Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Education

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/090

Contact: Diane Cameron, School Organisation Officer, Tel: (01865) 816445

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA7).

The proposal is to permanently increase the school admission number at Windmill Primary School from 60 to 90. This means that each year group would consist of up to 90 places, taught in three classes, making a maximum total of 630 pupils an increase from the current capacity of 510.

The school has admitted up to 90 children by local arrangement with Oxfordshire County Council for September 2011 and 2012, however this arrangement is not permanent. This proposal is to formally change the admission number to 90 on a permanent basis from September 2014. The school has a published admission number of 60 for September 2013 but will admit up to 90 children should this proposal be approved.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Windmill Primary School, Oxford.

Cabinet considered a proposal to permanently increase the school admission number at Windmill Primary School from 60 to 90.

Ms Mayte Siswick, Chair of Governors for Windmill School, expressed regret that the Council had not put contingency plans in place earlier to deal with the increase in pupil numbers. Ms Siswick expressed concerns about traffic problems and asked that a full traffic survey be undertaken. Referring to the traffic situation with the earlier middle school was not a fair comparison as middle school children were more likely to come on foot. With more women working, more people with cars and children being more likely to be dropped off by parents traffic had increased quite considerably. Ms Siswick was disappointed that the concerns expressed were being dismissed and hoped that the decision to proceed would only be made if money was put in for the transition. The Governors were willing to work with the Local Authority but would fight if it was not implemented satisfactorily.

Ms Andrea Bird, local resident referred to increasing traffic problems. Drivers were behaving increasingly aggressively. There was a national trend that fewer 5-11 year olds went to school on their own. The housing developments were relevant because they would exacerbate the traffic problems. The area also had a concentration of hospitals and employment sites making it unique in the level of traffic using residential roads. It was irresponsible to proceed without a traffic survey. The County of Oxfordshire had some issues over educational attainment and she felt that the expansion jeopardised a good school. She felt that there was no benefit to pupils being in a big school.

Natalie Poynter, local resident, spoke against the proposal  and stated that Windmill School was a successful 2 form entry school, where children knew each other. The proposal would create the first 3 form entry school in Oxford City and many local people did not want it. She referred to two new schools that were not 3 form entry and felt that with them there was now no critical need to expand Windmill School. She referred to possible problems in a larger school including small group work in corridors and children’s needs being overlooked. Responding to a request for clarification from Councillor Tilley Ms Poynter referred to the consultation figures set out in the report.

Councillor Roz Smith, as local Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors referred to the eloquence of the concerns expressed so far. She recognised the need to build to fulfil Oxfordshire priorities but stressed the importance that it be done properly. A large capital expense would be needed to provide adequate facilities including a suitable hall and kitchen. Going forward there would need to be consideration of secondary school provision. Traffic was a problem and she urged that the Council work closely with Governors.

Councillor Liz Brighouse, as Local Councillor reiterated that the transport issues were real and needed to be addressed. She had opposed previous development in the area because of the detrimental effect it would have. She recognised the need to look seriously at school capacity in the area and felt that there was almost certainly a need for an additional school in the Headington area. She felt that with this School neither the road nor the School could support enormous growth. However large primaries were able to do very well, with the larger budget that they received providing the opportunity for more staff and a wider curriculum including music or languages. She had no problems with this expansion as she had confidence in the Head Teacher, what ever the decision, to continue to provide an excellent school for the community.

Councillor Tilley in introducing the contents of the report acknowledged that the proposal was contentious. She had listened carefully to the comments today and could give an assurance that concerns over traffic issues would be considered seriously. She also supported comments about the need to ensure that the expansion was carried out properly. She recognised that the hall and kitchen were too small. She was aware that parents were upset but the alternative was to bus children around Oxford.

Councillor Rodney Rose, commented that he had not been aware that the problems here were worse than elsewhere in Oxford but he would be alive to the issues that the changes brought about.

Councillor Arash Fatemian supported the comments by Councillor Brighouse in relation to large schools feeling that they could do a very good job.

Barbara Chillman, advised the Cabinet that a traffic assessment would be a normal part of transport planning for the project. The proposed expansion was based on parents first preferences when applying for school places.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth congratulated the School and Head Teacher for being a first class school.

RESOLVED:                        to approve the publication of a statutory notice for the expansion of Windmill Primary School, Oxford.