Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Public Health & Education

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/077

Contact: Barbara Chillman, Service Manager – Pupil Place Planning, Tel: (01865) 323804/Sandra Higgs, Schools Service Manager Tel: 07917 087603

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA6).

The County Council is seeking Cabinet approval to consult on the future of Northfield Special School, pending the outcome of the Council’s Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Review.  The consultation will seek views on the future of the school based on two options, prior to any decisions being taken. In summary, the options will be to (Option A) close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review or (Option B) to continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to support a public consultation on the following two options:

(a)          Close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review

(b)          Continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

Recommendations agreed (by 6 votes for with 1 abstension).

Cabinet considered a report that sought their approval to consult on the future of Northfield Special School, pending the outcome of the Council’s Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) Review.  The consultation would seek views on the future of the school based on two options, prior to any decisions being taken. In summary, the options will be to (Option A) close the Northfield School, placing current students in alternate and more suitable provision, pending the outcome of the SEND Review or (Option B) to continue to operate Northfield School as is, pending the outcome of the SEND Review.

Michelle Codrington-Rogers, Oxfordshire Federation NASUWT, objected to the opening of consultation on closure. Ms Codrington-Rogers stated that the school was more than just a building: staff were dedicated to giving their best and went above and beyond for students. Her main concern was where the children would go. Academies could not be forced to take children and this would mean they would be placed out of County. She referred to new schools being built around the County that were finding it difficult to find pupils and the money could go to supporting the pupils at Northfield School. Representations about the state of the building had been made for a long time and it seemed that finally these were being listened to. There had been a lack of strategic oversight and it was time to find a solution. Ms Codrington-Rogers welcomed the SEND Review and highlighted the impact on support of previous budget cuts. Although she was glad that there were to be no further cuts she stressed that it was time to re-invest. Her members felt betrayed by what had happened.

Diane Wilson, Oxfordshire District Secretary, National Education Union (ATL section), was concerned about the impact on students, staff and other schools were Northfield School to close. Students needed stability or it would add to their anxiety. There were transport and establishment implications of moving staff with the risk of losing experienced staff. Transfer of 70 pupils to other schools would have a considerable impact on surrounding schools and she queried what analysis of that impact had been carried out. Ms Wilson queried how schools would be equipped to support the pupils and questioned what financial and strategic plan was in place. Ms Wilson asked how the school and pupils had benefitted from the hostel closure. She further queried the motive behind the proposal which she felt was about money rather than the needs of the pupils. She felt that there was a future for the school on a new site if necessary and certainly in new buildings.

Stuart Robinson, Assistant Secretary Oxfordshire National Education Union (NUT Section), spoke against the proposed consultation suggesting that a further option was needed. The Council could provide a new school and he queried why no option had been included to rebuild the school. The option to close the school was premature before the SEND Review and seemed long term rather than short or medium term to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55