Meeting documents

1.1 Falling rolls in schools are a national issue which is reflected in Bath & North East Somerset. Examination of the number of unfilled and potentially surplus places in schools can ensure that funding is directed to where it is most needed, to the benefit of all pupils. Reviews of the way in which schools are organised are therefore an important element of the Council's strategic management role. Regular examination of the supply of, and demand for, school places is essential in order to ensure that education is being delivered in the most effective way.

1.2 At September 2004 the Bathavon area has, using the Audit Commission method of calculation (see 4.4), 52 unfilled primary school places which represents 11.32% of capacity in the area.

The Council Executive is asked to:

4.1 At its meeting on 9 July 2003 the Council Executive adopted a School Organisation Plan (the Plan) for the period 2003-2008. At a meeting of the full Council on 17 July the Plan also received unanimous support and the Plan was finally approved by the School Organisation Committee (a body independent of the Council) on 22 July 2003.

4.2 The Plan included a new process for undertaking reviews of schools. This process was developed through work undertaken by the EYCL OSP who consulted widely and heard from a number of key stakeholders during the process. The Plan is on the Council website at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/SchoolOrgPlan/SchoolOrgPlan2003-2008/ContentsPage.htm

4.3 The Plan stated that those areas most in need of review were those which presented the highest number of unfilled, and thus potentially surplus, places. This work was completed during the 2003/04 academic year. At its meeting on 6 July 2004 the School Organisation Committee agreed that the Authority should continue the review process and complete reviews in the remaining areas of Bath and the adjoining planning area of Bathavon.

4.4 Members are invited to note that the method used by the Department for Education & Skills for calculating the numbers of unfilled places only takes into account the number of places unfilled at schools where capacity exceeds the number of children on roll. It does not take account of the deficit of places at schools.

4.5 An initial document was prepared and distributed to key stakeholders for `fact-checking' in April 2005. Following responses a number of corrections and clarifications were made and a further document was issued in May 2005. This document attached at Appendix 3 contained all the agreed facts, requests for clarification and correction, the LEA response to those requests and some draft conclusions drawn up by Officers.

4.6 The EYCL OSP organised a visit to each of the schools covered by this Review. The tour took place on 18th May 2005.

4.7 The revised document referred to in 4.5 was discussed at a specially arranged public meeting of the EYCL OSP, held on 23^rd May 2005. The meeting heard contributions or received written statements from schools covered by this Review plus other speakers.

4.8 The Panel reached their conclusions taking into account the views expressed at the public meeting and their observations of the schools during the tour.

4.9 The Panel presented their findings at a public session on 16^th June 2005. Members are asked to note the positive view of the Panel of the three schools regarding educational standards and the close links to their local communities.

4.10 The final report of the Panel is attached at Appendix 1 and Members are invited to note their recommendations.