Contact: Peter Colenutt - School Organisation Officer

Tel: 01962 846157 E-mail: [email protected]

Alex Munro - School Organisation Officer

Tel: 01962 846462 E-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 On 17 May 2007 the Executive Member (with special responsibility) for Education authorised local consultations following the request from Meadowlands Infant and Meadowlands Junior Schools' governing bodies to consider amalgamating their schools. This report provides details of the outcome of those consultations and puts forward a proposal to create a 210 place (one form entry - 1fe) community primary school with early years provision on the Meadowlands site.

1.2 The implications of the Education and Inspection Act 2006 for aspects of school organisation decisions were reported to Cabinet on 21 May 2007. Section 10(1) of the 2006 Act allows local authorities (LAs) to seek approval from the Secretary of State to publish proposals for a new community school outside the competition procedure. The Secretary of State's approval to waive the competition procedure was given on 12 September 2007.

1.3 The following appendices are included with this report:

· Appendix 1: notes of meetings held with the governing bodies, parents and staff of both Meadowlands Infant and Junior Schools.

· Appendix 2: LA commentary on school performance for both schools

· Appendix 3: a map of the schools' catchment area

· Appendix 4: a plan of the Meadowlands Schools' site

· Appendix 5: consultation document

· Appendix 6: a list of correspondence received

1.4 In addition to consultation with the schools' governing bodies, parents and staff, the views of the Hampshire Action Team (HAT), local county councillor, Havant Borough Council, the Local Strategic Partnership, local MP, trade union representatives, parish councils and the Church of England and Roman Catholic Dioceses have also been sought.

1.5 The Executive Lead Member is asked to decide whether the proposal to amalgamate the two schools with the continuation of early years provision on the Meadowlands School site as suggested by the governing bodies of the Meadowlands schools should be pursued through the publication of statutory notices.

1.6 The issues raised in this report reflect the County Council's corporate strategy:

· Hampshire safer and more secure for all

· Maximising well-being

· Enhancing our quality of place

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

1.7 The retention of a primary school in this area of acknowledged deprivation within the county will contribute greatly to children's life opportunities at an early stage in their development. The impact on the Every Child Matters agenda and its associated outcomes are set out in Section 18.

2 Recommendations

That, as the governing bodies of Meadowlands Infant and Junior Schools give their general support to the following proposals, namely the discontinuance of the two existing schools and the establishment of a one form entry primary school, in accordance with the Cabinet's decision of 21 May 2007, the decision to publish statutory proposals falls to the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education). It is recommended that the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) determine the following proposals::

2.1 That public notices be published in accordance with Sections 10 and 15 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to:

a) discontinue Meadowlands Infant School and Meadowlands Junior School with effect from 31 March 2009; and

b) establish a one form entry community primary school outside of a competition, to cater for 210 pupils aged 4 - 11 plus pre-school provision, in remodelled junior school buildings on the Meadowlands Schools' site, with effect from 1 April 2009.

2.2 That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services undertake a detailed feasibility study to create a 1fe primary school with early years provision in the existing Junior School buildings financed from the disposal of surplus land as outlined in option 1 (paragraph 14.2).

2.3 That a recommendation be made to the Executive Member Policy and Resources that 100% of the capital receipt from the sale of the surplus part of the Meadowlands School site be used for implementing the strategy.

3 Strategic implications of surplus places

3.1 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 need for school places changes in response to population movements and birth rate variations. In many areas of the county the child population is declining; in other areas, new housing developments are creating the need for additional school accommodation. Population changes mean that schools may go through periods when there is pressure on places and others when there is a surplus.

3.2 The number of schools with 25% or more surplus places is considered in the County Council's Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). In recent years, the number of Hampshire schools in this category has risen, as a result of demographic pressures, but has remained in line with the national average. In January 2007, there were 52 primary schools with more than 25% surplus places.

3.3 The underlying trend of significantly falling rolls continues to lead to an increase in the number of schools with surplus capacity, in spite of measures to reduce surpluses through area reviews and local re-designation and re-use of general teaching spaces. The number of primary schools with more than 25% surplus places is forecast to rise to around 70 if further measures are not taken. Both Meadowlands Infant and Meadowlands Junior Schools currently have surpluses significantly in excess of 25% which are forecast to rise further, as shown in Table 1.

4 Context

4.1 Since the early 1990s primary pupil numbers in the Waterlooville area have been closely monitored. The falling rolls at the Meadowlands Schools have been a concern of both governing bodies which led to their request to the local authority to establish an amalgamated 210 place primary school on the site. The Meadowlands infant and junior schools share one site and mainly serve a discrete community on the Wecock estate in north Waterlooville.

4.2 The schools are ranked thirteenth and fifteenth respectively on the indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) which ranks all 431 Hampshire primary schools from 1-431, with number 1 being the most deprived. The geography and demography of surrounding areas are such that there is a clear rationale for focussing solely on these two schools in the context of the removal of surplus places.

4.3 The proposals, if implemented, would reduce the number of surplus places in line with the County Council's policy, endorsed by the Cabinet on 25 June 2007 and would retain primary school provision in an area of deprivation. The governing bodies wish to create a viable primary school which will provide high quality teaching and learning facilities and continue to build on the well-established early years provision on site. Governors are keen to develop further the existing partnership working with the nearby Links Children's Centre (paragraph 13.10 refers) and for consideration to be given to how provision for children, families and the wider community might be enhanced.

4.4 The building brief is for the provision of a 210 place primary school with pre-school provision. Feasibility studies, as outlined in section 14, have been undertaken of both the infant and junior school buildings and sites to compare existing provision with the current benchmark primary school building brief.

5 Pupil numbers and schools' capacities

5.1 Table 1 shows the capacity and primary numbers on roll and the level of surplus places for both schools.

Table 1

5.2 The combined forecast number on roll of 169 in 2012 falls significantly below the current 423 place capacity (2 forms of entry (fe) equivalent) and below that of a 210 place 1 fe primary school. These numbers are predicated upon the continued pattern of approximately one-third of children living within the Meadowlands catchment area attending the schools. It is anticipated that the establishment of a primary school along with the proposed re-investment within this discrete community will attract a greater number of children from within the schools' catchment area.

6 Process and timescale

6.1 Under the requirements of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, the Secretary of State has given approval to Hampshire County Council to publish proposals to establish a 1fe primary school on the Meadowlands School site outside of the competition procedure. The 2006 Act normally requires new schools to be open to competition but Ministers have indicated that they might be prepared to give consent in the case of a straightforward amalgamation of infant and junior schools where a replacement primary school is proposed. An application to the Secretary of State was made in accordance with this guidance. In view of this and the firm support for the existing governors to continue with the long term governance of the school, it is recommended that this proposal be considered outside of a competition. In addition, the governors have expressed concern about the length of time of the whole process which would result in uncertainty for staff, children and parents alike, should a competition be required.

6.2 The public notice will run for a period of six weeks. As the proposals will involve the establishment of a new school by the local authority, the decision will need to be considered by the Schools Adjudicator, regardless of whether any objections are received. It is anticipated that the earliest date the new school could be established would be April 2009.

7 Summary of responses to consultation

7.1 The consultation exercise with the local community has been positive with a clear consensus in support of the proposal to amalgamate the schools. The governing bodies of both Meadowlands Infant and Meadowlands Junior Schools remain fully committed to the proposal.

7.2 A number of issues were raised about the implementation which are summarised in the following paragraphs. Notes of the consultation meetings are attached at Appendix 1 and a list of correspondence received is attached at Appendix 6. Copies of all responses were on deposit in the Members' Room during the week prior to the Executive Member decision day on 11 October 2007.

Analysis of responses to consultations via e-mail, letter or reply slips:

7.3 A consultation document (Appendix 5) was produced for the local school community in which two specific questions were asked of respondents:

· Do you agree with the amalgamation proposal?

· Do you disagree with the amalgamation proposal?

7.4 Table 2 shows the responses to the consultation questions:

Table 2

	Number	%
1) Do you agree with the amalgamation proposal?	32	97%
2) Do you disagree with the amalgamation proposal?	1	3%

Responses and comments received from the consultation

7.5 Having engaged with their schools' community the governing bodies of both Meadowlands Infant and Meadowlands Junior Schools remain fully committed to the proposals and seek to see the strategy implemented outside the competition procedure referred to in paragraphs 1.2 and Section 6, thereby minimising the period of uncertainty for the schools and community.

Staffing

7.6 Staff asked how appointments to a new primary school would be made. They pointed out that if a primary school was initially expected to operate in separate buildings (pending the completion of building works) there would be implications for staffing structures.

7.7 Staff and governors queried the positions of existing staff if they did not secure a job in an amalgamated primary school, particularly with regard to potential redundancies.

Buildings

7.8 Clarification was sought as to which building would be used for the new primary school. Issues surrounding each building were explored. Parents expressed the view that whichever building was ultimately used, it must be properly adapted to ensure the full range of need of primary age pupils was met.

7.9 Parents also sought clarification about what would happen should the planning permission for the proposed housing on the surplus part of the site be turned down. The question was also asked whether, if the land were sold, the school would receive any financial benefit.

7.10 Staff, governors and parents also sought reassurance that the building project would be managed in such a way as to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of all pupils.

Pupil numbers and planning of school places

7.11 Staff wished to know whether the forecast numbers produced for the school allowed for future housing developments and whether discussions take place with Havant Borough Council about planned future housing. Reference was also made to the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area (MDA).

7.12 Staff made the point that the current uncertainty about the future of the school was contributing to the fall in pupil numbers and stated the situation needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

7.13 Staff, governors and parents sought clarification as to when the new school would open and questioned why the process took so long.

Early years

7.14 The importance of retaining early years provision on the Meadowlands School site was emphasised in view of the high level of deprivation in the area.

8 Havant Borough Council: response to consultation

8.1 The Borough Council has no objection to the principle of amalgamating Meadowlands Infant and Junior Schools to create an all-through 210 place (1fe) primary school and support the proposal to retain a school in this community.

9 Diocesan view

9.1 This amalgamation will not have a direct impact on the Church of England and Roman Catholic dioceses and no comments have been received.

10 Members' visits

10.1 The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) visited both schools on 19 September 2007.

11 Hampshire Action Team (HAT)

11.1 The HAT for Havant accepted the proposal to amalgamate Meadowlands Infant and Junior schools in order to form a primary school. Members and Community Board representatives noted that based on the information available, this proposal could lead to more efficient use of resources, which could realistically translate into improved quality of education in the area. Concern was expressed about continued development in the area and the pressures that would be placed on the infrastructure. In terms of this, therefore, the HAT wished to be assured that any changes would bear in mind the future plans and would not negatively impact on the continued provisioning of education services in the area.

12 Views of the local County Councillor

12.1 The local County Councillor John West was consulted and stated that:

"As the local county councillor, I welcome the action taken by the governing bodies in respect of this proposal. The proposed primary school along with the planned improvements will be an asset for this community."

13 Responses to issues raised during consultation

13.1 The following general comments are given on the main issues arising from the consultations. As referred to in paragraph 7.5, the governors remain fully committed to the proposal to establish a primary school on the Meadowlands School site.

Staffing

13.2 If a primary school is formed from existing infant and junior schools, a temporary governing body for the new school would be constituted prior to its opening. The temporary governing body would appoint the headteacher who would then work with the temporary governing body to appoint staff. Any displaced staff from the closing infant and junior schools would, with the agreement of the temporary governing body, be given first opportunity to apply for positions in the new primary school. Officers of the County Council would work closely with the temporary governing body to ensure that, as far as possible, their professional needs and aspirations of all staff are met.

Buildings

13.3 The consultation exercise with the governing bodies focussed on the overall benefits of this strategy for primary school provision on the Meadowlands School site. The accommodation needs of a 1fe primary school have been considered against the current primary school building brief and are outlined in section 14. The funding strategy for the scheme is covered in section 15.

13.4 When undertaking building works the County Council uses its experience and expertise to ensure high standards of product and process. Disruption is kept to a minimum and the schools are fully involved in the developments.

13.5 As with any building project undertaken by the County Council, it will be a requirement on the contractor to produce and adhere to a strict Health and Safety plan, with work causing as little disruption to the day to day workings of the school as possible.

Pupil numbers and planning of school places

13.6 Discussion centred upon future numbers of children in the area. The forecast pupil numbers shown in Table 1 take into account all planned new housing, including type and tenure, and are based upon small area population forecasts which detail the number of 0 - 4 year olds in the area. There is no planned significant new housing proposed in the area served by the Meadowlands schools in Havant Borough Council's local plan, which covers the period up to 2012.

13.7 The proposed strategy represents a net reduction in forecast surplus places at the Meadowlands Schools from 60% to 19.5% by 2012.

13.8 On the basis that the proposal is approved by the Schools Adjudicator by March 2008, the earliest the new school could be established would be April 2009 in the existing buildings.

Early Years Education and Childcare

13.9 Meadowlands Community Childcare & Pre-School is a company limited by guarantee providing early years education and childcare on the school site. Registration is for 50 places covering children from 2 - 8 years. The provider is also a registered charity and provision occupies space in both the infant and junior schools (24 registered places at the infant school and 26 at the junior school). The registration allows the provider to run holiday care, which is well used.

13.10 The Links Children's Centre, located approximately ½ mile from the Meadowlands schools, works closely with Meadowlands Community Childcare & Pre-School as part of its outreach work. The Children's Centre runs a satellite parent and toddler group from the Meadowlands Junior School building. Since the Links Centre has only limited space in its own building, retaining the parent and toddler provision on the Meadowlands site is essential to meet the service delivery requirements of the Children's Centre. The main full day-care for the Links Children's Centre is Squirrels Day Care, which is housed in a nearby community centre. Squirrels is registered for 46 places from 0 - 8 years and also offers holiday care.

Extended Schools

13.11 By 2010, all primary schools should be delivering the core offer of extended services after consultation with children, parents and local community partners. This includes access to childcare at or through the school from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm all year round, parenting support including information sessions, parenting programmes and family learning, study support and activities for children.

14 Feasibility options

14.1 The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has undertaken feasibility work to identify the most appropriate building and site configuration for a suitably adapted 1fe primary school with early years provision. The following options have been considered:

Recommended Option

14.2 Option 1: retain the existing junior school building and refurbish to create a 1fe primary with early years provision, demolish the existing infant school, form a new playing field, provide new car parking, entrance and external play area, and dispose of the surplus land.

· The existing junior school buildings are substantially larger in area than the existing infant school building. The accommodation for a 1fe primary school with early years provision could be contained within the existing building with the addition of a minor extension to the existing school entrance.

· The existing junior school buildings have a lower long term maintenance liability and the two main buildings of the existing school have the added benefit of being recently re-clad.

· This option maximises the area of surplus land for disposal and offers the potential for a higher capital receipt for reinvestment than option 2

· Subject to the conditions outlined in the capital strategy (section 15) and to the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources, it is anticipated that the capital receipt will be sufficient to cover the capital cost of this option.

Other options considered

14.3 Option 2: Retain/extend existing infant school as a 1fe primary school, provide new access road, new car parking and external play, demolish the junior school buildings and dispose of the surplus land.

· The existing infant school building was originally constructed in 1969 and added to in 1970 to provide a 3FE capacity infant school. It is system built SCOLA 2 and single storey.

· The existing infant school building is significantly smaller in floor area than the existing junior school and smaller in area than the accommodation required for the proposed 1FE primary school and early years provision. Further, a number of the key teaching and non-teaching rooms in the infant school, such as the hall, are smaller than those in the junior school buildings. As such, this option would necessitate addition of a substantial new build extension as well as refurbishment of the existing building. The capital costs for this option are significantly greater than the capital costs of option 3.

· The existing infant school building is currently experiencing some structural subsidence due to local ground conditions which would need to be addressed if the building is refurbished and a higher long term maintenance liability compared with the junior school building which has been recently re-clad.

· Any capital receipt from disposal of surplus land in this option would be less than the capital receipt in option 1 and would not be sufficient to cover the cost of the proposed works in this option..

14.4 Option 3: Demolish all existing infant and junior school buildings, build an all new 1fe primary school with early years provision and dispose of the surplus school land.

· This option would be possible in principle, but is by far the most expensive option and would considerably exceed the likely capital receipt from the sale of any surplus land.

15 Capital Strategy

15.1 As indicated earlier, funding for the capital works proposed in this report would be provided from the sale of surplus land on the school site for residential development.

15.2 Estimates of the amount of the capital receipt are subject to completion of feasibility studies, the granting of appropriate planning consents by Havant Borough Council and the approval of the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to the disposal of any playing fields. To maximise this major investment in education provision in the area, further discussions will need to take place with Havant Borough Council. In addition, contributions from the devolved capital allocations from both the Meadowlands schools are also expected. Approval by the Executive Member, Policy and Resources will be needed to retain 100% of the capital receipts for reinvestment in this project. It is likely that the funding anticipated through capital receipts will need to be provided through prudential borrowing in advance of the land sale, which will require similar approval.

16 Revenue implications

16.1 The proposed new primary school will be funded on the basis of the Local Management (LM) formula for a 1fe primary school. By merging two schools into one, there will be a net ongoing saving of £75,000 per annum which will be retained in the schools' block (for use by all schools). In keeping with the LM scheme, the new school will receive additional funding to enable the appointment of its headteacher in advance of the school's opening. Revenue balances from the closing schools will transfer to the new school.

17 Conclusion

17.1 The County Council needs to take strategic decisions which are in the best long term interests of children in the Meadowlands community.

17.2 The proposal to amalgamate the infant and junior schools was initiated by the governing bodies. The combined number on roll at the infant and junior schools in January 2007 was 229 (91 infant and 138 junior) and this is forecast to fall further to 169 in 2011. The percentage of surplus places in January 2011 (49% at the infant and 68% at the junior) is not sustainable, nor would it be recognised as such either by the Department for Children, Schools and Families or the Audit Commission. These numbers are predicated upon the continued pattern of approximately one-third of children living within the Meadowlands catchment area attending the schools. It is anticipated that the establishment of a primary school along with the proposed re-investment within this discrete community will attract a greater number of children from within the schools' catchment area.

17.3 The governing bodies of the 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, the associated diseconomies of scale through the real term protection element of the LM formula to support curriculum delivery and to help cover the cost of under-occupied school buildings.

17.4 Governors' and staff comments have been carefully considered when producing the feasibility options for the remodelled building. The proposed strategy would improve the teaching and learning facilities by creating a 210 place primary school and early years provision designed to meet curriculum needs.

18 Outcomes of the Children Act 2004

18.1 The five outcomes specified in the Children Act 2004 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 of home;

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, 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.

19 County Council Policy Requirements

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

19.2 Financial implications - sections 14 and 15 refer.

19.3 Impact assessment - a race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

19.4 Personnel implications - the aim of the County Council will be to preserve the employment position of as many of the existing employees as possible. To this end the temporary governing body will be requested to agree a framework for handling personnel issues which will emerge from the closure of the Meadowlands schools. This framework will:

· create safeguards for existing employees;

· limit disruption;

· minimise the anxiety of staff;

· seek to take account of the wishes of individuals;

· recognise the value of staff currently in post.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have 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.