Agenda item

This report will update the Panel on the steps being taken following the DfE announcement on 19^th January 2017 that Bath Community Academy (BCA) is to close in summer 2018.

Councillor Tim Ball addressed the Panel. He said that the local community had accepted that Bath Community Academy (BCA) will close, but that they were angry at the allocation of places for pupils to other schools and that they believe that some pupils have been cherry picked by other Schools / Academies.

He informed them that he was helping at least six families with future Year 7 pupils to appeal against their allocation of St. Mark’s having been refused places at Ralph Allen.

He stated that he wished to commend the role that the Head Teacher of BCA had played in this process, but that he was concerned by the actions of other local Head Teachers.

He urged for a prompt decision to be made regarding the future provision on the site.

The Chair asked if he was aware that some Year 9 pupils were being told that courses they wish to enrol for at their new school were full.

Councillor Ball replied that he had been told this and he asks the Cabinet Member to address the issue.

The Chair asked if he knew that no offer of Home to School Transport would be given for pupils unless they chose St. Mark’s as their new school.

Councillor Ball replied that he had heard that that may be the case and if so it would mean that pupils travelling across the City may have to embark on at least two bus journeys. He added that this concerned him as the safety of pupils is paramount.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities said that specific evidence would be required for any action to be taken regarding the allegation of the cherry picking of pupils. He added that course options can be limited for pupils outside of this particular scenario.

He said that pupils would be able to access Home To School Transport in line with the Council’s published criteria and that would generally mean that those attending schools closer to BCA than St Marks would be unlikely to qualify on distance grounds, but might under SEN, FSM, etc. He said that pupils who live within 1 – 1.5 miles of their allocated school could not expect to  be provided with transport. He added communication regarding a decision on the site would be key and that there was a pressing local need for more Special School places.

The Chair asked how long the offer of Home to School Transport for pupils transferring to St. Mark’s would last.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that it would last for the duration of need for those pupils with SEN, those eligible for Free School Meals and those living above the distance from school threshold, as well as to the pupils starting year 7 or 10 in September 2016 who had opted to transfer to St Marks.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if an existing Special School could move to the BCA site when it becomes vacant if it chose to operate as a Free School.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that any bid to operate a Free School must be from an entirely new entity.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how well have parents engaged with the process and have the preferences for Year 9 been allocated.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that the majority of parents had attended an Information Evening at BCA and have submitted their preferences. He added that the work regarding allocation was close to conclusion.

Councillor Matt Cochrane asked how the closure would affect the figures in relation to surplus places and capacity levels at schools across B&NES.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that work has been carried out on this matter and that sufficient capacity should be available for at least the next 5 years subject to schools’ decisions on their Planned Admission Numbers (PAN). He added that a five school preference system was now in place which would help to ensure Bath pupils secure a place in a Bath school.

Councillor Alison Millar asked if any BCA pupils were transferring to Oldfield.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that Oldfield have agreed to allocate some places by breaching their PAN.

Councillor Alison Millar asked how many current year 7 and 8 pupils are there at BCA.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that there are approximately 50 in Year 7 and 50 in Year 8.

The Chair asked if there was a greater need to create a new Special School in the South West of Bath than any other area of Bath and if so would this not conflict with a current provider.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities replied that there was no greater need currently identified for one in the South West of Bath and that the schools system generally is based on competition and that the offers available should look to complement each other.

The Panel RESOLVED to recommend to;

i)  Note the actions in hand,

ii)  Commend the work of BCA, Council officers, and other local secondary schools to ensure that families affected by the closure are well supported and that pupils can experience a positive transition to another school.

iii)  Ask officers to identify what provision is missing from the current mix of schools and what the local and broader community needs are to ensure that the Council have an agreed position when an application for a free school or other development is received for the Rush Hill site.