Issue - meetings

The Governing Body of St. Mary’s C of E Primary school, Writhlington, has consulted on and published a proposal to alter the lower age limit of the school from age 4 to age 3 by the addition of Early Years provision that would be run by the school. At the end of the six week statutory notice representation period (26 July 2011) a decision is required to determine the proposal.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson made a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 7 and is available on the Council’s website] in which she wholeheartedly supported the school’s application.

Councillor Nathan Hartley, in proposing the item, paid tribute to the commitment and devotion of the group of parents who had run the existing Early Years group so successfully on a voluntary basis and who were now stepping down.  He thanked the Governors of the school for their eagerness to maintain the provision and to spend school funds on refurbishment of the premises.

Councillor Simon Allen seconded the proposal and said how pleased he had been to see that there was widespread support for the proposals.  He felt that removing a transition stage for children was always a good thing, and that maintaining the provision within school was therefore very welcome.

Councillor Cherry Beath endorsed the earlier comments.

Rationale

Capacity and sustainability in the local area should not be an issue because the proposal is for the school to take over running an existing pre-school provision currently run on a voluntary basis by a management committee, so no new places are being created that might have a negative effect on the viability of other provision locally.  The proposal will ensure that this age group of children have access to high quality education, and a seamless transition into school.  St. Mary’s C of E Primary school benefits from excellent liaison and links with the Local Authority, a host of outside agencies and support, as well as strong links with a wide range of educational networks

Other than a response from the NUT who had no objections to the proposal, no responses were received during the six week representation period following publication of the statutory notice. No objections to the proposal were raised during the consultation period and there was one response from the local MP offering his assistance if required.

Other Options Considered

The school and the Early Years team did consider whether a replacement voluntary management committee could be identified to continue to run the provision but there has been no interest from the local community. Also the inclusion of the pre-school as part of the school is expected to improve educational outcomes for children and allow one whole phase of transition – from pre-school into school - to be eliminated.

On a motion from Councillor Nathan Hartley, seconded by Councillor Simon Allen, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that the lower age limit of St. Mary’s C of E Primary school be altered from age 4 to age 3 by the addition of Early Years provision to commence on 1 September 2011.