Return
to Items for Decision
Return to Report
![](/SiteSpecific/logo.gif)
Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement 4 April
2007
Statement of Decision
Applications to Open New Nursery Classes In Burford
and Charlton-on-Otmoor Primary Schools
Present:
Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement: Councillor Michael Waine
|
Officers:
|
Kath Coldwell (Corporate Core)
Amanda Smith (Children, Young People & Families)
|
John Mitchell (Children, Young
People & Families)
Also in attendance:
|
|
Public Address:
|
Ms Ellie
Stacey (Headteacher – Burford Primary
School)
|
Documentation considered:
Report
|
Applications to Open New Nursery Classes In Burford
and Charlton-on-Otmoor Primary Schools
|
A copy is attached to the signed copy of this decision.
Addenda
Summary of representations
in person
Ms
Ellie Stacey, Headteacher of Burford Primary School, made the following
points:
- the
school was already providing good quality foundation stage education
in a difficult setting and the provision of a special unit would improve
this;
- the
school had been awarded £40,000 from the Foundation Stage Investment
Fund. Premises were currently being modernised and would be very suitable
for use as a foundation stage unit. There was space for extra classes
in the school;
- the
school had managed to clear its budget deficit and therefore would be
able to fund the teacher to run the unit, however, there were already
sufficient qualified teachers and teaching assistants in place;
- the
school had been in special measures for eighteen months but pupil numbers
had now improved and the school had been allocated nineteen children
for September 2007;
- there
was limited choice in Burford at present. The opening of the unit would
extend choice and they would offer wrap around care. The school would
be able to offer continuous provision from age three to age eleven,
which would mean that children would not need to spend any time in transition
getting used to a new setting.
Councillor Waine read out the statement which had been submitted by Ms Amy Nelson
(Chair – Burford Pre School) who had been unable to attend in person.
She had wished to state her opposition to the proposal, as in her view,
it would not provide children with the best care possible. She opposed
the take-up of three year olds as in her view, there were not enough children
in the Pre-School and this would result in its closure. She had also stated
that the Pre-School was aiming for a partnership with the Primary School.
In response to questions from Councillor Waine Ms Stacey stated that:
- Fifty-four
percent of the children had come from the Pre-school and therefore the
schools were not competing for the same children;
- A
partnership between the Pre-school and the Primary School currently
existed. For example, a group of Year Fives were hearing those children
read who would be starting in September and the Primary School had always
promoted the Pre-school to parents.
Cabinet Member’s Comments
I congratulate Ms Stacey, her staff and the Governing
Body on the real improvements that they have made to the school since
it was in special measures. Given the improvements to the premises it
would be remiss not to allow Burford Primary School to set up the unit
but I am concerned about the sustainability of the Pre-school Group and
therefore wish both schools to demonstrate their willingness to work co-operatively
in relation to provision for 3 and 4 year olds.
Decision
Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation
before me, the representations made to me and the further considerations
set out above, I confirm my decisions on this matter as follows:
to note the risk assessments for both projects and to support:
- the
publication of a statutory notice for opening a nursery class at Charlton-on-Otmoor
Primary School;
- the
publication of a statutory notice for opening a nursery class at Burford
Primary School on condition that the Burford Pre-School Group and Burford
Primary School both demonstrate their willingness to work co-operatively
in relation to provision for 3 and 4 year olds.
(Statement of Decision)
Signed
......................................................................
Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement
Date ………………………2007
Return to TOP
|