Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record

1. The decision:

1.1. That public notices be published in accordance with Sections 10 and 15 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to:

(a) discontinue Barncroft Infant School and Barncroft Junior School with effect from 31 March 2011, and

(b) establish a two form entry community primary school outside of a competition to cater for 420 pupils aged 4 - 11 plus pre-school provision, in remodelled buildings on the Barncroft Schools' site with effect from 1 April 2011.

1.2. That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services undertake a detailed feasibility study to create a 2 form entry primary school with early years provision on the Barncroft Schools' site.

1.3. That approval be sought from the Executive Member Policy and Resources for the retention of 100% of the capital receipt from the sale of the surplus part of the Barncroft Schools' site for the Children's Services Primary Capital Programme.

2. Reason(s) for the decision:

2.1. The County Council has a statutory responsibility to manage school places efficiently and ensure the best use of resources to improve pupils' achievements.

2.2. The issues raised in this report reflect the County Council's corporate strategy:

- Maximising well-being

- Enhancing our quality of place.

2.3. 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.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. The status quo, that is retaining separate infant and junior schools. This would neither address the issue of surplus school places, nor provide the opportunity to achieve higher pupil attainment at the end of the Year 6 through a primary school under single leadership, generating greater opportunities to align the primary curriculum, teaching methods and continuity of experience across the key stages.

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:

n/a

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee: none.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent: not applicable.

7. Statement from the Decision Maker: