Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining recommended options for delivering the next phase in structuring secondary provision in Leeds, and in particular, the response to the National Challenge.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report outlining recommended options for delivering the next phase in structuring secondary provision in Leeds, and in particular, the response to the National Challenge.

The report outlined options in relation to the individual elements of the Central Leeds Learning Federation, Primrose High School, City of Leeds High School, Parklands Girls’ High School, Boston Spa School and Wetherby High School in Outer North East Leeds and presented two composite options dependent on the availability of BSF funding as follows:

OPTION A: If BSF Funding Is Available To Leeds

The Central Leeds Learning Federation

To propose that the Federation be dissolved and that the possibilities and opportunities of Trust developments be explored as other structural options are developed.

Primrose High School

To consult on a proposal that Primrose High School should be closed and be replaced by an Academy which should open in September 2010.

City of Leeds

To consult on a proposal that City of Leeds School should be closed and be replaced by an Academy which should open on the City of Leeds site in September 2010.  To propose that the Academy be moved to new build provision in East Leeds as soon as possible and using the current site for girls only provision.

Parklands Girls High School

To consult on a proposal that Parklands Girls’ High School should be closed and replaced by an Academy which should open in September 2010.  It is intended that the Academy sponsor and the associated partners would help the school focus on developing academic and vocational excellence.  The Academy should be moved to the City of Leeds site as it becomes available.  The current site would be further developed through BSF and used for new mixed secondary provision to meet the demand for secondary places in the area.

Outer NE Leeds

To consult on a proposal to establish a federation between Boston Spa School and Wetherby High School which would move into newly-built provision in Outer North East Leeds to cater for young people living in Boston Spa and Wetherby.  Such a federation could also become a sponsor for a new build provision in East Leeds with full extended services provision and incorporating community and special educational needs provision.

OPTION B: If No BSF Funding Is Available To Leeds

The Central Leeds Learning Federation

To propose that the Federation be dissolved and the possibilities and opportunities of Trust developments be explored as other structural options are developed.

Primrose High School

To consult on a proposal that Primrose High School should be closed and be replaced by an Academy which should open in September 2010.

City of Leeds

To consult on a proposal that City of Leeds School should be closed and be replaced by an Academy which should open in September 2010 and transfer to the Parklands site.  To then propose to use the City of Leeds site for girls only provision.

Parklands Girls’ High School

To consult on a proposal that Parklands Girls’ High School should be closed and replaced by an Academy which should open in September 2010.  It is intended that the Academy sponsor and the associated partners would help the school focus on developing academic and vocational excellence.  The Academy should be moved to the City of Leeds site as it becomes available.  The site would be used for a new Academy providing mixed secondary provision.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That, subject to additional BSF funding being available, option A above be adopted and that further reports be brought to the Board for final approval as each proposal moves to implementation.

(b)  That, in the absence of additional BSF funding, option B above be adopted and that further reports be brought to the Board for final approval as each proposal moves to implementation.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this decision).