Archived decisions

Appendix 1

Public Meeting to discuss the review of primary education in the Andover area

Date: Monday 27 March 2006

Time: 7.00 pm

Venue: Winton School (Specialist School - Technology)

The meeting was attended by:

Councillor David Kirk - Executive Member for Education

Peter Colenutt - Assistant Education Officer (School Review)

Alex Munro - Education Officer (Admissions & Special Projects)

Martin Goff - Assistant Education Officer (Admissions)

149 staff, governors, parents, members of the public and councillors

Cllr Kirk emphasised that the Council would listen carefully to all suggestions and that innovative solutions were not ruled out. The options offered for consultation were a starting point but it was important to recognise that maintaining the status quo was not an option.

Issues raised:

1. Mr Colenutt and Mr Munro made a brief presentation, ending with a summary of the key points which had emerged from the consultations to date, namely:

· Knights Enham and Shepherds Spring are separate communities

· Safety concerns about bridge and road crossings.

· Excellent care and teaching by both sets of schools.

· One school rather than two at East Anton

· Make more use of existing schools

· Importance of pre-school provision.

2. In the question and answer session, the following issues were raised:

· Why is there no mention of village schools, in particular at least one of them has more than 25% surplus places?

· Some parents have removed their children because of the Andover review. Is it fair to allow these losses to impact on the decision?

· Changing school provision in existing communities ruins the community. It is inconsistent to argue for a school to serve a new community and then take away a school that serves a current community.

· We are talking about the population of Andover, If we take away the schools then the young people will be let down and will leave the area.

· If a school is to close when will it happen?

· How will the children be supported if a closure occurs at the time when they do their SATs?

· What support will there be for the teachers if they are going to best support the children?

· The argument is presented as though it is one about numbers but we are talking about two existing communities which have significant social difficulties and the schools have become the focal point. How will you support these communities?

· Where will the support be for a given community if a school is closed?

· The Hampshire rate is largest proportion of council tax. Are we communicating with the rest of Hampshire about why we are spending money closing two schools in order to open two schools?

· Are there spare spaces in secondary schools and, if so, can the Shepherds Spring and Knights Enham spaces be utilized by secondary pupils?

· Does funding from rates pay for pre-school places?

· There is a predicted decrease in numbers in 2010? How do you know? Have you got crystal balls?

· Do numbers grow and exceed the places in secondary schools?

· It is all about money; can't East Anton children fill spaces in existing schools? You are just trying to get two free new schools and a capital receipt from a closed school site.

· Will any capital receipt be spent in Andover or elsewhere?

· Where will children's centres be built?

· Has any application been put in for change of usage of the Knights Enham Junior School playing field?

· Can you explain why you started your review in North Andover? The Alamein ward regeneration initiative is already going on with the LSP.

· I don't believe a school at East Anton should be achieved by closing other schools. Why can't children in new houses go to Shepherds Spring and fill up surplus places? Saxon Fields development didn't get new school, why not?

· Primary schools should be established at both Shepherds Spring and Knights Enham, with children's centres in each. Currently short of these options in the consultations.

· If one of the schools is closed and the additional provision is created will it be in temporary or permanent buildings? There are too many children across two schools, so how will they be accommodated if one school is closed? What about maximum class sizes?

· Why isn't Roman Way in the equation? Why not consider a change in catchment area instead?

· What is reasonable for a family on a new development? Houses won't sell on new development if there is no school there-that is the real motivation!

· Can pre-school be hived off and treated separately from the decisions on I & J schools?

· If half the houses were at Picket Twenty and half at E Anton, would you still want a new school on the new development? Are we moving the provision to new developments irrespective of the feelings of the existing community?

· HCC already has two existing good quality schools. Does it make any sense to close either of them?

· It is all facts and figures: no talk about children! How will you support children in settling in (to a new school)? Existing rivalry, how will you overcome it?

· Whom will you employ to help children/schools? The potential closure is fuelling rivalry. Major difficulties between the children in the event of closure.

· How do you pay for a new school given the presumption that surplus places need to be removed to free up money? How will you get a big enough school-A families have 2/3 children?

· Section 106 agreements - are they PFI (private finance initiatives)?

· Two existing communities plus a new community-remodel existing facilities to create resources in all communities.

· Proposing closure has lead to 2 schools finding it harder to recruit and they are blighted. HCC is promoting children leaving their local schools and choosing elsewhere.

· Would you be here without E Anton? Would you have targeted just these two schools?

· There has been a special Andover project to support the town with its unique problems. How do these proposals fit in with the purpose of that Andover project?

· Children Act requires you to take everything into account rather than isolate certain schools. Proposal: small schools throughout Andover to help it through its own special issues.

· The communities need bringing together not pulling apart. You started with the proposals which have created anger, you should have talked with the community first.

· Two years ago, the forecast for Knights Enham Junior was 130, there are now 180 on roll. Can you be confident of the forecasts?

· The consultation starts with the most divisive option. Can't you begin with lesser impact options?

· Is there any advice to support parents whose children are worried about the current situation?

· Many people are anxious. It is Hampshire County Council's responsibility to keep people informed.

· We need consistency in figures.

· Reassure us that you work with TVBC and HCC transport.

· It takes 30 years to build a community-don't destroy them.

· TVBC spent 2 million on old balls in the High Street.

· Why have HCC refused to publicise this meeting-it was not publicised to the public!

· A request for an official working party of:

_ Headteachers and parent governors meeting with officers to ensure that a compromise solution is found and to overcome protocols and pressure from Westminster and work together.

_ Councillor Kirk offered to take place of officers

· Ensure that TVBC and HCC councillors have tonight's record. Cllr Kirk agreed that this would be done.

· Headteachers will support parents/children and staff as best they can throughout this process.

· Local county councillors Pat West and Robin Hughes explained why they had to declare an interest in these matters.