Issue - meetings

In February 2011 a single member decision to determine a statutory notice to close Culverhay School was ‘called in’ under the Council’s provisions for scrutiny of decisions. In March 2011 the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered the reasons for the submission of the call - in and decided to refer the request to full Council. Cabinet now need to consider the outcome of the Council hearing of the call - in.

Councillor Nathan Hartley introduced the item by responding to criticism of the new plans being considered by Cabinet.  He said that the previous decision had been predicated on 1500 empty school places, when in fact 750 of these were filled by children from outside the authority.  He said that the remaining empty places provided parental choice, which was a good thing.  He reminded the Cabinet that the school’s vision was for a co-educational school – which it had been prevented from pursuing for 15 years – and for the provision of education up to 19 years old, plus vocational and educational courses, all of which would allow the school to move confidently towards becoming viable again after the damage done by the threat of closure.  He said that the move to co-education would be funded by the Council to the amount of £300K, and the essential staff restructuring would be funded up to £400K.  He pointed out that it had been very unwise for the previous administration to promise the capital proceeds of the sale of Culverhay to other schools in advance of closure.  He also observed that Culverhay had the highest number of walkers and cyclists to school in the whole authority and this would now be encouraged even more if the school stayed open to serve its community.

Councillor Hartley reminded the Cabinet that whatever option they chose for Culverhay’s future, it must meet the four priorities:

·  To ensure excellent educational provision for all children in the area;

·  To allow girls to attend the school;

·  To address the deficit which the school acknowledges will be a challenge;

·  To encourage the school to collaborate with other schools to enhance educational standards.

He announced that this year’s admissions booklet, which was unable to offer the co-educational option for Culverhay, would contain a promise to parents that, should Culverhay achieve co-educational status in time, then all parents would receive a letter offering them an opportunity to reconsider whether they wished to change their option.

He moved the resolution below and said that if Cabinet agreed, then it would allow Culverhay School to make a fresh start and to prove itself to parents, students, sponsors and the whole community.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He was confident that parents, school and LEA could work together to deliver the co-educational Academy bid to government.

On a motion from Councillor Nathan Hartley, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that its preferred option for Culverhay School would be for the school to become co-educational, either as an Academy or as a Free School;

(2) To INSTRUCT officers to work with the school’s Governing Body to deliver the preferred option at the earliest opportunity.