the infant school headteacher as acting headteacher of the junior school following the post becoming vacant. The schools are presently governed by a single, collaborative governing body.

3.2 Table 1 shows present and projected numbers on roll (NOR) and accommodation capacities for the Burnham Copse schools.

3.3 Table 1

(1) The number of places available in accordance with the most recent capacity assessments

(2) The published admission number (PAN) used for admissions to the schools in 2005

4 Scope of review

4.1. Following the governing bodies' request that Burnham Copse infant and junior schools amalgamate to form a primary school, and in keeping with the process of area reviews designed to reduce surplus school places, officers have considered the numbers on roll at neighbouring schools. These are set out in Table 2.

4.2. Table 2

4.3. The overall position in schools neighbouring Burnham Copse does not show significant surplus places.

4.4. The focus of the consultation exercise will be on the removal of surplus places at the Burnham Copse schools and the creation of a robust educational establishment with high quality teaching and learning facilities on the present site. At the same time the scope to enhance or create other provision for children, families and the wider community will be considered.

5 Financial implications

5.1. Any future strategy will need to be self financing in terms of capital funding. A primary school would be located on one of the two present school sites; the other site would be expected to realise a capital receipt which would be used to fund the work necessary to create the primary school. Discussions with landowners/developers and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will be undertaken with the aim of maximising capital receipts from the sale of land to ensure the financial viability of any proposed amalgamation. A detailed financial appraisal will form part of the report on the outcomes of any consultations.

6 County Council Policy Requirements

6.1. Legal implications - The proposals comply with the statutory framework for planning school places.

6.2. Financial implications - See paragraph 5.1.

6.3. Personnel implications - None directly arising from this report.

6.4. Community cohesion, inclusiveness and partnership working - these issues will be considered as part of the consultation.

6.5. Crime prevention issues - None.

Recommendations

a) That the Executive Member with special responsibility for Education approve consultations with parents, staff, governors and other interested parties on:

the possible closure of Burnham Copse Infant and Burnham Copse Junior Schools and the creation of a 210 place (one form entry) all through primary school on the Burnham Copse Schools' site.

b) That consultations be undertaken during the autumn term 2005, with a report on the outcomes to the Children's Services Policy Review Committee and the Executive Member with special responsibility for Education in December 2005.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has 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