Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

1) Summary:

The following decisions were made:

1.1. Public Notices be published in accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to discontinue Oak Farm Community School with effect from 31 August 2011 and setting out the intention that there will be no admissions to year 7 in 2010 and beyond.

1.2. The Director of Children's Services further explores options for the future use of Oak Farm Community School's site and buildings with effect from 1 September 2011, in the context of Building Schools for the Future, the delivery of 14 - 19 Diplomas within the Rushmoor and Hart 14 - 19 Consortium, and continued community provision.

1.3. That Cabinet confirms its commitment to continuing use of the site for educational and community purposes and also its commitment to working with educational, voluntary and community organisations to this end, and further requests the Director of Children's Services to present a report to this effect by not later than July 2009.

2) Reasons for the decision:

These are the reasons for this decision being made, including any links to the corporate strategy:

2.1. to ensure that pupils are able to access their entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum in a robust secondary school and enhance pupils' opportunities to maximise well-being

2.2. to identify options for the future use of the school site and buildings for education and community provision thereby offering scope to maximise well-being within the community

2.3. to address the educational and financial non-viability of Oak Farm Community School as a secondary school for 11-16 year olds

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Option 1: The school to remain open

a) Pupils' access to a broad and balanced curriculum would be compromised

b) The school would not be viable in educational and financial terms

c) Surplus places in the area would be at an unacceptably high level in the context of Building Schools for the Future

3.2. Option 2: To halt the consultation on the proposal for closure and open consultation on a proposal for the school to be changed from a 11-16 secondary school to a school for 11-14 year olds and a "vocational and skills centre" for 14-19 year olds

a) Pupil numbers and the history of parental preference for schools in the area indicate there will be insufficient numbers to sustain a school for 11-14 year olds

b) The recommendations within the report present the opportunity to consider the future use of the school site and buildings for 14-19 provision within the context of an overall strategy for the area with the appropriate support and endorsement of the local 14-19 strategic board

4) Conflicts of Interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision-Maker:

a) None

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

a) None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with urgently:

None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker: