Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That Councillor David Renard be chair for this meeting of the Panel.

Councillor Renard took the chair.

Introduction

The Chair explained that this was not a meeting of the Cabinet and referred to the distinct role played by the Cabinet Panel. He made it clear that the Cabinet Panel had no pre-determined view on the items under consideration and would make its decisions on the evidence before it and on the questions and comments arising at the meeting.

            The Chair referred to the process to be adopted at the meeting.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th June 2016.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th June 2016 be confirmed as a correct record.

Mrs Pauline Webster, on behalf of little Scholars Nursery, and Mr Jim Webster had submitted written questions regarding the proposal to lower the age range at Abbey Meads Primary School from 4 to 11 years to 2 to 11 years in order to create a maintained nursery from September 2017. Written responses had been prepared and these were tabled at the meeting and made available to Mr and Mrs Webster.

Both Mr Webster and Mrs Webster asked supplementary questions, also relating to the proposals, which the Leader of the Council answered at the meeting.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to lowering the age range at Abbey Meads Primary School from 4 to 11 years to 2 to 11 years in order to create a maintained nursery from September 2017. The report set out the results of the consultation process held in early 2017 on the proposal to lower the age range and captured the responses received by the local community.

It was noted that that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to notify the Department of Education of change in age range at Abbey Meads Primary School.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, referring to the positive response to the consultation undertaken in respect of the proposal, with 85 of the 89 responses agreeing with the proposals, and also advised of the receipt of a letter from the Governing Body also expressing support for the proposal.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·         has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers and by Mrs Pauline Webster and Mr Jim Webster, on behalf of little Scholars Nursery.

·         is satisfied that:

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)        lower the age range of Abbey Meads Community Primary School to include 2, 3 and 4 year olds to create a maintained nursery from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believed that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Abbey Meads Community Primary School is rated good by Ofsted.

The proposal to lower the age range at Abbey Meads Primary School would also respond to the Childcare Act 2016, which places a duty on LAs to secure 30 hours of free childcare for working families with 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

In addition, the Cabinet Panel noted that Ofsted recognises that educational outcomes are improved by having a qualified early year’s teacher in the provision. This proposal would offer families in North Swindon the opportunity to attend a maintained early years setting, open with flexible hours

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that Abbey Meads Community Primary School was very popular with parents and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to increasing the published admission number (PAN) that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) at Brimble Hill Primary Special School from 70 to 77.

It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to create additional provision that is reserved for pupils with SEND by increasing the PAN to provide support for children from 5-11 years with Complex Learning Difficulties.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, drawing the panel’s attention, in particular, to the consultation results, all of which responses fully supported the proposal.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·                     has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·                     is satisfied that

·                     has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)            increase the published admission number (PAN) at Brimble Hill Primary Special School from 70 to 77 from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believes that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Brimble Hill Primary Special School is rated good by Ofsted.

The proposal is to increase the PAN Brimble Hill Primary Special School due to an identified requirement for an additional 7 pupils on role at Brimble Hill Primary Special School.  This will enable the school to take an additional 7 pupils, taking the PAN to a maximum of 84 pupils under the 10% increase limit. 

However, the Cabinet Panel noted that Brimble Hill Primary Special School is a Local Authority maintained special school; therefore, the proposal is not consistent with the Government’s policy on Academies.

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that Brimble Hill Primary Special School is very popular with parents and it is currently operating at full capacity, with a waiting list.  Brimble Hill Primary Special School recognises the important role that parents play in the life of the school, and their preference for their children to attend this school.

The Panel was also aware that in common with many Local Authorities, Swindon has seen a large increase in the number of children with Statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN). These children would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to lowering the age provision that is recognised by the Local Authority as reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) at The Special Resource Provision (SRP) at Eldene Nursery and Primary School from 7-11year olds to 6-10 year olds.

It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to create additional provision that is reserved for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability, (SEND) by an lowering the age range to provide support for children between 6-10 years with Complex Learning Difficulties.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, advising that of 62 responses to the consultation, 61 were in support of the proposal. Councillor Foley also referred the Panel to paragraph 3.19 of the report, and the specific intent of the proposal to enable earlier intervention in a children’s school life and facilitate reintegration into mainstream education.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·         has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·         is satisfied that

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)        lower the age range of Special Resource Provision (SRP) at Eldene Nursery and Primary School from 7-11 to 6 to 10 from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believed that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Eldene Nursery and Primary School is rated good by Ofsted as a ‘Good school with outstanding features’.

In addition, the Cabinet Panel also believes that the proposal will enable children after a period of time in the SRP to be reintegrated back into a mainstream primary, and they could go on to attend a mainstream secondary for KS3 rather than a secondary aged special school.

The Cabinet Panel is aware that the SRP at Eldene Nursery and Primary School is Local Authority maintained, therefore, the proposal is not consistent with the Government’s policy on Academies.

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that the SRP at Eldene Nursery and Primary School is very popular with parents and is operating at full capacity. Further, the Panel recognises the important role that parents play  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to lowering the age range at Even Swindon Primary School from 4 to 11 years to 2 to 11 years in order to create a maintained nursery from September 2017.  The report set out the results of the consultation process held in early 2017 on the proposal to lower the age range details the consultation undertaken.

It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to notify the Department of Education of change in age range at Even Swindon Primary School.

Councillor Foley introduced the report. She advised that this was a retrospective application, to rationalise an arrangement that had been operating successfully for a period of time.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·         has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·         is satisfied that

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)        lower the age range of Even Swindon Primary School to include 2, 3 and 4 year olds to create a maintained nursery from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believed that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Even Swindon Primary School was rated by in November 2014 by Ofsted as a good school.

The proposal to lower the age range at Even Swindon Primary School would also respond to the Childcare Act 2016, which places a duty on LAs to secure 30 hours of free childcare for working families with 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

In addition, the Cabinet Panel noted that Ofsted recognises that educational outcomes are improved by having a qualified early year’s teacher in the provision. This proposal would offer families in North Swindon the opportunity to attend a maintained early years setting, open with flexible hours

The Cabinet Panel is aware that Even Swindon Primary School is Local Authority maintained, therefore, the proposal is not consistent with the Government’s policy on Academies.

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that Even Swindon Primary School is very popular with parents and is operating close to full capacity. Even Swindon Primary School recognises the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to lowering the age range at Lawn Primary School from 4 to 11 years to 2 to 11 years in order to create a maintained nursery from September 2017. The report sets out the results of the consultation process held in early 2017 on the proposal to lower the age range and captures the responses received by the local community.

It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to notify the Department of Education of change in age range at Lawn Primary School.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, summarising the background to the proposal and also explaining to the Panel the detail of the limited response to the consultation on the proposal.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·         has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·         is satisfied that

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)        lower the age range of Lawn Primary School to include 2, 3 and 4 year olds to create a maintained nursery from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believed that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Lawn Primary School was rated by in April 2016 by Ofsted as a good school.

The proposal to lower the age range at Lawn Primary School would also respond to the Childcare Act 2016, which places a duty on LAs to secure 30 hours of free childcare for working families with 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

The Cabinet Panel is aware that Lawn Primary School is Local Authority maintained, therefore, the proposal is not consistent with the Government’s policy on Academies.

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that Lawn Primary School is very popular with parents and is operating close to full capacity. Lawn Primary School recognises the important role that parents play in the life of the school, and their preference for their children to attend this school.

The Cabinet Panel noted that there is a shortfall of early years’ places in north Swindon. With the introduction of 30 hours’ free childcare there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and the Head of Education, submitted a joint report seeking the Cabinet Panel’s agreement to lowering the age range at Chiseldon Primary School from 4 to 11 years to 2 to 11 years in order to create a maintained nursery from September 2017. The report sets out the results of the consultation process held in early 2017 on the proposal to lower the age range and captures the responses received by the local community.

It was noted that the report was necessary to enable the Local Authority to notify the Department of Education of change in age range at Chiseldon Primary School.

Councillor Foley introduced the report, summarising the results of the consultation and also the requirement for this matter to be a decision of the Cabinet Panel as a result of an amendment to the Department of Education’s statutory consultation, transferring that responsibility from the School Governing Body to the Local Authority.

In reaching its decision, the Cabinet Panel confirms that it -

·         has carefully considered the joint report and the representations made at the meeting by Council Officers.

·         is satisfied that

o   it has the necessary information in order to make the decision referred to above,

o   the Statutory Notice complied with the statutory requirements,

o   the statutory consultation was carried out properly prior to the publication of the Notice, and

o   the Notice did not relate to any other published proposal.

·         has carefully considered the factors to be considered by the decision makers, as set out in the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in April 2016, “Making ‘prescribed alterations’ to maintained schools”.

The Cabinet Panel’s decision is to approve the proposals as set out in the statutory notice to:

1)        lower the age range of Chiseldon Primary School to include 2, 3 and 4 year olds to create a maintained nursery from September 2017.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Education standards and diversity of provision

The Cabinet Panel believed that the Local Authority was responding to the Government’s wish to see a dynamic system in which the best schools are able to expand and spread their ethos and success. Chiseldon Primary Schoolwas rated good by Ofsted in November 2014.

The proposal to lower the age range at Chiseldon Primary School would also respond to the Childcare Act 2016, which places a duty on LAs to secure 30 hours of free childcare for working families with 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

In addition, the Cabinet Panel noted that Ofsted recognises that educational outcomes are improved by having a qualified early year’s teacher in the provision. This proposal would offer families in Chiseldon the opportunity to attend a maintained early years setting, open with flexible hours

Demand

The Cabinet Panel noted that Chiseldon Primary School is very popular with parents and it is operating close to full capacity. Chiseldon Primary School recognises the important role that parents play in the life  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.