Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 7th April, 2004
EDUCATION, YOUTH, CULTURE AND LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL
A REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH AND CENTRAL BATH AREA
PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS PRESENTED TO SCHOOLS ON 25TH MARCH TO BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL EXECUTIVE
7TH APRIL 2004
General
The Panel were unanimously of the opinion that a major re-organisation of the primary schools within this cluster area was needed. They wished it noted that their recommendations implied no reflection on the quality of the education provided in the schools. In fact many of the schools within the cluster are seen as good or excellent in their Ofsted reports.
In addition the Panel recognised the contributions the head teacher and teaching staff have made to the teaching environment and educational output of the schools.
The panel has gathered a great deal of evidence, undertaken visits, listened to contributions and studied current statistics and future trends. The underlying factor recognised by the panel is that current surplus places in the cluster are 364 (against an actual take up of 1935) and trends show a further reduction in primary school age children in the coming years.
The panel made the following specific recommendations with regard to the individual schools:
The recommendations below would be subject to statutory consultation.
1. The Panel agreed that Bathwick St Mary CE VA Primary School, St Andrew's CE VC Primary School and St Stephen's CE VA Primary School did not need any further consideration.
2. Widcombe Infant and Junior Schools
The Panel agreed that the potential to amalgamate Widcombe Infant and Widcombe CE VA Junior was an option requiring further investigation and recommended that a report be prepared in the near future to examine the advantages and disadvantages of such a proposal.
3. St Saviour's CE Infant and St Saviour's CE Junior
In relation to St Saviour's Infant and St Saviour's Junior Schools, the Panel noted the draft conclusion prepared by Officers and considered this at some length. It was decided that an amalgamation of these two schools within existing buildings and on existing sites was only acceptable if the Council were able to offer a prospect in the medium term of providing new buildings on a new site in the area. Panel members noted with concern the poor quality of some of the Junior school buildings.
Panel members welcomed the fact that contributors from both the infant and Junior schools had emphasised the willingness of both schools to engage positively in an `amalgamation' once the objective of new buildings on a new site were set and had a reasonable chance of being met.
4. St John's Catholic VA Primary School
The Panel considered St John's Catholic Primary School. Members were particularly concerned at the condition of the buildings at the St Alphege's site. Members agreed that the school was in urgent need of replacement on a single site and that a suitable site, available for development at the earliest opportunity, should be identified. The Panel considered that the school should be limited to a maximum of 280 to 315 places.
The Panel recognised the work the previous Education Committee undertook and also current work on finding the optimum site. The Panel recommended that the Council do all in its power to expedite a much -delayed project to replace the school. Members noted that any replacement of this school would remove a high number of unfilled places and, in all likelihood, transfer it to a different cluster.
5. St Swithin's Infant School
The Panel recommended that St Swithin's School be closed, subject to statutory consultation. Key determinants in this case, were the very small numbers of full-time pupils and the exceptionally high unit cost of the school. St Saviour's Infants School would be the nominated school as it is the geographically nearest. Transitional transport therefore would be provided to St Saviour's. The Panel considered that appropriate arrangements be made to meet the needs of those children with SEN - this covers both statemented and non-statemented children recognised by the school as having this need.
6 Swainswick Primary School
The Panel considered that numbers attending the school from the local community were insufficient to sustain the school, that it serves only a limited number of local children, provides education at a high unit cost, is located on a site with suitability issues and recommended (by a majority) that Swainswick Primary School be closed, subject to statutory consultation. Transitional transport arrangements from the immediate B&NES villages of Upper/Lower Swainswick, Tadwick, Langridge etc be put in place to take the children to the nominated school.
7. Parkside Infants School
The Panel recommended that, subject to statutory consultation, Parkside Infants School be closed. The fact that the school has a significant proportion of unfilled places, serves only a limited number of local children, provides education at a high unit cost, is located on a site with significant suitability issues and offers no natural partner junior school were key determinants. The Panel notes that 50% (31 children) of the children walked to the school. The Panel considered that a significant number of children attending Parkside may require transitional transport. Children who live further away would attend their nearest school, some of which would be outside the North & Central Bath cluster.
The Panel wished the Executive Member to consider using any proceeds which come from the transfer of these school premises to other Council services to be viewed as a capital receipt which could be re-invested in education to help the backlog of maintenance and building works. This was not currently Council policy, but the Panel felt it should be strongly considered within this review.
The Panel recommended that any school which is built in the future to serve the new development at Western Riverside should also include the community around Parkside Infants.
General Recommendations and comments
The Panel felt it important that parents and children be encouraged to attend their local school. The executive needs to recognise that with fewer vacancies in the cluster, there will be a `tightening' on schools' admissions policies and the panel has made clear preferences that local children should be able to attend their local school.
The Panel recommended that if schools which currently offer children hot dinners were closed, the schools to which the pupils were transferred should ensure that that meal choice was still made available.
The present poor condition of buildings at St Saviours Juniors was noted and the Panel recommends that through the Asset Management Planning process attention be given to the condition issues faced by the school.
Condition of schools in the cluster is generally good. New buildings erectedwhich include St Andrews (1990), Bathwick St Mary (1991) and Widcombe Juniors (1996). The executive member needs to consider any increased capacity in the short term at these schools to enable local children to attend. It should also be noted that St Stephens in currently undertaking a major rebuilding programme.
The panel noted the deficiencies at both Bathwick St Mary's and St Andrews regarding access to a playing field.
The issue of working parents was raised by both panel members and members of the public and it is thought that the LEA should undertake further research into what the needs and requirements are for parents of primary age children travelling into the main centres of work in B&NES.
The panel requested that further studies and costs are required to quantify the numbers and extent of `cross LEA pupils' travelling into and out of B&NES.
Definitions
Transitional transport means transport provided for those children on the current role and those with an acceptance offer for the coming school year.
Medium term is 3 to 5 years.
End.