Agenda item

To consider a report by the Legal Advisor to the School Organisation Advisory Board, which explains the role of the Board in considering objections to the expansion proposals, and to make a recommendation to the Executive Board to assist the Executive Board in reaching a decision on the proposals.

 

The proposals subject of the expansion programme are:

 

·  To expand the physical capacity of Little London Community Primary School from 210 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 90 with effect from September 2014 on the adjacent site at Oatland Green (There was one objection to the proposal)

To expand the physical capacity of Rufford Park Primary School from 210 to 315 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 45 with effect from September 2014 on its existing site (There was one objection to the proposal)

·  To expand the physical capacity of Sharp Lane Primary School from 420 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 60 to 90 with effect from September 2014 on its existing site. (There was one objection to the proposal)

 

 

(Report attached)

 

 

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

 

(a)  Changes to Primary Provision at Little London Community Primary School - To expand the physical capacity of Little London Community Primary School from 210 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 90 with effect from September 2014 on the adjacent site at Oatland Green.

 

    It was reported that there was one objection to this proposal.

 

(b)  Changes to Primary Provision at Rufford Park Primary School. - To expand the physical capacity of Rufford Park Primary School from 210 to 315 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 30 to 45 with effect from September 2014 on its existing site.

  It was reported that there was one objection to this proposal.

(c)  Changes to Primary Provision at Sharp Lane Primary School - To expand the physical capacity of Sharp Lane Primary School from 420 to 630 pupils, with an admission number increasing from 60 to 90 with effect from September 2014 on its existing site.

  It was reported that there was one objection received in relation to    this proposal.

The Board considered the following background information:-

 

• Report of Capacity Planning and Sufficiency  - 21^st March 2013  – Outcome of Statutory Notices for the expansion of primary provision in 2014
• Report of the Director of Children’s Services to the Executive Board – 12^th December 2012 – Basic Need Programme 2014 – Outcome of consultation on proposals for expansion of primary provision in 2014
• Report of the Director of Children’s Services to the Executive Board – 18^th July 2012 – Basis Needs Programme – Permission to consult on school place expansions for 2014
• Public Consultation document – Proposal to expand Little London Community Primary School from September 2014
• Public Consultation document – Proposal to expand Rufford Park Primary School from September 2014
• Public Consultation document – Proposal to expand Sharp Lane Primary School from September 2014
• Correspondence from the Governing Body of Sharp Lane Primary School expressing concern at the expansion proposals
• Correspondence from a member of the public objecting to the proposals to expand Little London Community Primary School
• Correspondence from a member of the public supporting the proposals to expand Little London Community Primary School.
• Correspondence from the Governing Body of Rufford Park Primary School  supporting proposals for the expansion of the school

 

 

Little London Community School

 

Mrs E Lowes, Senior Planning and Bids Manager, Children Services addressed the proposals and responded to Members questions and queries.

 

Discussion ensued on the proposals, concentrating on the following issues:-

 

·  Address the need to provide additional provision in the area

·  The proposal is supported by the School Governors

·  No objections received on highway grounds

·  Noted the objection that “large schools in a social disadvantaged area was wrong”

·  The Board were of the opinion that high quality leadership and good management were the drivers to success

 

The Chair adjourned the meeting in order for the groups to discuss the proposals.

 

The groups entitled to vote, and in attendance .i.e. Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England Group; Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group and the Schools Group voted as follows:-

 

·  The Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group voted in favour of the proposals because of the need for additional capacity in the area

 

·  The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals suggesting additional capacity would be good for the area and there was no evidence to suggest that three form entry schools performed less successfully 

 

·  Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England voted in favour of the proposals on the grounds that full consultation had been undertaken with only a single objection being received. Not aware of any research to suggest that large schools sited in socially disadvantaged areas performed less successfully

 

 

Rufford Park Primary School

 

Mrs E Lowes, Senior Planning and Bids Manager, Children Services addressed the proposals and responded to Members questions and queries.

 

Discussion ensued on the proposals, concentrating on the following issues:-

 

 

·  Address the need to provide additional provision in the area

·  Three schools in the area: Tranmere Park Primary School, St Peter’s Rawdon C of E Primary School and Rufford Primary School, were all over subscribed

·  The proposal was supported by the School Governors

·  Good Ofsted Report (January 2012)

·  High percentage of children walked to the school (70%)

·  Concern from an objector that one and half form entry schools were wrong, that they cause the need for mixed age classes making the curriculum harder to deliver

·  Concerns raised at a recent public meeting about increased nuisance from traffic

·  Nearby available car parking

 

The Chair adjourned the meeting in order for the groups to discuss the proposals.

 

The groups entitled to vote, and in attendance .i.e. Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England Group; Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group and the Schools Group voted as follows:-

 

·  The Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group voted in favour of the proposals because of the need for additional capacity in the area and the concerns about parking appeared to have been addressed

 

·  The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals suggesting that additional capacity would be good for the area and no evidence to suggest that mixed age classes made the curriculum harder to deliver

 

·  Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England abstained from voting. – Suggesting there was parental preference for schools further away and also clarification about nearby available car parking – seeking confirmation that the land owners had been consulted and agreed to parental short term use of their car park.

 

Sharp Lane Primary School

 

Mrs E Lowes, Senior Planning and Bids Manager, Children Services addressed the proposals and responded to Members questions and queries.

 

Discussion ensued on the proposals, concentrating on the following issues:-

 

·  Rising demographics in the area

·  Acquisition by the school of the field adjoining the school

·  Issues relating to road safety

·  Design solutions for the new school build

·  Concerns from the Governing Body about their lack of involvement in the proposed plans

·  Good Ofsted Report May 2012

 

 

The Chair adjourned the meeting in order for the groups to discuss the proposals.

 

The groups entitled to vote, and in attendance .i.e. Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England Group; Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group and the Schools Group voted as follows:-

 

·  The Roman Catholic Church Diocese Group voted in favour of the proposals subject to the acquisition of the field adjoining the school and satisfactory highway safety

 

·  The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals suggesting the acquisition of the adjoining field was a core element of the expansion proposals

 

·  Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England voted in favour of the proposals because of the need for additional capacity in the area and reaffirmed that the acquisition of the adjoining field was of major importance to the development

 

 

RESOLVED – It was the view of the School Organisation Advisory Board that the Executive Board be recommended to support the proposals to expand capacity at Little London Community Primary School, Rufford Park Primary School and Sharp Lane Primary School