Issue - meetings

This report provides a briefing on the evolving role of the Local Authority in the education system.

The Deputy Director for Children & Young People, Strategy and Commissioning introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that  10 out of 13 secondary schools were now academies and that the majority converted as good or outstanding schools in their own right, or as part of an existing federation; 2 are sponsored by wider academy groups. He added that some of the secondary schools have been established as ‘Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) meaning that they are approved to sponsor further schools to join them as academies under a combined Academy Trust.

He said that all three of our special schools were now academies, with the Fosse Way MAT also expanding with an existing Somerset primary and new Free Special School being established in Somerset. He added that four local Primary schools are now academies– 3 on their own (Chew Stoke Primary, St. John’s Midsomer Norton and Trinity in Radstock) and High Littleton in a MAT.

He explained that Free Schools are new schools set up by groups of parents or other organisations (including existing schools and academies) who perceive a need for an additional school to fill a gap in capacity or in the range of education on offer in a particular locality. There is a national approval process through which they must evidence the need/demand for the new school and demonstrate how they would operate it. He added that Free Schools are established as academies and can take several forms, including Studio Schools (one has just opened locally and 2 more have been approved), more traditional Primary or Secondary schools, Special Schools, or alternative provision. In addition to the Special and Studio Schools mentioned above, there is a proposal from the Bath Education Trust to establish a new Primary Free School in Bath and this is currently being examined by DfE. He stated that the Authority has a formal policy on Free Schools and Academies, which takes a neutral stance on schools converting to academies; and a cautious stance on the creation of Free Schools, unless there is good evidence of demand and suitability.

He said that one of the key statutory duties the Authority retains is to ensure a sufficient supply of school places to meet local demand. In the new context, with academies able to choose independently whether to expand or contract and the opportunity for Free Schools to open regardless of LA place planning strategy, this is potentially an area of increasing challenge for us. Our Schools Organisation Plan sets out our current projections of need for pupil places in both primary and secondary sectors and in each locality within the authority, with specific proposals for expansion of relevant schools as required to meet demand over the next few years. He added that as academies choose to expand or contract and as Free Schools open, we will have to adjust our plans accordingly and that partnership between all the organisations involved is obviously one of the keys to our being able to undertake this duty  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45