Agenda item

To consider a report by the Legal Advisor to the Board explaining the role of the Board in considering objections to these proposals and making recommendations to the Executive Board to assist the Executive Board in reaching a decision in relation to the proposal:

Statutory proposals to expand and change of age range for Carr Manor High School from 11 -18 to 4 -18, with a reception admission limit of 30, and use of land next to the school for the primary provision

(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:

Statutory proposals to expand and change of age range for Carr Manor High School from 11-18 to 4-18, with a reception admission limit of 30, and use of land next to the school for the primary provision.

It was reported that there were six representations received to the statutory notice; one in support, four objections which opposed the change and a petition with over 500 signatures, which requested road safety improvements in the area.

The Board considered the following background information:-

• Report of the School Organisation Team - 6^th July 2011 – Outcome of Statutory Notices for prescribed alterations to Carr Manor High School
• Documents submitted by Children’s Services in support of the proposals and copies of the responses received

In addition to the above, the Board received representations from Jane Smith and Deborah Rose on behalf of Carr Manor Primary School who were objecting to the proposals.

Board Members discussed the proposals, concentrating on the following issues:-

• The recent increase in the birth rate leading to an increase in existing provision
• Possible traffic and road safety issues as a consequence of the proposed expansion plans
• Leadership and management arrangements
• The Golden ticket issue i.e. a guaranteed place for Y6 pupils in high school phase of same school
• The responses outlined in the report

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;  Further/Higher Education Group and the Schools Group voted as follows:-

• Diocesan Board of Education for the Diocese of the Church of England stated that it was the intention of the Church of England group to object to the proposal on the grounds of quality and standards.  On principle they believed that good primary schools were usually better placed than secondary schools to provide quality primary education.  However, on the grounds that the governors of Carr Manor Primary School clearly do not want their very successful school to expand, they abstained from voting

• The Further/Higher Education Group voted in favour of the proposals because of the need for resources/provision in the area. The Group expressed concern about the admission figures and Free Schools.

Concern was also expressed regarding the quality of provision and it was recommended that the Governors of Carr Manor High School should consider engaging sufficient leadership capacity within the senior team to accept the offer of partnership working with Carr Manor Primary School

• The Schools Group voted in favour of the proposals because of the need for resources/provision in the area. The Group also accepted that there was no definitive alternative provision for Free Schools in the area and that the traffic and road safety issues were subject to planning approvals. The Group recommended the appointment of appropriate specialist leadership capacity for primary phase should be brought in to assist Carr Manor High School with their expansion plans

RESOLVED – It was the view of the School Organisation Advisory Board that the Executive Board be recommended to support the proposals.

(Clive Sedgewick left the meeting at 3.30pm at the conclusion of the above item)