Issue - meetings

Report ED130028

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report summarising the outcomes from consultations undertaken on the proposal to restructure Bromley Road Infant School from a three forms of entry Infant School to a one form of entry primary school from September 2014, and a proposal to restructure Worsley Bridge Junior School from a three forms of entry junior school to a two forms of entry primary school from September 2014.  Bromley Road Infant School and Worsley Bridge Junior School were currently ‘linked’ schools with automatic pupil transfer. 

The consultations for the proposed changes to school organisation had run from 11^th January to 15^th February 2013, and produced 46 Bromley Road responses and 23 Worsley Bridge responses which were largely supportive of the proposals.  The Governing Bodies and School Councils for both schools also supported the proposed changes to school organisation.

Councillor Michael Tickner, Ward Councillor for Copers Cope noted that there were a number of benefits to the proposed changes to school organisation including strengthened leadership and management across key stages, continuity of curriculum organisation and pupil assessment and consistent governance across both schools.  He was however concerned at the cost of adapting the schools to support the proposed changes to school organisation, and also noted that Bromley Road would be vulnerable to staffing changes as a one form of entry primary school. 

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Education underlined the present disruption to pupils in transferring between two schools sited three-quarters of a mile apart when moving into Key Stage 2, and confirmed that funding to adapt the schools would come from the suitability budget.  The Vice-Chairman noted that the response to the consultation had been largely supportive of the proposals and highlighted the educational benefits to children through the more diverse curriculum offer of a primary school. 

A Member was concerned at the sustainability of one form of entry primary schools, particularly under the new schools funding formula.  He also noted the difficulties in recruiting headteachers to lead smaller primary schools.  The Assistant Director: Education advised the Committee that the Schools’ Finance Team had undertaken a great deal of work on the financial position of Bromley Road Infant School as a one form of entry primary school over the next five years, and had confirmed that it would be viable.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note Members’ comments regarding the outcome of the consultations;

2)  Agree the proposed change of age range at Bromley Road Infant School and Worsley Bridge Junior School so that both schools become all-through Primary Schools with effect from 1^st September 2014; and,

3)  Authorise Officers to undertake the formal statutory processes for the restructuring of a school.