Archived decisions

Appendix E7

Special school provision in the New Forest

Oak Lodge School - Governors' Consultation Meeting

15 March 2007

Present from Local Authority:

Eric Smith - Education Officer (SEN)

Sue Stares - SEN Inspector

Alex Munro - Education Officer (School Organisation)

Present from Oak Lodge School:

9 governors and the clerk to the governing body

Mrs B Hawker - Headteacher

Start of Meeting: 6.30 pm

Close of meeting: 7.55 pm

Introduction

Eric Smith briefly referred to earlier discussions with local schools which had led to the setting out of a strategy for special schools in the New Forest area. He explained why consultations were now taking place and referred to the proposed funding route through TCF (primary) and BSF (secondary), emphasising the link to the phasing of the project.

The following questions were asked and comments made by governors:

Pupils

    1. We need to respond to pupils' wider needs.

    2. Transition is always difficult and great care needs to be taken with vulnerable children.

    3. Is the County Council certain that the proposed size of new secondary school will be sufficient for the number of pupils expected?

    4. Oak Lodge cannot take more pupils at the present time.

    5. It would be possible to develop post-16 satellites. Some children are not ready for college at 16.

    6. Why have 10 post-16 places been reserved?

    7. How will pupils benefit from these proposals? What evidence is there to suggest that the proposed models are effective?

    8. What would happen if there was further delay in implementing the secondary phase? How would pupils be affected?

Procedures

    9. Secondary numbers are falling on the Waterside. How would this affect the future of enhanced partnership working between mainstream and special?

    10. Why is the Forest Edge site being dealt with first?

    11. How would the two new schools operate together?

Buildings

    12. What is the realistic date for completion of the secondary phase?

    13. Is any boarding provision planned?

Staff

    14. Anxiety concerning the future of special schools generally within Hampshire has now gone away so that we can now concentrate on training and support which will be crucial for the future.

Other issues

    15. Has the health authority been involved thus far?

    16. The health authority currently provides therapy support to Salterns. The time available would inevitably be reduced if staff had to travel between two schools in the future.

    17. Schools are "communities not facilities"

    18. Would the school funding be "multi-stepped"?

    19. What funding will be available to support pupils on the roll at Applemore College who attend Oak Lodge for some of their lessons?

The governors agreed to submit a formal response to the County Council after further consideration of the proposals.