Contact: Peter Colenutt, Education Officer (School Review)

01962 846157; [email protected]

Alex Munro, Education Officer (Admissions & Special Projects)

01962 846462; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

a. That public notices be published in accordance with Sections 28 and 29 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1988, to:

· Discontinue Shepherds Spring Infant School and Shepherds Spring Junior School with effect from 31 August 2008 and

· Establish a new two form entry community primary school, to cater for 420 pupils aged 4 - 11 at East Anton, with effect from 1 September 2009;

b. Discussions take place with parents and governing bodies of local schools about arrangements accommodating pupils following the closure of the Shepherds Spring schools. Every assistance reasonably possible will be given to parents to accommodate their wishes;

c. The Andover Education Centre be re-located to the Shepherds Spring Junior School building, suitably adapted with the current lease at Cricklade College being temporarily re-negotiated;

d. A full-core offer Children's Centre be established on the Shepherds Spring Infant School site;

e. Any remaining surplus land be sold to help off-set the costs of implementing the above proposals.

f. The full capital receipt from the sale of part of the Shepherds Spring site be used for the implementation of this strategy.

g. Further research be undertaken in respect of the potential funding of the Education Centre from the Direct Schools Grant;

h. All receipts, capital or revenue, will be reinvested in the Andover area;

i. That an alternative Andover school will be identified to continue to be included in the "Better Chances, Better Lives" - 12 Schools Project.

2 Reason

2.1 The County Council has a statutory responsibility to manage school places efficiently and ensure the best use of existing resources to improve pupil achievements.

2.2 These proposals support the following Corporate Aims:

· Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities, by developing strategies for the most appropriate educational provision;

· Aim 4 - building strong and safe communities, by taking full account of community and neighbourhood issues when deciding upon how best to meet the demand for additional school places;

· Aim 5 - improving services, by considering solutions which will contribute to the raising of educational standards.

2.3 These decisions support the aims of the Children Act:

The five outcomes specified in the Children Act are set out below, with a summary of how the proposals in this report contribute to their achievement:

being healthy: (enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle) - by ensuring that the proposals promote every opportunity for pupils to take physical exercise and that recreational facilities are safeguarded;

staying safe: (being protected from harm and neglect) - by having access to a secure learning environment and ensuring that school provision is within a reasonable distance;

enjoying and achieving: (getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood) - by providing a high standard of education for children in suitable buildings, where possible within their own community;

making a positive contribution: (being involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour) - by safeguarding friendship and neighbourhood groups by providing primary education as close to pupils' homes as reasonably practicable;

economic well-being: (not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life) - by ensuring that proposals will be to the benefit of all children and give them a sound start to their schooling and future ability to provide both for themselves and their families.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The creation of a one form entry 210 place primary school on the Shepherds Spring Infant and Junior School site.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker - none.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6 Reason for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T K Thornber, CBE