Issue - meetings

To be moved by a member of the Labour Group.

[This item was deferred from the November 2016 Council meeting.]

The Council considered a motion from the Labour Group opposing the re-introduction of Grammar schools.  This was subsequently amended as set out below.

On a motion from Councillor Michael Evans, seconded by Councillor Fiona Darey, it was

RESOLVED that this Council:

1.  Notes the high quality and diverse range of school provision in the area which provides some parental choice; enables faith-based and non-faith-based education; single-sex and co-educational schools; and a varied curricular offer including the more vocationally-based Studio School provision.

2.  Notes that the Government’s education Green Paper ‘Schools that Work for Everyone’ contained a number of proposals to increase parental choice through the provision of more Good and Outstanding school places, including greater involvement of universities in schools, removing barriers to sponsorship by faith organisations, bringing Independent Schools and their resources to the service of state schools, and expanding the provision of selective places.

3.  Notes that there is no intention to re-create the binary system of the fifties, but a desire to expand the variety of provision to meet the needs of different children, provide greater parental choice, and raise standards.

4.  Recognises the role that selection and streaming by aptitude and ability plays in providing a good, tailored, education for all children, and notes the government’s encouragement of Secondary Schools and Multi Academy Trusts to improve provision for the most academically able pupils.

5.  Notes that the Government has stated that any proposals for new selective schools would need to demonstrate support from the community.

6.  Notes that, under the Government’s proposals, there is no provision for local authorities themselves to establish and run new schools, whether Grammar or other schools, and that all Councillors and members of the public were able to respond to the Green Paper consultation, and that further comments and submissions can be made as and when the White Paper is published.

[Notes:

1.  The original agenda motion, moved by Councillor John Bull and seconded by Councillor Lin Patterson, was replaced by a successful amendment, which was carried on a vote of 35 Councillors voting in favour, 23 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.

2.  The substantive motion above was carried with 35 Councillors voting in favour, 22 Councillors voting against and 1 Councillor abstaining.]