Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. The purpose of this report is to seek authority to consult on the proposal to amalgamate Barncroft Infant and Junior schools to form a 420 place (two forms of entry) 4-11 Community primary school.

1.2. The governing bodies of the Barncroft schools have submitted a joint request to the local authority to consult parents on an amalgamation. Both governing bodies are determined to achieve the highest possible standards for the pupils by the time they leave the primary education phase and are also concerned about the low numbers on roll. Over the past few months there has been a series of discussions between both governing bodies, the headteacher of the infant school, the acting headteacher of the junior school and local authority officers to discuss the potential benefits amalgamation might bring.

1.3. The governing bodies of both schools believe that there will be many additional benefits for the children should an all though primary school be created. This view is supported by local authority officers. The proposed new primary school under a single leadership would generate greater opportunities to align the curriculum, develop tracking processes, teaching methods and continuity of experience across the early years foundation stage, and key stages 1 and 2. It is expected that this should lead to an acceleration of pupil progress throughout each key stage resulting in better pupil attainment at the end of year 6. There will be a continuation of early years' provision on the Barncroft site.

1.4. The low numbers on roll present the governors of both schools with challenges in terms of staffing, budget planning and the maintenance of under-utilised premises

1.5. This proposal is part of a wider strategy of capital investment for the Leigh Park area and is linked to government funding streams through the Primary Capital Programme, and Building Schools for the Future targeted at secondary schools.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. 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,

through the possible 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.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves consultations during the Summer term 2009 with parents, staff, governors and other interested parties on the possible closure of Barncroft Infant and Barncroft Junior schools, Leigh Park, Havant, and the creation of a 420 place (two forms of entry) 4-11 primary school with the continuation of early years provision on the Barncroft site.

3.2. A report on the outcomes of the consultations be presented in October 2009.

MAIN REPORT

1) Contextual Information:

1.1. The purpose of this report is to seek authority to consult on the proposal to amalgamate Barncroft Infant and Junior schools to form a 420 place (two forms of entry) 4-11 primary school. The schools share one site.

1.2. Leigh Park is predominantly a densely populated urban area of high relative deprivation. There are 13 primary schools in close proximity a situation which readily enables parents to exercise their preference for a school place. Consequently there is significant movement of pupils within the area, with a high proportion attending schools outside their notional catchment areas.

1.3. In October 2008 there were 429 primary schools in Hampshire, which were ranked from 1 (most deprived) to 429 (least deprived) on the indices of multiple deprivation (IMD). Barncroft Infant school was ranked 7^th on this scale, and Barncroft Junior 9^th.

1.4. Both governing bodies are determined to achieve the highest possible standards for the pupils by the time they leave the primary education phase and are also concerned about the low numbers on roll. The governing bodies have submitted a joint request to the local authority to consult parents on a proposal to amalgamate their schools to form a primary school. The governors wish to consult parents, staff and the wider schools' community on the view that a primary school will present a better opportunity to build on and improve the quality of children's education and their standards of attainment.

1.5. Over the past few months there has been a series of discussions between both governing bodies, the headteacher of the infant school, the acting headteacher of the junior school and local authority officers to discuss the potential benefits amalgamation might bring.

1.6. Both schools have surplus places which are forecast to remain broadly at their current levels. Table 1 shows school capacities, present and projected numbers on roll and surpluses for the Barncroft schools.

Table 1

2) Key Issues:

2.1. The proposed consultation presents an opportunity to engage with the various stakeholders to seek their views on whether a 420 place, 4-11 primary school will best serve the needs of the children and local community.

2.2. The governing bodies wish to create a robust primary school with high quality teaching and learning facilities and continued early years' provision on site. Governors are keen to build on established partnership working with their linked secondary school, Park Community School, and for consideration to be given as to how existing provision for children, families and the wider community might be enhanced.

2.3. A new primary school would generate greater opportunities to align the curriculum, develop tracking processes, teaching methods and continuity of experience across all three key stages. It is expected that this would lead to an acceleration of pupil progress throughout each key stage resulting in better pupil attainment at the end of year 6.

2.4. Within the Barncroft schools there is a range of learning needs from very able to a high proportion of pupils with special educational needs. Greater continuity of provision for such children could be secured in an all through primary school

2.5. Both schools are working hard to provide a high quality education and to improve the standards the pupils achieve. Ofsted concluded in June 2007 that the infant school `provides a good education for its pupils, and has some outstanding elements'. `Very good leadership by the headteacher results in a school where pupils feel safe, secure and flourish both academically and pastorally.'

2.6. Ofsted inspected the junior school in May 2008 and found that the `children enjoy school' and that the `pastoral and physical care is good'. However, by the time the children reach 11, insufficient of them reach the national expectation, level 4, in English and Mathematics with only 36% of pupils attaining level 4 in both subjects. The expectation of the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) is that a minimum of 55% of pupils should attain these outcomes. Ofsted concluded that the school `requires significant improvement, because it is performing significantly less well than in all circumstances it could reasonably be expected to perform'.

2.7. The recent monitoring visit by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) concluded that the school had made satisfactory progress since its Ofsted inspection, and that the local authority's support was strong. It is the view of the governing body and the local authority that the improvement necessary to enable the children to attain higher standards so that they can become more effective learners at secondary school will be considerably bolstered by the creation of a primary school.

2.8. Pupil numbers in the Havant area have been closely monitored since the early 1990s and actions have been taken to address the surplus places. Nontheless, there are a significant number of surplus places at the Barncroft schools (table 1 refers) presenting a clear rationale for focusing on the Barncroft schools in relation to the removal of surplus places.

2.9. The proposal, if implemented, would reduce overall surplus places in Leigh Park primary schools. The County Council's School Places Plan indicates, in line with Audit Commission guidance, that ideally surplus places in an area should not exceed 10% in recognition that some surplus should remain in order that there is sufficient flexibility to accommodate any changes in demography and parental preference. The forecast percentage of surplus places for the area, at (9% were an amalgamation to take place) is in line with this.

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 where there is a surplus.

3.2. As stated in section 2.9, the percentage of schools with 25% or more surplus places is an element of the County Council's Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). The number of Hampshire schools in this category has risen in recent years, as a result of demographic changes. It has, however, remained in line with the national average.

3.3. The underlying trend of falling rolls continues to exert pressure in spite of counter measures to reduce surpluses through area reviews and re-designation of teaching spaces. The number of schools in Hampshire with more than 25% surplus places is forecast to rise from the current 75 to 91 by 2013 if further measures are not taken. Barncroft Junior is forecast to have nearly half (46%) of its places surplus and Barncroft Infant 13% by 2014.

Pupil numbers and schools' capacities

3.4. Table 2 shows schools' capacities, both present and projected, numbers on roll and surpluses for all the Leigh Park area primary schools. These forecasts are based on data collected by postcode from the immunisation and vaccination register. Refinements are made to anticipate population movement in and out of these areas. This includes any housing developments of more than 10 dwellings, where planning approval is granted. These numbers are then allocated to catchment areas for infant and primary schools.

Table 2

3.5. The combined forecast number on roll at Barncroft Infant and Junior schools of 336 in 2014 falls significantly below the current 512 place capacity and is below that of a 420 place, 2 forms of entry primary school. As stated above, the forecast numbers are predicated upon the continued pattern of enrolment, which reflects the geography of this urban area with schools in close proximity.

3.6. The governing bodies of both schools recognise that the low rolls are impacting on the schools' budgets and consequently staffing levels, presenting challenges in maintaining high quality curriculum delivery. The County Council's funding supports schools where numbers are falling rapidly through the real term protection element of the formula. This funding is then not available to other schools. Financial resources are also deployed less efficiently through the loss of economies of scale and to cover the running costs of under-occupied school buildings.

3.7. Consideration has been given to the creation of a 1.5 forms of entry, 315 place, primary school at Barncroft. However, numbers in the Leigh Park area are forecast to rise, putting pressure on places in the schools that are currently more popular. The proposed amalgamation and capital investment are likely to make the school more attractive to parents and their children.

4) Primary Capital Programme and Building Schools for the Future

4.1. There is a government national strategy for capital investment in primary and secondary schools. Priorities for investment are linked to current levels of educational attainment and deprivation.

4.2. The County Council consulted with all primary schools and other stakeholders on the Primary Capital Strategy for Change document in Spring 2008. Work was undertaken to establish those schools that are in the areas of the county with the highest deprivation factors based on the Tax Credit data supplied by HM Revenue and Customs. This information was then overlaid with the standards achieved in those schools to identify those geographical areas of greatest need. Schools in the Havant and Gosport districts have the highest priority according to these criteria.

4.3. A report on the Primary Capital Programme will be brought to the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) in May 2009 and will outline the proposed strategy and allocation of funding. The review of school organisation at the Barncroft schools will form a part of this report. If an amalgamation of the schools goes ahead it is anticipated that the building work necessary to create a new primary school would be funded from the 2010-11 Primary Capital Programme.

4.4. Building Schools for the Future funding for Hampshire is expected to be in the region of £1 billion. This ambitious programme aims to replace or remodel every secondary school by 2020 and to transform the future educational opportunities available for pupils. If the authority's Building Schools for the Future bid is accepted into the initial phase, new school build in the Havant area could begin in 2011. The proposed rebuilding of the already popular and successful Park Community school is likely to enhance its attraction. This will give benefits in terms of further developing the existing strong partnership working with the Barncroft schools and the opportunities available to its pupils.

4.5. The County Council intends to integrate Primary Capital and Building Schools for the Future funding where possible. The proposed amalgamation of the Barncroft schools needs to be addressed as a priority owing to the pressing educational need, and so that children of this community can benefit from these developments as soon as possible.

5) Extended schools

5.1. As part of any future provision on the Barncroft site attention will be given to the continuation of existing community facilities.

5.2. The core offer of extended services should be available through all primary schools by 2010 after consultation with children, parents and local community partners. This includes access to childcare at or through the school from 8am to 6pm all year round, parenting support including information sessions, parenting programmes and family learning, study support and activities for children, and `swift and easy referral' to support services for families and children. The amalgamation proposal presents opportunities to identify local priorities as part of the consultations and to ensure that extended services are at the heart of planning for school improvement.

6) Financial Implications

6.1. If consultations are authorised the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (PBRS) will be asked to undertake a detailed feasibility study to create a 420 place (2 forms of entry) primary school with early years' and extended school provision on the Barncroft site. A detailed financial appraisal will form part of the report on the outcomes of any consultations.

7) Consultation

7.1. If consultations are agreed, formal meetings will be arranged with governors, staff and parents of both schools. Governors, staff and parents of all other schools potentially affected will also be invited to contribute their views. In addition, local councillors, the Teachers' Liaison Panel (TLP), support staff trade unions, Havant Borough Council, local strategic partnerships, the Primary Care Trust, the Church of England Diocese of Portsmouth, the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, the local Hampshire Action Team (HAT) and local Member of Parliament will be consulted, along with other interested parties and the wider schools' community.

8) Conclusions:

8.1. The governors' request to consult their schools' communities about a possible amalgamation to form a primary school is a way forward which offers the potential to raise educational standards, improve the learning environment, enhance community facilities and reduce the number of surplus places in the area.

9) Recommendations:

Please see section3 of the Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

a) New build will fully comply with the requirements of the Access Initiative

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

a) Improvements in the standards attained by the age of 11 increases the percentage of children that can effectively access the secondary curriculum. This in turn significantly improves their life chances with the associated statistical reduction in crime and disorder

3. Climate Change:

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

· New build conforms to a high standard of sustainability

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

· New build conforms to a high standard of adaptability