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Appendix 1

A REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NORTH & CENTRAL BATH AREA

1. WHY ARE WE REVIEWING THIS AREA?

7.1 All primary schools in Bath & North East Somerset are to be reviewed over the next four years. Each school will be reviewed alongside its partner schools in a geographical area. At the end of each Area Review elected Councillors may decide that some changes (school closures, new schools, enlarging schools etc.) appear to be necessary and initiate a further consultation process focussing on the school(s) affected. It is equally possible that Councillors may simply acknowledge that the pattern of school provision is working effectively and that no changes are required in the short or medium-term.

7.2 The process to be followed when undertaking an Area Review has been the subject of wide and lengthy consultation. It was finally approved by the School Organisation Committee (a body independent of the Council) on 22 July 2003.

7.3 A document entitled "The School Review Process" can be found on the Council website at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/Committee_Papers/OandSEYCL/EYCL021202/10SchoolReviewProcess.htm Paper copies are available on request.

7.4 The School Organisation Committee also approved the areas for review during the school year 2003/04. These are the areas showing the highest numbers of unfilled (sometimes referred to as surplus) places. The North & Central Bath area is amongst these areas.

7.5 The schools named below are considered in this Review.

Bathwick St Mary's CE Primary School, Darlington Road

St Andrew's CE Primary School, Northampton Street

St John's Catholic Primary School, Pulteney Road (and also at Oldfield Lane)

St Saviour's CE Junior School, Brookleaze Place

St Swithin's CE Infant School, Dover Place

Swainswick CE Primary School, Innox Lane

Widcombe Infant School, Archway Street

7 INTRODUCTION

7.1 On 28 January 2004, a draft version of this document was circulated to the Headteacher of each school covered by the Review.

7.2 On 13 February 2004 a revised version containing amendments and clarifications of facts was issued to the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of each school covered by the Review, the Headteacher and Chair of Governors of the secondary schools serving Bath, senior officers of the Education Service, the Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Education, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton and Councillors representing the wards in which the schools are located. The document was also circulated to members of the Education, Youth, Culture & Leisure Overview & Scrutiny Panel in order to inform their discussions prior to the public meeting to be held on 9 March 2004.

7 School Organisation Plan

7.1 Each school has been assessed against policies, established through the School Organisation Plan, regarding school size. The School Organisation Plan states that;

7.2 Both junior schools and all, bar one, of the infant schools meet the criteria regarding planned admission number. Two infant schools do not meet the size criteria.

7.3 All bar one of the primary schools meet the planned admission number criteria. All the primary schools meet the size criteria for urban/suburban schools.

7.4 One school is regarded as a `rural' school and therefore should be considered against different criteria. These were set out in the School Organisation Plan agreed on 18 July 2000. The Plan states that "...regard must still be paid to the desirable minimum size of rural primaries i.e. a Standard Number of 15 or more, at least three classes and an average of at least 10 children per Year Group"

7.5 The School Organisation Plan agreed on July 22 2003 stated the following in relation to North & Central Bath "The area has the highest number of surplus places in the Authority. This is boosted by a large number of surplus places at one school. Plans to relocate this school to another area are in hand. (Even) if these places are removed the area still has a substantial level of unfilled capacity. The vast majority of provision is in controlled or aided schools. A review took place between February and October 2002. No formal consultation was undertaken. A review that sets out to reduce surplus places to a tolerable level is urgently required."

7.6 The reference in 3.5 above to the relocation of a school relates to St John's Catholic Primary School. Possible legal barriers to relocation of the school to the preferred site have been identified since the approval of the Plan.

7.7 The School Organisation Plan agreed on 17 July 2001 stated that "the LEA's preferred option for school organisation at Key Stages 1 and 2 is all-through primary schools. This also includes the Foundation Stage in nursery and reception classes." Of the schools covered by this Review there are four infant schools and two junior schools. Two infant schools and one primary school operate an LEA nursery class.

7.8 Readers will note that nine of the eleven schools covered by this Review are Church schools. Five of these are Voluntary Aided. Any changes in the area may result in a change in the proportion of denominational places in Bath & North East Somerset and such changes would require the support of the relevant Diocese. At present, approximately 54% of primary school places in Bath & North East Somerset are in Church schools. In the North & Central Bath area the percentage is 88%.

7.9 All schools have also been assessed under the Authority's Asset Management Plan (AMP). The AMP is concerned with the Condition, Suitability and Sufficiency of schools. The Key Data sheets at the back of the document show the position at these schools in relation to the AMP headings.

4. The Context

7.1 A map showing the location of the schools is attached. An outline map showing where pupils live is also attached. For legal reasons it is necessary to state that the maps have been reproduced from the Ordnance Survey with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright under License Number 100023334.

7.2 The area covered can be defined as land bounded by the A4 to the south, the A46 to the east, Lansdown Hill to the west and the northern border of B&NES.

7.3 Population data from the Primary Care Trust shows the position at April 2003 in the wards in which these schools are located.

8 Levels of Educational Achievement

8.1 There are various measures of educational performance. Simple examination of headline results may not reveal the success (or otherwise) of a school.

8.2 Care must be taken when analysing results of small year groups and making comparisons with schools that are significantly different in size. In small schools one pupil can have a very marked effect on the percentage figures. OFSTED makes the following statement:

6. Levels of Educational and Multiple Deprivation

6.1 All wards in England have been assessed under a range of headings in order to determine, not only the overall levels of deprivation in a given community, but to compile an elemental breakdown of the type of deprivation. The headings are Income, Employment, Health, Education, Housing, Geographical Access to Services and Child Poverty. The results of this survey were published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in August 2000.

6.2 The measure of educational deprivation is compiled by considering the following data:-

7.1 8414 wards were assessed. The lower the score the higher the level of educational deprivation. For comparison purposes readers will wish to know that the wards with the highest and lowest scores in the Bath & North East Somerset area are Peasedown (728) and Combe Down (8015)

7.2 In terms of multiple deprivation, the comparison should be made with Twerton which is ranked at 1111 and Saltford, which at 8135, is the least deprived ward in Bath & North East Somerset and is within the `top' 5% of wards in England.

7.3 Information regarding the extent of child poverty is also included as an illustration of the economic deprivation in the area in which the school is located. For comparison purposes, Twerton scores 286 placing it within the `bottom' 5% of wards in England. The former ward of Chew Valley West scores 8056.

7.4 Given that electoral ward plays no role whatsoever in the choices that parents/carers make the LEA has gathered data showing the numbers and proportion of pupils from each ward actually on roll at each school. This is shown on the Key Data Sheet.

7.5 The School Organisation Plan agreed on 18^th July 2002 identified certain schools as "strategic schools in areas of educational deprivation". None of the schools within this Review are covered by this designation.

7 Timescales and Consultation

7.1 The OSP will hold a public meeting to hear contributions from invited stakeholders. This will take place on March 9 2004.

7.2 The document will be further considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (OSP) at its meeting on March 24 2004.

7.3 A meeting for Bath & North East Somerset Councillors representing the relevant wards will take place on a date to be determined.

7.4 The final paper will be considered by the Council Executive which meets at 10 a.m. on 7 April 2004 at the Guildhall, Bath.

KEY DATA

Numbers on Roll, Forecasts & Surplus Places (Sufficiency 1)

Level of Recruitment against Standard Number

Financial Information

Outstanding Planned Maintenance (Condition)

Site and Building Areas (Sufficiency 2)

Deprivation Data

Educational Standards

Suitability

Notes

PAN means Planned Admission Number. This figure equates to the number of pupils the school must admit if demand exists. PAN has replaced Standard Number for admissions from September 2004.

Net Capacity is the physical capacity of the school and shows the number of places available. It is derived from a DfES formula.

Surplus places means unfilled places. Not all unfilled places are surplus. The calculation of surplus places takes account only of those schools where the number of pupils is fewer than the number of places available. Shortfalls of places in schools are not counted.

The purpose of showing the average number on roll over the five years previous to 2003/04 is to ensure that an unusual variation in admissions in one year does not provide a distorted picture.

Forecast numbers for individual schools are not included. It can be seen that the area has experienced a decline in numbers on roll of approximately 9% since September 1997.

Population Data - North & Central Bath

Source : B&NES Primary Care Trust

Data valid as at April 2003

These wards show no significant increase or decrease in the numbers of children over recent years.

Levels of Recruitment against Standard Number

Notes

Levels of recruitment are shown as percentages as changes to Standard Number were implemented at several schools

over the period September 1997 to September 2002. This was often as a result of the infant class size legislation.

Financial Information

Notes

CPN means Composite Pupil Number. This is the number of pupils for which a school receives funding. It is based on 5/12 of actual number on roll at January each year plus 7/12 from the estimated September number on roll.

Six schools receive funding per head which exceeds the average in this area.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE FIGURES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED IN LIGHT OF ACTUAL NUMBERS ON ROLL AT SEPTEMBER 2003.

Outstanding Planned Maintenance

Notes

The figures showing the total costs of outstanding planned maintenance show only those works which are regarded as Urgent or Essential.

DfES and Property Services define Urgent as `Work that will prevent immediate closure of premises, and/or address an immediate

high risk to the health and safety of occupants and/or remedy a serious breach of legislation'

Essential is defined as `Work required within two years that will prevent serious deterioration of the fabric or services and/or address

a medium risk to the health and safety of occupants and/or remedy a less serious breach of legislation.

Notes

An assessment of these areas forms part of the Sufficiency element of the Asset Management Plan.

Building Bulletin 82 (BB82) `Area Guidelines for Schools' is a DfES guidance document which indicates total site and building areas required. Figures take account of the size of school and the age range covered. BB82 is in the process of being revised.

A site or building which is too small will make management of the school more problematic. A site or building that is oversized will require more resources in order to maintain it. Such resources will come from the school budget and thus leave less to allocate to direct delivery of the curriculum.

Only one school is located on a sufficient site. Five schools occupy buildings which are significantly oversized. Five schools that require team games playing field have no such provision.

Levels of Educational and Social Deprivation

Notes

These figures are taken from the Indices of Multiple Deprivation published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2000.

The extent of educational deprivation in a ward is assessed by considering the following;

The number of working age adults with no qualifications

The number of children aged 16 and over who are not in full-time education

The proportion of 17-19 year olds who have not successfully applied for Higher Education

KS2 primary school performance data

Primary school children with English as an additional language for 1998

Absenteeism (authorised and unauthorised) at primary level for 1998

Educational Standards 2003

All above based on provisional FORVUS Data provided by Bath & North East Somerset Performance Data Unit

Table 1-Location of Schools in North & Central Bath

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright License number 100023334

Table 2 - Pupil Locations September 2003 - Wide Area View

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright License number 100023334

This map shows that children attending these eleven schools are drawn from a very wide area of Bath and a significant number live

outside the City. This is probably to be expected given the significant number of places which are provided in Aided schools.

SUITABILITY ASSESSMENTS

In conjunction with sufficiency and condition assessments, suitability assessments help in the targeting of resources where they can have the greatest effect in raising standards and maximising value for money. The assessments help in identifying the educational impact of any deficiencies in accommodation, may identify a need for additional accommodation or improvements to existing accommodation.

The definitions below will assist readers in assessing the scale of the suitability problems faced by the schools within this Review.

Readers are reminded that the issues identified by the Suitability Assessments represent

the findings of work undertaken during the Autumn Term 2002-03. They reflect the position at each school on the day of the assessment. An update of the assessments will not be undertaken until the Autumn Term 2004-05.

Each school received a copy of their Assessment and Headteachers were invited to comment on the findings. The issues identified below represent the agreed suitability issues facing the school at the time of the Assessment.

We have summarised Suitability data. Difficulties in translating the format of certain Suitability reports into a readable form mean that the actual assessments themselves do not appear in the current document.

The letter to the right of an identified problem indicates the appropriate category.

Category A - Unable to teach curriculum.

This is most likely to be associated with numbers and types of teaching spaces available. There

should be enough appropriate spaces to accommodate all pupils for the whole of the curriculum

Category B - Teaching methods inhibited. Unsuitability of spaces may mean that schools' preferred teaching methods are inhibited. This may be associated with numbers and types of teaching spaces, or with the size and other aspects of spaces

Category C - Management or organisation of school affected adversely.

Unsuitability of spaces and/or the way they relate to each other may affect the organisation or management of the school

Category D - Pupil or staff morale or pupil behaviour affected adversely.

Unsuitability of spaces may affect pupil or staff morale or pupil behaviour.

Bathwick St Mary's CE Primary School

One very undersized classroom (A)

Five undersized classrooms (B)

Undersized Library (B)

Undersized Head's Office (D)

No Medical Inspection Room (C)

No on-site playing field (B)

Lack of pupil / vehicle segregation represents a moderate risk to pupil health and safety

Parkside Infant School

Poorly laid out classrooms (B)

Undersized Head's Office (D)

Inadequate storage (C)

No soft play areas / grassed areas (D)

Location in major public car park represents a moderate risk to pupil health and safety

St Andrew's CE Primary School

Poor light levels in classrooms (D)

No MI room C)

No pupil changing rooms (C)

No playing field (B)

St John's Catholic Primary School

One classroom very undersized (B)

Two classrooms undersized (D)

IT not networked (B)

Annexe hall has no PE apparatus (B)

Library is remote from classrooms (C)

No food technology area (C)

Toilets remote from classrooms (C/D)

Narrow stairs represent a small risk to health and safety

Poor perimeter security (B)

No on-site playing field (B)

St Saviour's CE Infant School

Circulation routes pass through teaching areas in some areas (

Undersized Library (B)

No ICT suite

Undersized staffroom (D)

Insufficient toilet provision in Nursery (C)

Medical inspection room is poorly located (D)

Security problems represent a low risk to health and safety

No pupil / vehicle segregation represents a medium risk to pupil health and safety

St Saviour's CE Junior School

Library remote from main teaching blocks (C)

ICT undersized and remote from main teaching blocks (C)

Site security problems represent a low risk to health and safety

Dual use of SEN area

Poor access for disabled users

St Stephen's CE Primary School

Two undersized classrooms (A)

Nine classrooms of a shape not conducive to teaching and learning (B)

Three classrooms in which the environment was not conducive to teaching and learning (D)

ICT poorly located (A)

No Music area (B)

Environment in Hall not conducive to teaching and learning (B)

Library poorly located and laid out (A)

Practical areas poorly located (C)

Inappropriate dual use of ancillary and circulation areas (C)

The suitability issues identified at this school are in the process of being resolved through a major remodelling exercise funded by DfES and the school Governors.

St Swithin's CE Infant School

No ICT Area (B)

Library in dining area (D)

SEN in dining area (D)

No storage in Hall (C)

Undersized staffroom (D)

School not accessible to wheelchair users (A)

Inadequate heating in temporary classroom (D)

Swainswick CE Primary School

No playing field (B)

Poor temperature control in teaching areas (D)

No staffroom (D)

No car parking (D)

Widcombe Infant School

Two undersized classrooms (B)

Poor environment in toilet areas (D)

No medical inspection room (C)

Widcombe CE Junior School

Four undersized classrooms (B)

Undersized playing field (B)

ICT remote from main teaching areas (C)

No medical inspection room (C)

No pupil changing rooms (C/D)

Low light levels in Library (D)

Low light levels and poor ventilation in staff and administration areas (D)

Inadequate car parking (D)

Noise transfer from adjacent practical areas (D)

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Aims and Objectives

The aims of the Review are to:

Bathwick St Mary's CE Primary School

Whilst the school is located on an undersized site this in itself presents no significant problem. The school is popular and successful and is accommodated in buildings less than 15 years old. The major suitability problem (the lack of an on-site playing field) has been noted as part of the Local Plan and opportunities to resolve this problem may arise on adjoining MOD property. The school meets size criteria for urban schools. Unit costs are below those for other schools in this planning area. No action is required as part of this Area Review.

Parkside Infant

There appears to be no compelling educational, social or financial reasons for maintaining the school. The school does not serve a distinct community. The unit costs per head are high and are not based on any assessment of the needs of the children. The location of the site and buildings are `sub-optimal' given that it is located at the entrance to a major city centre car park. Consideration should be given to consultation on the closure of this school.

St Andrew's CE Primary School

As with Bathwick St Mary Primary School, this school is on a severely undersized site and has no on-site playing field. In other respects it represents a satisfactory environment and the buildings are also relatively new. The school does not meet the size criteria for urban primary schools but this reflects a decision of the Governors to offer only 27 places from September 2004. No action is required as a result of the Area Review.

St John's Catholic Primary School

There are a number of issues surrounding the future of this school. It is currently located on two sites which are almost two miles from each other. OFSTED have criticised the accommodation and DfES have given funding to develop a scheme for relocation and replacement of the school. The preferred site for the replacement school at Lymore Avenue is controversial and, it has recently been revealed, is partially protected by bye-laws. Clarification is being sought over the means by which bye-laws can be repealed. A site search has been undertaken in order to identify a suitable alternative location should the LEA withdraw its offer of this site. Pupil numbers are falling and this might be regarded as an outcome of the uncertainty surrounding the location of the school. The school has a significant number of surplus places. The planned replacement with a 315 place school would remove 101 places.

St Saviour's CE Infant School and St Saviour's CE Junior School

The Infant school is located on an undersized site in oversized buildings. There are a significant number of suitability problems. There are a large number of unfilled places and the Junior school also has a large number of unfilled places, presents significant suitability problems and has substantial outstanding planned maintenance. Many classes are taught in temporary buildings on a poorly laid out site.

However, the schools are on separate sites (albeit not far from each other) and whilst it may not be possible for financial reasons to provide a new all-through primary school building on a new site in the area this should be regarded as an objective for the medium-term. Amalgamation on existing sites in existing buildings would be a first step towards this objective. Therefore, providing that a suitable site in the area surrounding these schools can be identified, consideration should be given to a consultation exercise regarding the `amalgamation' of St Saviour's Infant School and St Saviour's Junior School.

St Stephen's CE Primary School

This is a popular and successful school undergoing a major remodelling exercise at a cost of £1.5 million. The school is the maximum size that the LEA considers sustainable over the long term and thus cannot expand. No action is required as part of the Area Review.

St Swithin's CE Infant

Based on the numbers on roll, the unit cost per head, the quality of the existing building and facilities, and the clear indication that the school is not popular amongst the local community, there appears to be no pressing reason for maintaining this school. The school does not meet any of the criteria we have established concerning urban schools as set out in 3.1. Every case should, of course, be examined on its merits rather than taking a dogmatic approach regarding school size. However, there appears to be no likelihood of the school becoming a thriving educational setting or requiring a reduction in the exceptionally high unit costs. In October 2000 the Council decided that the school should be maintained with a number of provisos. These included a statement that "...the school (should) maintain its education standards and that it increases its Infant School admissions."

The numbers on roll have declined year on year. The table showing population data shows that there are a considerable number of children aged 5 and under in the area surrounding St Swithin's. The vast majority of local people do not choose this school.

The LEA should undertake consultation regarding the future of this school and, depending on the outcome of such consultation, give consideration to the publication of a statutory proposal to cease to maintain this school.

Swainswick CE Primary

Attention should be paid to the home addresses of pupils attending the school in an effort to determine a) to what extent the school serves its local community and b) whether the local community can sustain the school in the medium and longer term. The buildings and site are extremely unsuitable. Unit costs per head are high. The school is defined as `rural' and Government guidance suggests such schools should be preserved. Closer examination is required prior to undertaking any formal consultation regarding the future of this school.

Widcombe Infant School and Widcombe CE Junior School

Widcombe Infant is a successful and popular school located on an acceptable site and accommodated in buildings that are the right size. There are some suitability problems but the most troublesome relate to the fundamental design of the school and cannot be resolved. The Junior school is also popular but is located on a severely undersized site adjoining the Infant school. The Junior buildings are less than ten years old. As with the St Saviours' schools above consideration could be given to amalgamating these schools as the first step towards creating an all-through building as well as an all-through school. However, a complicating factor in such a move will be the fact that the Infant school is a community school whereas the Junior school is Aided. Discussions should be undertaken with the Diocese in order to establish the desirability and practicality of such a move.