Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)

Date of Decision:

5 Sept 2008

Decision Title:

Woodcot Primary School; closure of resourced provision for hearing impaired children

Decision Reference:

Report From:

John Coughlan, Director of Children's Services

Contact name:

Eric Smith, Education Officer SEN

Tel:

01962 846245

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

The following decision(s) was/were made:

That the Executive Lead Member

1.1. notes the objections received to the Notice of the proposal to discontinue the resourced provision at Woodcot Primary School for deaf and hearing impaired pupils; and

1.2. determines that the prescribed alteration takes effect from 31 August 2009.

2) Reasons for the decision

2.1. Following the decision of the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) on 22 May 2008, the County Council published Notice, in accordance with Section 19 (1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, of its proposal to close the resourced provision at Woodcot Primary School with effect from 31 August 2009.

2.2. Consultations on the proposal were carried out in accordance with statutory requirements. Objections have been received to the Notice, including two petitions.

2.3. With regard to the objections, officers are satisfied that reasonable notice was given to the head teacher and chair of governors of Woodcot Primary School that a report on the outcome of the statutory consultations would be made to the Executive Member on 22 May, and a copy of the report was made available to them at the earliest opportunity, as soon as the report was issued. The school was advised of the right and procedure for making a deputation to the Decision meeting.

2.4. Responses to the consultation were reported fully and fairly in that report. There was not a conflict of interest in attendance by the head teacher and teacher in-charge of resourced provision at Wallisdean Junior School at meetings of the County Deaf and HI Advisory Group; this Group has not discussed detailed proposals affecting resourced provision at individual schools.

2.5 Funding of resourced provisions is allocated on the basis of the Agreed Place Number (APN) and the expected number of pupils in each provision. The proposed reorganisation of resourced provisions will not incur on-going, additional costs.

2.6 Reasons for the proposal to close the resourced provision at Woodcot Primary School were set out in detail in the report to the Executive Member 22 May. The proposal is consistent with the statutory guidance in "Making Changes to a Maintained Mainstream School" and meet its SEN improvement considerations.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. The option of not discontinuing the provision at Woodcot Primary School has been considered, in the light of the objections. The proposal to close the provision was made following extensive consultation, and nothing has altered the view of officers that this remains the appropriate course of action. .

4) Conflicts of Interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

Approved by:

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Date:

5 September 2008

Councillor David Kirk
Executive Lead Member for Children's services (Education)