Issue - meetings

1.  That, in accordance with statutory guidance, the outcomes of Informal Consultation and Formal Consultation (Representation) on the proposed merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School be formally noted.

2. That the discontinuance of Springdale Infant School be approved with effect from 31 December 2017 in accordance with Section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to facilitate the merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School with effect from 1 January 2018; and

3. That both the lowering of the age range from 7 to 11 years to 3 to 11 years and the enlargement of the school premises of Springdale Junior School (to include the physical capacity of Springdale Infant School’s buildings) be approved in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to facilitate the merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School with effect from 1 January 2018.

1.    That it be noted that the recommendations detailed in 2 and 3 are related proposals which are interdependent and cannot be considered in isolation of one another.

Councillor Claire Darke presented the Merger of Springdale Infant School and Springdale Junior School report for approval. The report detailed the outcomes of Informal Consultation and Formal Consultation and sought approval to merge the two schools to create a primary school to cater for pupils aged between 3 and 11 years with effect from 1 January 2018.

Resolved:

1.  That, in accordance with statutory guidance, the outcomes of Informal Consultation and Formal Consultation (Representation) on the proposed merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School be formally noted.

2. That the discontinuance of Springdale Infant School be approved with effect from 31 December 2017 in accordance with Section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to facilitate the merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School with effect from 1 January 2018; and

3. That both the lowering of the age range from 7 to 11 years to 3 to 11 years and the enlargement of the school premises of Springdale Junior School (to include the physical capacity of Springdale Infant School’s buildings) be approved in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 to facilitate the merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School with effect from 1 January 2018.

That it be noted that the recommendations detailed in 2 and 3 were related proposals which were interdependent and cannot be considered in isolation of one another.

[Bill Hague, Head of School Planning and Resources, to present report on the proposed school merger for pre-decision scrutiny prior to the report being considered by Cabinet]

A report was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny regarding the change in circumstances at infant and junior school.

The report detailed the outcomes of Informal Consultation and Formal Consultation (Representation) on the proposed merger of Springdale Infant School with Springdale Junior School.  The paper would seek Cabinet approval to merge the two schools to create a primary school to cater for pupils aged between 3 and 11 years with effect from 1 January 2018.

It was confirmed that the Head teacher from the infants’ school was no longer in place so the Head teacher from the Junior School was already running both.

Resolved:     

That Cabinet be informed that Scrutiny Panel supports the recommendations listed in the report.