1 THE ISSUE

1.1 A consultation exercise has been undertaken examining the future of Keynsham Primary School and Temple Primary School and the possibility of creating a new school. A decision is sought on further action in relation to this exercise.

2 RECOMMENDATION

The Council Executive;

2.1 Note the responses received during the consultation exercise.

2.2 Note that there is extremely limited support for the closure of either Keynsham Primary School or Temple Primary School and the redistribution of pupils to other schools in the area and reject this option.

2.3 Welcome the widespread support for the creation of a new school. This is the Executive's preferred option.

2.4 Note the divided response regarding the choice of a site for any new school.

2.5 Agree, in principle, that both schools should close and a new school be established.

2.6 Agree that any publication of statutory proposals will await the outcome of further exploration regarding the benefits and disadvantages of the two sites most favoured by consultees, namely Kelston Road and St John's Court and further mandatory consultation.

3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 The costs of undertaking any further exploration or consultation can be met from existing resources.

3.2 Any decision that does not lead to the disposal of the Keynsham Primary School site means that receipts will not be available to support the provision of additional capacity at other Keynsham schools or the development of a new school.

3.3 Any decision that does not lead to the closure of Temple Primary School means that receipts from disposal of the sites and buildings will not be available to support the provision of additional capacity at other Keynsham schools or the development of a new school.

4 THE REPORT

4.1 An initial study of all schools in the Keynsham area began in September 2003.

4.2 This area review was the first of a rolling programme of reviews which, over the period 2003-2007 will cover all primary schools (barring those in Radstock) in Bath & North East Somerset. The aims of each Review are a) to maintain and improve educational standards, b) to ensure that resources are used in the most effective manner c) to attempt to provide access to high quality facilities for children, staff and the wider community and d) to make local schools the natural and easy choice for parents.

4.3 A public meeting, organised by the Education, Youth, Culture & Leisure Overview & Scrutiny Panel was held at Broadlands School on November 12^th. Representations were made by each school in the area alongside representatives of the minor authorities and Bath & North East Somerset Council.

4.4 At its meeting on December 10^th 2003 the Executive considered the outcomes of the "Review of Schools in the Keynsham Area".

4.5 The Executive agreed to consult further with stakeholders regarding the closure of Keynsham Primary School or the closure of Temple Primary School or the closure of both schools and the creation of a new school on a site to be determined. This decision reflected the issues raised by stakeholders.

4.6 A consultation document was published on February 13th and this was distributed to parents of children at both schools. In addition, copies were sent to the Governors of the two schools, the minor authorities, the Headteachers and Chairs of Governors of the two secondary schools serving the town. The document contains five possible sites for a new school and asks for opinions on the closure of Keynsham Primary School, Temple Primary School or the closure of both schools and the establishment of a new school. All those who favour the creation of a new school were asked to express an opinion on the desirability of each of the five sites. The five sites included the current Keynsham Primary School site (hereinafter referred to as the Kelston Road site) and land at St John's Court. During the course of consultation some responses have requested that the Council examine the possibility of extending the Temple site at Bath Hill into the adjacent Memorial Park. One response asked for reconsideration of the merits of a site at Somerdale.

4.7 Officers attended formal consultation meetings with staff, Governors, parents and the wider community on March 8^th and March 11^th at Temple and Keynsham respectively. These meetings were very well attended. Notes of these meetings are attached. Officers and the Executive Member also attended a meeting with the Pupil Council at Temple Primary School on March 10^th. A transcription of the notes of this meeting has been provided by Temple Primary School and is attached.

4.8 The consultation period closed on March 25^th 2004.

4.9 Over 250 responses have been received using both the proforma produced by the Council, another proforma produced by a group of parents at Temple Primary School, letters, and e-mails.

4.10 No new options have emerged from the consultation exercise. The majority of responses favour the closure of both schools and the creation of a new school.

4.11 Almost all responses from consultees primarily associated with Temple emphasise the benefits of building a new school on land at St John's Court and strong opposition to the use of the Kelston Road site. Reasons for opposition to the Kelston Road site include; distance from certain areas of the town, the capacity of an after school club (known as Kookaburra and based at Temple) to survive in a location that is not in the town centre and the perceived social problems in the area surrounding the Kelston Road site.

4.12 The benefits of the St John's Court in the view of many of these consultees are that it is centrally located thus retaining many of the perceived and actual advantages of the existing Temple Primary sites. The proximity of St John's Court to facilities such as the swimming pool, the Memorial Park and the public library, the convenience of a central location for people living in certain parts of the town, and the need to establish a new school on what has been referred to as a `neutral' site were commented on in many responses.

4.13 Almost all responses from people primarily associated with Keynsham Primary School have emphasised the benefits of the Kelston Road site as the location for a new school.

4.14 Consultees primarily associated with Keynsham Primary consider Kelston Road as the optimum location for any new school as it is by far the largest proposed site in Keynsham (thus providing ample scope for development), suited to the purpose and in current use as a school site. Consultees have commented that Kelston Road is away from busy roads yet readily accessible from the town centre via Charlton Road and also that it is closer to the homes of those children who currently make the journey from the Kelston Road area to the town centre.

4.15 Some responses from residents in the area surrounding Kelston Road have identified increased traffic as a potential problem arising from the development of a new school on this site and this would need to be examined closely should this site be redeveloped.

4.16 Members are invited to note that the Memorial Park is considered by Planning Policy colleagues as a Visually Important Open Space within the context of the Revised Deposit Local Plan. The Deposit Plan states that "Development which harms the openness and character of Visually Important Open Spaces.... will not be permitted" It can be seen therefore that the extension of the Bath Hill site of Temple is not practical.

4.17 Members are invited to note the view of the Corporate Estate Manager who has confirmed that the Somerdale site was not included in the consultation document, as one of the five potential sites for any new school, primarily because it is detached from the main residential areas of Keynsham and especially from the population served by the existing schools.

4.18 Members are invited to note the concerns of the B&NES Economic Development Service in relation to consideration of St John's Court as a potential site for any new school. They point out that this site currently has planning consent for a food store and is seen as key to the economic regeneration of Keynsham. The St. John's Court site is the only suitable vacant site in the town centre at present. This view is stated in the recently published Keynsham Town Plan, which is the result of nearly two years' community consultation work.

4.19 Consultees were asked to express views on the closure of one or other of these two schools with pupils from the closed school being redistributed to other schools in the area. Whilst there is some support for both variants of this option it is extremely limited. Furthermore, whilst it is likely to be of the most financial benefit to the Council it would not meet all the aims of the Review as set out in 4.2 above.

4.20 The most widely held view was that a new school should be created even though this would result in the closure of both Keynsham Primary School and Temple Primary School. Members are invited to welcome support for the Council's preferred option and also to note that consultees have been prepared to support previously unpalatable conclusions as a result of the review and consultation process.

4.21 However, given the aims of the Review and the overarching Council and Government objective of promoting community cohesion Members are invited to note with concern the sharp and clear division regarding the choice of a site for any new school.

4.22 It is the case that there is no discernible or expressed support amongst those associated with Temple Primary School for the creation of a school at Kelston Road.

4.23 Equally, it is the case that there is no discernible or expressed support amongst those associated with Keynsham Primary School for the use of a site other than at Kelston Road.

4.24 Further detailed exploration of the merits and disadvantages of both the Kelston Road site and the St John's Court site should be undertaken in order to identify which of these sites offer the greatest chance of meeting the aims of the Review. A further consultation exercise, which identifies a single site and states the Council's proposal for development should then be undertaken. Consideration can then be given as to whether to proceed with the publication of a statutory proposal.

5 RATIONALE

5.1 A majority of consultees agree with the Council and favour the establishment of a new school.

5.2 The benefits and disadvantages of the two sites favoured by consultees require very detailed investigation.

6 OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

6.1 Officers considered the possibility of addressing the concerns of consultees associated with Temple Primary School initially through further discussion with the Governors. However, it is the view of the Officers involved in the consultation meetings held so far that the opposition to a new school at Kelston Road is so deeply felt that such an exercise would prove fruitless.

6.2 Officers considered retaining Keynsham Primary School as it stands. Officers believe that this option offers no possibility of meeting the immediate, medium or long-term objectives of the Review. Educational standards can, no doubt, be maintained but, in view of the fact that no significant additional housing is planned in the Keynsham area for the remainder of this decade, and that there is no evidence that there will be a sharp increase in the birth rate, there is no prospect of the number of unfilled places at the school being reduced. In all likelihood, numbers at the school will continue to decline. The facilities available to the school are less than ideal for the delivery of the modern curriculum and offer little opportunity for community use. Furthermore, in the context of community cohesion, it is the case that for various reasons a significant number of local children do not attend this school.

6.3 The possibility of a complete closure of Keynsham Primary School formed part of the original consultation exercise and was not considered further by Officers.

6.4 The possibility of a complete closure of Temple Primary School formed part of the original consultation exercise and was not considered further by Officers.

7 CONSULTATION

7.1 Formal consultation meetings were held with staff, Governors, parents and the wider community at Temple Primary School on 8 March 2004.

7.2 Formal consultation meetings were held with staff, Governors, parents and the wider community at Keynsham Primary School on March 11^th

7.3 Approximately 600 copies of the consultation document were distributed to parents/carers and other interested parties including the minor authorities.

Keynsham Primary School

Notes of Staff Meeting 3:30pm

11 March 2004

Introductions were made to all attendees of the below B&NES representatives:-

Approximate number of Keynsham staff in attendance: 22

Tony Parker commenced with summarising the key purpose for the meeting relaying that the initial intention is to gauge reactions and feedback from Keynsham Primary staff to the proposals laid out in the Consultation Paper. It was stressed that as yet, no firm decision has been made as to the future of Keynsham & Temple schools and that this decision will be made by the Executive Members during their meeting on 7^th April 2004..

From the original recommendation laid out in the Keynsham Review, three proposals are now to be considered. The public meetings being held at both Temple and Keynsham Primary are to discuss feedback on these proposals. This feedback along with all other relevant information will then be issued to the Council Executive to assist with their final decision. If the Executive chooses one of the proposals, then a further consultation will take place on that specific proposal.

Responses were then requested from attendees:

Please note -

Q = Question to Tony Parker and/or Bruce Austen

A = Answer from TP and/or BA

R = Response from audience

Q: Why were Keynsham and Temple chosen?

A: 11 recommendations went forward to the Executive. Out of these, two sites were chosen as further items for discussion. Some of the key concerns are that Keynsham Primary s under-subscribed and Temple Primary is split site. A common solution would be to build a new school.

R: Staff feels Keynsham site is the best location as there is ample space and room for extensions if needed in the future.

R: Only option would be a new school where both can merge. Parents and teachers feel a fresh start to build a new school with a new name is the best option.

R Keynsham site would be preferable for new build as there is already nursery care being offered on site.

R: If the birth rate rises again in the future, then the Keynsham site has potential for extending. St John's Court cannot be extended and appears limited for space.

R: The `bigger picture' needs to be considered and the whole community needs to focus on this.

Q: What would happen to staff and their jobs?

A: If both schools close - then an amalgamation would take place such as with the two Fosse Way schools. Staff would be asked if they wish to transfer, retire etc. Number of pupils determines amount of staff needed. LEA would make every effort to ensure that every member of staff is offered employment .

Q: The Fosseway schools had a junior and infant who didn't conflict with each other. With Temple & Keynsham, they are both primary schools and there is concern that there would be surplus staff when they both amalgamate.

A: There may well be surplus staff but every effort would be made to offer staff jobs. Redundancy may take place in some instances.

Q: How would the Radstock schools merge into the new school, once built.

A: There would be a transfer of staff to the new school - retirement or relocation may be requested. Redundancies may happen if nothing can be worked out. Redundancies would be investigated and circumstances looked at - temporary governing body would decide on this.

Q: What happens if the Executive decide on the schools merging and not a new build?

A: The same option as above would be given to current staff which may again, result in some redundancies.

Q: Four years ago Keynsham Primary had double the amount of children. If they still had same number now, would they still be listed for closure?

A: Probably not but it's difficult to say as the question is hypothetical.

Q. The LEA was aware of why children have reduced in Keynsham Primary but nothing was done about it. The school feels it is not their fault that NOR has decreased and that funds have been invested into other schools with extensions being built to cope with extra children resulting in fewer children attending Keynsham Primary.

A: Extensions were due to government guidelines on infant class sizes where they were over subscribed at time.

R: Keynsham Primary has felt a "poor relation" and has not had the same support from the LEA as other schools. They feel they are now paying for this outcome.

Q: Would all Temple children transfer to the new school if it were built on the Keynsham site?

A: Children would be offered a preference of schools and would not automatically transfer to a new school on the Keynsham site.

Q: Would the LEA consider expanding other schools if children wanted to go there instead and not to Keynsham?

A: The LEA cannot meet every need - a balance would need to be met. All considerations would be looked at. One option is redistribution of pupils to other schools - places might be added at other schools if needed.

Q: Would there be a full kitchen at new school?

A: Both the new schools in Radstock are having full kitchens. This can be considered for a new school at Keynsham also.

Q: If children are redistributed to other schools - are there enough places for them?

A: Yes - but only just. Expansions may be needed at other schools. Decision would not be made on just numbers of children at schools.

Q: Is there a new nursery space at new school.

A: Yes - Early Years are planned to be provided for in a new school.

Q: Do you think this is best option yourself?

A: We believe the three short listed proposals are the best options. The LEA however, would like feedback from people in Keynsham and what they really want to happen.

Q: The LEA currently has no power over catchment areas. If the intake at the Chandag Schools were changed, Keynsham would not have to close as some children from there would be able to go to Keynsham Primary.

A We cannot change that - Chandag is a popular school.

Q One problem concerning staff at Keynsham is the contrast between Keynsham and Temple schools and the stronger support from parents at Temple Primary. Keynsham staff feel that the Executive may be swayed by the stronger response from Temple parents and staff.

A The simple numbers or responders would not sway the vote. This would be considered but along with many other important facts.

R A new school at Keynsham site with amalgamation between the two schools would improve the whole ethos for Keynsham. Temple would bring a positive approach to a new build.

R: Keynsham's response to the proposals appear to be a little lukewarm as staff and parents feel the odds are in their favour of a new school being built on their current site.