Archived decisions

Community use of Oak Farm Community school buildings and site

Oak Farm Community School was one of the first schools within the Local Authority to be designated a `community school' following its opening in 1973. Facilities were enhanced by the then Aldershot & Farnborough Urban District Council in order that it was able to serve the needs of the newly developed Prospect Estate; houses built by the Greater London Council to absorb overspill from London. It has continued to serve the needs of this estate and the wider Farnborough community since that time and has often been at the forefront of community education provision. Oak Farm was one of the first schools to engage with the extended schools agenda starting back in 2005. They were one of 20 community schools that were invited to participate in the 'Building on Success' programme in 2005 aimed at helping their community provision in terms of the extended schools agenda. It is currently one of the schools recognised by DCFS as offering the full core offer.

Oak Farm Community School (OFCS) offers a large and varied programme that includes vocational, personal and community development learning (PCDL), full cost recovery courses, family learning plus a small number of 'First Steps' courses. There are also two programmes specifically for young adults with disabilities - one offered under Skills for Independent Living and the other within PCDL. The school works in a partnership that includes Farnborough College of Technology and six local schools as well as a local cluster of providers who offer Family Learning. The school site is heavily used all year round with over 92,000 people using the campus each year. The Adult and Community Learning team at the school work in the following areas:

· The vocational programme - in partnership with Farnborough College of Technology (funded by the LSC)

· The PCDL programme - supported by Adult and Family Learning (AFL) - Hampshire County Council (funded by the LSC)

· First Steps programme - supported by Hampshire Learning - Hampshire County Council - funded by the LSC

· Family Learning - supported by Hampshire Learning -Hampshire County Council - funded by the LSC

· Skills for Independent Living - offered mainly to Oak Farm Leisure and Activities Club (OFLAC) - group for adults with physical and learning difficulties -members supported by Hampshire Learning - Hampshire County Council, funded by the LSC

· PCDL programme for OFLAC - a group for adults with physical and learning difficulties - supported by Hampshire Learning with LSC funding

· A small programme of courses for juniors

· Community 'full cost recovery' programme for adults

The adult and community learning team consists of one full time person, an assistant (11.5 hours per week) plus an evening receptionist (8 hours per week). Other school staff, including the Assistant Headteacher - Community and Extended Services, Business Manager, Community Administrative Officer and Community Finance Officer support the team. The team work closely with the Parent Partner who delivers the parenting courses and promotes, in general, the Family Learning and First Steps programmes as well as a wider programme of courses.

Adult and community education aims to improve outcomes for young people, their families and the community in the Mayfield area and wider community. As part of this commitment to 'Lifelong learning' learners receive information and advice prior to enrolling onto a course to assist them in making a considered choice of study by understanding exactly what the course entails and their ability to commit to the learning process whatever the timescale. Across the provision, 92.3% of learners reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of teaching and learning in end of course learner evaluations. The retention rate is above the county average.

Funding was received from Rushmoor Borough Council in April 2008 to enable the school to refurbish the Adult Ed/Community IT suite.  The specialist room used exclusively by adult learners including OFLAC and U3A plus courses in partnership with Farnborough College including Bookkeeping and Accounting (computerised) level 1 2 and 3 plus European Computer driving Licence (ECDL).  Other courses planned next year include Certificate in Computerised Payroll.

Personal & Community Development Learning (PCDL)

A 'Core' programme of activities is currently offered within the areas of learning funded by Hampshire Learning through Hampshire County Council. A more 'leisure' based programme of courses now run on a 'full cost recovery' basis.

First Steps Learning

This programme is aimed at learners who do not hold a full level 2 qualification (5 GCSE's grade A-C). It provides an initial entry point into learning and actively encourages and supports progress and is targeted at local people. The courses are free and are offered with a crèche where necessary.

Family Learning

This is another programme area that can be difficult to recruit learners for. Centre staff work with the same local agencies and individuals as for the First Step programme in promoting the courses available each term. Local providers together with multi agency groups meet regularly at least once a term at the Owl's Children Centre. There is now more awareness of the overall Family Learning programme on offer in the local area allowing families to be signposted to courses that may better meet their needs.

A celebration evening is held in July of each year where family learners and their friends and family can share the enthusiasm and success of the learners. This embodies the goal of `Lifelong Learning'

Family Learning (FL) and Family Language Literacy and Numeracy (FLLN) looks at targeting pre level 2 parents and getting them through National Tests. Many centres across Hampshire including Oak Farm do not have tutors that can delivery literacy and numeracy courses.  The school are looking to use Hampshire tutors working to deliver by effectively sub contracting out with OFCS applying for courses to be run through the county (Direct Deliver).  The focus is on learners' pathway and progression through FL to FLLN.

The school plan to run Keeping up with the Children (Parents only) and build some work into the programme to do at home with their children and plan to look at innovative ways to attract parents/families by using FL activities to target learners

Parenting

Oak Farm Community School delivers a successful programme of parenting courses. The Parent Partner has delivered all the courses with tutor support, where appropriate, from other trained facilitators. Programmes have included SPOT (Supporting Parents of Teenagers) -translated specifically for Nepali families in the local community, Triple P and other courses designed to meet school and local needs.

The Parent Partner continues to encourage parents to enrol and has developed links with other outside agencies that signpost parents to the parenting programmes. The Parent Partner has worked with a wide range of parents within the local community as envisaged by the extended schools initiative.

OFLAC - (Oak Farm Leisure and Activities Club)

This project is funded via HCC and allows OFCS to offer a programme in partnership with OFLAC, a registered charity that offers a day care service for young adults with physical and learning difficulties. The group meets two full days per week. The main aim is to allow members to try something new, to build confidence in their own abilities, to improve communication and listening skills, to encourage group/team work, to increase self esteem, to improve social skills and to provide opportunities to develop skills needed for living away from home. Courses are funded under Personal and Community Development (PCDL) and Skills for Independent Living (SIL).

Junior Programme

The course fees paid by students are the only income for this provision. Each course must support itself. Courses offered are gymnastics, fencing and trampoline. Most courses run at maximum numbers with some having waiting lists.

Mayfield Youth Partnership

The Mayfield Youth Partnership was formed in December 2005. The intention of the multi agency group is to work with local young people towards securing long term funding to engage with young people in positive activities and to tailor the services to what the young people need. Currently the group led by Oak Farm has made several successful bids and is in the process of applying for monies to employ a full time youth worker with a brief to set up a working youth facility in the local community.

Links with Rushmoor Healthy Living Initiative

There continues to be good links with the Rushmoor Healthy Living Team, as Mayfield is one of the wards being targeted. Activities arranged within the local area include Tai Chi held at the Prospect centre on Wednesday mornings and Teen Fit held at Oak Farm Community School

Mayfield Community Partnership

Local organisations are now taking more of a 'back seat' with residents taking the lead. The organisation now has a constitution with a full committee of local residents. Rushmoor Council of Voluntary Services have supported this move. Various events are held including an Easter Egg Hunt, a Healthy Eating Lunch, a Basketball Knockout and Fun Day and a Family Carol Service.

Health Project

Oak Farm has led a piloted school-based holistic health drop-in at Oak Farm School in partnership between Oak Farm School, the local Primary Care Trust, the School Health Service, Extended Services, Hampshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and Rushmoor Youth Team. Whilst the provision is on Oak Farm School site, it aims to support young people from the community which includes both Cove and Fernhill School.

Rushmoor district is the 2nd highest district in Hampshire in relation to the under 18 conception rate, after Gosport and Havant. The rolling 2004-06 provisional data shows a conception rate of 43.1 (per 1000 young women aged 15-17) compared with Hampshire at 31.1 and a national rate of 41.1.

In relation to wards, Hampshire has 51 wards above the national conception rate. Rushmoor has 7 wards within the top 51, with a further 4 outside of this with relatively high conceptions numbers.

The `drop in' provision will provide access to information, advice and support in relation to all aspects of emotional health and well-being. It will provide specialist input in relation to drugs and alcohol via staff from the Youth Team's drug and alcohol project and sexual health via a specialist contraception and sexual health nurse.

The aims are to:

· To provide a holistic, youth-centred service as a local model of best practice.

· Develop a partnership-focussed solution.

· To provide accurate information for young people regarding drug and alcohol use.

· To prevent unintended pregnancies involving pupils form Fernhill, Grange and Mayfield wards.

· To promote proactive responsibility for contraception amongst sexually active pupils and educate them about the dual benefits of condom use in relation to the teenage pregnancy strategy agenda of risk minimisation.

· To provide emergency contraception and foundation sexual health services linked to school site.

· To provide timely access to pregnancy testing, ensuring early access to abortion or maternity services as appropriate.

Lettings

The lettings programme forms an important and substantial part of Oak Farm Community School's activities. Approximately 80 clubs and groups regularly use the campus and the Community Staff work in close partnership with many of these groups, supporting and encouraging them where appropriate. These regular users are the mainstay of community bookings with 'one off parties, shows and events helping to boost income. As a consequence of the rapidly expanding Nepalese Community in Farnborough and Aldershot, bookings to celebrate festivals, family celebrations and numerous meetings have increased.

The Saturday Morning School teaching Nepalese ladies English continues to increase in popularity. Three extra classes have been added, making five in all with a sixth class now being held on Sunday mornings. The classes teaching the children to read and write in Nepalese and keep in touch with their culture, learning traditional singing and dancing, are also still very popular. A Nepalese run Tae Kwon Do class on Sunday mornings is also very successful.

Sports hall and artificial sports pitch

The Artificial Turf Pitch and Sports Hall is fully booked every evening from Monday to Friday throughout the winter period. Apart from courses for football coaches which are held on several Saturdays during the year, neither facility is used very much at the weekend. Team matches are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays and are only allowed to be played on grass pitches.

YISP - Youth inclusion and support panels

The Hampshire YISP used to have a base at the school but continue to run services for the community. YISP works with young people aged 5-13 providing support with getting back into education, help for families in understanding their child's behaviour and encouragement for young people to make better use of their free time. They offer a range of activities including after school clubs, one-to-one mentoring, drama and sports activities, health advice, family counselling and personal development programmes.

University of the third age (U3A)

The Farnborough branch of the U3A has over 40 educational groups meeting at Oak Farm Community School and number over 1,200 regular participants. Some of the most popular classes, such as Yoga and Tai Chi, have had to be split into two groups as the numbers are so high. Other subjects covered include Architecture, Mah-jong, Patchwork, several languages and the very popular Cookery for Men. The group uses the Bar area and Computer Room for History, the Community Room for Yoga, the Community Hall for Play Reading and Tai Chi and the Home Tech Room for Cookery. However, the most extensively used room is the Focus Room which is situated on the first floor. Several members are finding it increasingly difficult to manage the stairs and, although the venue is not quite as satisfactory, several classes have moved to the Bar area which is on the ground floor.

Oak Farm Leisure and activities club (OFLAC)

OFLAC is a day service for young adults aged between 18 and 35 with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. It was established at the school in 1986 and has flourished since then. OFLAC is a registered charity, affiliated to Scope and funded, in the main, by Hampshire and Surrey Adult Services, topped up by numerous fund raising schemes. The club provides social, recreational and educational activities in a friendly and caring environment and has three members of staff supported by a loyal team of volunteers.

OFLAC meet all day Mondays & Fridays and alternate Wednesday evenings. Members access courses in computers, dance, keep fit, drama and arts & crafts together with courses offered in budgeting & money skills, independent living in the local community, listening skills, healthy cooking and assertiveness.

Oak Farm pre-school

The pre-school utilise accommodation within the school but only on a shared basis rather than having sole and exclusive use. . They are registered for 26 children aged between 2 and 5, and are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.15 to 12.15, and 9.15 - 1.15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are in receipt of the Nursery Education Grant, and support children with special educational needs, disabilities and those with English as a second language. They had a combined inspection from OFSTED in March with a satisfactory outcome.

Prospect Centre

The Prospect Community Centre is owned by Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC) and managed by Oak Farm Community School. The school has a signed agreement with RBC for the running of this building. Currently the centre is used by:

· Rushmoor Healthy Living plus Energy Advice/Fuel Poverty Clinic- Tai Chi, Yoga and Quit Smoking courses.

· Twilight Club (after school club)

· Preschool Learning Alliance - for training course.

· Adult Education Courses on two mornings.

· Various evening meetings - local Housing Associations, Mayfield Community Partnership.

· Drop in Surgeries for Police.

· Quit for Life - stop smoking support.

The Twilight Club provides activities for pupils aged 5-12 with between 25 and 30 youngsters attending the club from Monday to Thursday each week in term time. Many of the children are collected from Cherrywood Primary School by Twilight staff at the end of the school day and taken to the Prospect Centre where they are collected by parents at 5.00 pm. The activities available include drawing, model making and Lego as well as craftwork such as cookery, glass painting, sewing and woodcraft. Currently costs are met from a grant from Rushmoor Borough Council.

Senior citizens clubs

The Oak Farm Senior Citizens' Club meets on Friday afternoons in the Community Hall. It has been running for nearly 30 years and is as popular as ever. Approximately 50-60 senior citizens meet for a social afternoon and to play bingo. Community staff organise monthly outings for the group from March to October along with a Christmas lunch in December.

The Sequence Club is a thriving group of about 50 members who meet for a tea dance in the Community Hall every Tuesday afternoon throughout the year.

Shuffles Dance group

In company with many other groups and courses offering leisure activities, Shuffles Dance Studio has found that their customers prefer to attend classes in the evenings rather than weekends. Shuffles have, therefore, extended their time used in the Community Room and Community Hall in the evenings but cancelled Saturday bookings.

TJ'S Bar

This facility is situated in the Pavilion and is rented out to a local community group. though there are ongoing issues with the licence and agreed opening hours. Potentially the greater use of the bar will attract more customers to the facility and encourage clubs in the evening to use the artificial turf pitch.

Open University

Oak Farm Community School is a study centre for Open University with the Maths Block being used between Monday and Thursday each week throughout the year. There are also some Saturday courses.

List of people/organisations consulted and schedule of meetings

Schedule of meetings

Consultation on the proposal to close Oak Farm Community School, Farnborough with effect from August 2010

Introduction

Due to falling pupil numbers at Oak Farm Community School, Hampshire County Council is undertaking a consultation exercise on a proposal to close the school. This document explains the reasons why this is being considered to help parents and other interested parties in responding to the consultation process. The County Council would like to receive your views on the proposal. The outcomes of the consultation will be reported to County Councillors in December 2008; they will decide whether or not to take the proposal to the next stage.

Why is the County Council considering closing the school?

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 most areas of the county the secondary school population is declining, a reflection of the earlier general decline in the primary school population.

Pupil numbers at Oak Farm Community School have been in decline for a number of years (a reflection of a combination of falling pupil numbers in the area and parental preference) resulting in an excessive number of surplus places at the school and calling into question the school's viability. The current and forecast pupil numbers are shown in the table below:

What are the problems with surplus places/declining pupil numbers?

The school's funding is directly related to the number of children at the school. A decline in pupil numbers, and a subsequent reduction in funding, presents difficulties for a school in appointing staff and delivering the full range of curriculum opportunities to pupils. Present and forecast pupil numbers at Oak Farm Community School give reason to call into question the educational and financial viability of the school. Where there are a significant number of spare places, funding is being used on unnecessary premises costs i.e. heating, lighting, maintenance and security. This puts a drain on the resources available to support children's learning.

What would happen to the pupils currently at the school?

The key principle is that any changes will be managed in such a way as to minimise disruption to pupils' education. The intention is that pupils will transfer to the roll of another local school(s). Every effort will be made to ensure that pupils will continue to follow the curriculum they are currently studying and support will be provided to pupils affected by any proposed changes to minimise disruption to their learning.

Where would pupils who are expecting to be attending the school from 2010 go if the school closes?

If it is agreed that the school will close in August 2010, parents of pupils due to be admitted to the school in September that year will be able to express a preference for their child or children to attend other local schools. Due to the continued decline in pupil numbers in the area it is expected that the existing schools locally will be able to admit all pupils of parents who may have wished their child to attend Oak Farm.

How can you be sure that the number of pupils expected in the future is accurate?

Forecast figures shown in the table take into account all planned new housing in the area and are based upon the County Council's tried and tested forecasting model. The decline in pupil numbers at the school reflects the reduction in primary aged pupils in the local area which has resulted in some local primary schools being reorganised and capacities reduced.

What would happen to the community facilities the school provides?

The school offers an extensive, varied and much valued programme of learning opportunities for its community and beyond in partnership with other educational establishments, agencies and authorities, including the County Council.

The importance of this provision to the community is recognised and the consultation exercise will need to consider carefully the impact the school closure might have on community and extended services and how, in the event of any decision to close the school, such provision might continue to operate for the benefit of the local and wider community.

Consideration will also be given to any opportunity for the buildings to be used in a flexible way to complement provision in the area through the Rushmoor and Hart Consortium for the delivery of vocational education as part of the 14-19 education initiative.

How will my child get to another school?

It is anticipated that places for pupils will be available at schools within a reasonable walking distance.

What would happen to staff?

Consultations will take place with all staff who may be affected by the proposals and with the professional associations and trade unions. As a responsible and caring employer, the County Council will manage this aspect of the proposed closure sensitively. The retention of high quality staff is a crucial element in the County Council's drive for improving education standards and raising pupil achievement.

What is the timescale?

The consultation period will run until the end of September 2008. It is then intended to report back to County Councillors in December 2008 on the outcome of the consultation and make recommendations on action to be taken. If it is decided that the school will close this will happen at the end of the summer term 2010.

Will I have the opportunity to discuss the proposal and ask questions?

Yes, you will. There will be opportunities for parents, pupils and other interested members of the community to meet with Hampshire County Council officers during the summer term where more information will be provided and you can ask questions and comment on the proposal. There will also be drop-in sessions held at Oak Farm School where you will be able to meet officers from the County Council to discuss the proposal. Comments made and issues raised will be reported back to County Councillors and will be fully considered before any decision is made.

A meeting for parents and other interested parties will be held at:

Oak Farm Community School in the school hall on

Tuesday 17 June 2008 commencing at 7.00 pm

Two drop in sessions will be held at Oak Farm school on:

Monday 23 June 2008 and Wednesday 2 July 2008

Both of these sessions will run from 5.30 - 8.00 at the school

There is also a website where you will be able to make comments:

http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/oakfarmreview/index.php

How can my views be heard?

At any of the meetings set out above and/or via the attached questionnaire which can also be found on the web at

http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/oakfarmreview/index.php

What happens next?

The responses to the consultation will be carefully considered by Hampshire County Council. If the proposal to close the school goes ahead, the Council will move onto a second formal stage of consultation involving the publication of statutory legal notices proposing the closure of the school which would provide another opportunity for you to make comments on the proposal.

Consultation on the proposal to close Oak Farm Community School with effect from August 2010

Many thanks for taking the time to write to us about the proposal to close Oak Farm Community School. Your views will be carefully considered before any decision is made. The closing date for comments is 30 September 2008.

Your Postcode

Are you a:

□ parent of pupil at Oak Farm School

□ parent of pupil at another school

age(s) of child(ren)

□ governor at Oak Farm School

□ member of staff at Oak Farm School

□ other (please specify)

1. Do you agree or disagree that Oak Farm Community School should close in August 2010?

□ Agree □ Disagree

2. If the school closes, do you agree or disagree that community classes and extended services should continue to operate from the Chaucer Road site?

□ Agree □ Disagree

Please let us have any further comments:

Please continue overleaf as necessary and return the completed form to :

Glenn Parkinson

School Organisation Officer

Children's Services Department

The Castle

Winchester SO23 8UG

By 30 September 2008 at the latest