Agenda and minutes

To receive the Chair’s opening remarks.

The Chair welcomed everyone in attendance

To seek nominations for the position of Vice Chair

The Clerk to the Board sought nominations for the position of Vice Chair to the School Organisation Advisory Board

Reverend C Sedgewick nominated Mrs T Hagerty, the Chair seconded the proposal

RESOLVED – That Mrs T Hagerty be elected Vice Chair of the School Organisation Advisory Board for a one year period

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received for Mr D Kenny and Mr J Sutton

To note any declarations of interest.

Mr C Sedgewick declared a personnel interest in the proposals to close Parklands Girls High School, the Diocese of the Church of England having put forward a bid to establish an Academy on the Parklands site

To consider a report by the Legal Adviser to the Board explaining the role of the Board in considering objections to the following proposals and to make recommendations to the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the following proposals:

Statutory proposals to seek the closure of City of Leeds High School, the Closure of Parklands Girls High School, the Closure of Primrose High School and Changes to Primary Provision in Horsforth

(Report attached)

The Board considered a report by the Legal Adviser to the Board explaining the role of the Board in considering objections to the following proposals and to make recommendations to the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the following proposals:

Statutory proposals to seek the closure of City of Leeds High School, the Closure of Parklands Girls High School, the Closure of Primrose High School and Changes to Primary Provision in Horsforth

Changes  Provision in Horsforth

The Board were advised thatin January 2010 the Executive Board approved a formal consultation on proposals for changes to Featherbank Infant School and Newlaithes Junior School in Horsforth. Statutory Notices were published to decrease the lower age range of Newlaithes Junior School from 7-11 to 4-11, with an admission limit of 60 and with an overall capacity of 420 children and increase the age range of Featherbank Infant School form 4-7 to 4-11 and decrease the admissions number from 60 to 30, with an overall capacity of 210 children. These proposals were formally linked.

There was one response to the statutory notices, which opposed the change.

Officers reported that the objections received raised no new significant issues

Members discussed the proposal, concentrating on the following issues:

• Use of site availability
• Concern over transition arrangements
• Risk of negative disruption to education
• A desire for further consultation on the Early years Service in the Horsforth area
• Concern over funding of a new key stage

The Board noted the objections and expressed sympathy to the concerns raised

Closure of Primrose High School

The Board were advised that in October 2009 the Executive Board approved a formal consultation on the proposed closure of Primrose High School on 31^st August 2011 to be replaced by an Academy sponsored by the Co-operative Society.

There were nine responses to the statutory notice, which opposed the change.

Officers reported that the objections received raised no new significant issues

Members discussed the proposal, concentrating on the following issues:

• The ability of the sponsor(s) to deliver Secondary Education provision at Primrose
• Insufficient clarity about the links with City of Leeds College
•  Early years provision

The Board noted the objections

Closure of Parklands Girls High School

The Board were advised that in October 2009 the Executive Board approved a formal consultation on the proposed closure of Parklands Girls High School on 31^st August 2011 to be replaced by an Academy sponsored by the Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust (EACT). A parallel consultation was conducted on the provision of single sex girl’s education.

There were seven responses to the statutory notice, which opposed the change.

Officers reported that the objections received raised no new significant issues

Members discussed the proposal, concentrating on the following issues:

• Budgetary implications for the Academy
• The ability of the proposed sponsor to deliver school improvement
• Concern about administration costs for the Academy
• The move away from single sex schools
• The location for the provision of an additional High School to serve the east Leeds community

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To identify future business for the Advisory Board.

There were no issues raised under future business

To identify a date and time for the next meeting of the Board

Arrangements for a future meeting of the Schools Organisation Advisory Board to be notified to Members in due course