Issue - meetings

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)          Approved the publication of a Statutory Notice proposing the amalgamation of Tennyson Road Infant School and Alfred Street Junior School in accordance with the provisions of Part 2 of the Education and Inspections Act2006;

ii)        Agreed to receive a further report following the formal consultation to enable a decision to be made on the amalgamation of theSchools

Reasons for Recommendations:

i)       To support children and young people and their families to accesshigh quality sustainable education that facilitates the achievement of best outcomes

ii)      To progress the amalgamation of the Schools in accordance with legislative requirements and Department for Education statutory guidance.

iii)     Based upon the financial position and school performance it is not a viable solution to take no action to progress the statutory process for theamalgamation

The Chair invited Cllr Dorothy Maxwell to address the Executive. Cllr Maxwell welcomed the report but queried which of the two schools would be closing as a result of the amalgamation, noting that whatever the eventual outcome the needs of the children involved was paramount.

The Chair then invited Cllr Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills to introduce a report the purpose of which was to inform Executive of the outcomes of the initial consultation process and to seek views on whether to proceed with amalgamation for Tennyson Road Infant School and Alfred Street Junior School as requested by the respective governing bodies

Cllr Edwards noted that no decision had been made as to which school would close, although a “technical closure” was required to enable the proposed amalgamation to go ahead. The consultation had seen overwhelming support for amalgamation, with a further round of consultation to be undertaken to inform the decision regarding which school should close

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)          Approved the publication of a Statutory Notice proposing the amalgamation of Tennyson Road Infant School and Alfred Street Junior School in accordance with the provisions of Part 2 of the Education and Inspections Act2006;

ii)        Agreed to receive a further report following the formal consultation to enable a decision to be made on the amalgamation of theSchools

Reasons for Recommendations:

i)       To support children and young people and their families to accesshigh quality sustainable education that facilitates the achievement of best outcomes

ii)      To progress the amalgamation of the Schools in accordance with legislative requirements and Department for Education statutory guidance.

iii)     Based upon the financial position and school performance it is not a viable solution to take no action to progress the statutory process for theamalgamation