ITEM EX12 - ANNEXEXECUTIVE – 6 FEBRUARY 2001Amalgamation of Longfields Nursery and Primary Schools
Notes taken at the meeting held on 16 January, at 7.00 p.m. to discuss the proposed amalgamation of Longfields Primary and Longfields Nursery Schools.Present: Sue Barber -
Parent Apologies: Alistair Waugh Parent Governor Mr. Hooper welcomed everyone and introduced Rick Harmes Principal Education Officer for Lifelong Learning and Kevin Peverill Chair of Governors.
Rick Harmes gave a brief introduction and referred to the history of ten years ago when another nursery in Bicester had decided to amalgamate. At that time a meeting to consider a similar proposal had been held at Longfields. However, it had been decided to leave the situation there as it was.
A short paper outlining the current proposals had been made available at the school. The purpose of this meeting was to consider the issues set out in the paper. The meeting was the start of a formal legal process.
The day-to-day operation of the Nursery would not change as a result of the amalgamation and the admissions policy would remain the same whether it was a nursery school or a nursery class. There would be a change in the legal position of the Governors. The Longfields Schools had already combined their two governing bodies.
Different financial arrangements would apply. At present all the costs of the nursery school were met by the County Council direct, but in future the school’s budget would be worked out by a formula and delegated to the school governors.
The legal process would involve publishing a proposal for the closure of the nursery school and for extending the age range of the primary school. Objections would have to be made within two months. If there were no obstacles, the process should be completed in good time for the amalgamation to take effect in September 2002.
QuestionsMr. Seal – parent. Would there be pressure on primary school’s budget to subsidize the nursery? Rick Harmes - The school would be expected to manage the budget of the nursery class in the same way that it manages the budget of the primary school now, ensuring that funds are used to best effect to meet the needs of pupils. Mrs. Barber – parent. Would we keep a sub committee of the governing body for the nursery? Rick Harmes - Most definitely. Liz Van Santen felt this should be a Foundation Stage Sub-committee as the Foundation Stage covered both nursery and reception. Mr. Sawyer – governor. How would the financial handover take place as it would be 5 months into the financial year? Rick Harmes - Obviously in the first year the sum to be delegated to the governors for the nursery class would be a percentage of the full year’s costs and this would be worked out by the County. Kim Broadhead – Nursery Governor. Would the nursery education for children be safe? Rick Harmes - Most definitely! The foundation Stage is becoming much more important, which means the nursery working more closely with school. Mr. Watson – parent/governor. Has any proposal of this kind ever been turned down? Rick Harmes – No. No proposal of this kind has ever been turned down by the County Council. The County Council tends to be supportive of such proposals. Mr Seal – parent. Why are Rising Fives in the nursery only having half time provision this term? Mrs. Jones – Previously the nursery had had spare places and therefore the R5’s had been given the option of attending full time. However, numbers in the nursery were now high again and the option of attending full time could not be offered to children for the time being. Those present at the meeting all expressed their support for the amalgamation of the two schools. Mr Peverill the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and said we should now await the outcome of the next stage in the process. Return to TOP
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