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 The following decision is sought:

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:

1.2 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.

c) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services undertake a detailed feasibility study to create a 1fe (one form entry) 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).

d) 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

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 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

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

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.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The status quo, that is retaining separate infant and junior schools. However, this would neither address the issue of surplus places nor ensure the retention of viable primary education for this discrete community.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 Not applicable.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)