Cabinet Member: Schools Improvement

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/104

Contact: Barbara Chillman, Principal Officer – School Organisation and Planning Tel: (01865) 816459

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families (CA 8).

The merger of Botley Primary School with Elms Road Nursery School and Children's Centre requires the formal closure of Elms Road Nursery School and an extension in age range of Botley Primary School. Cabinet agreed on the 21 December 2010 to the issuing of a linked formal statutory closure notice which was published on the 7 January 2011. The period in which representations could be made by interested parties closed on the 18 February and these are summarised in the report.  A formal decision by Cabinet to close Elms Road Nursery School and extend the age range at Botley Primary School will allow the merged school to start operating from 1 September 2011.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)               Consider the representations made in response to the statutory closure notice with particular reference to the issues detailed in paragraphs 12-23 and the Statutory Guidance; and

(b)              Approve the closure of Elms Road Nursery School with effect from midnight, 31 August 2011, AND the extension of age range at Botley Primary School with effect from 1 September 2011.

Cabinet considered a report setting out representations made by interested parties following the decision of Cabinet on the 21 December 2010 to the issuing of a linked formal statutory closure notice which was publishedon the 7 January 2011.

Councillor Janet Godden speaking as local Member expressed some dismay at the letters and emails on this subject some of which had been personal and queried information in the local parish magazine which she felt was misleading. She remained convinced that the merger was the best way forward but stressed that this in no way diminished the lifetime achievement of the head teacher of the nursery school.

Ms Brockliss, Headteacher of Elms Road Nursery School spoke against the proposed merger. She commented that the accountability issue remained undefined that the Nursery School was an outstanding school and it made no sense for it to join with a school that was satisfactory. The expertise of the school in early years would be diluted. She referred to her leadership roll in respect of the Children’s Centre. The parents fight for the school to remain open told its own story.

Ms Marsh, Headteacher of Botley Primary School spoke in support of the proposed merger. She had experienced first hand the limitations of joint working. She did not believe that it would lead to declining standards. There was an experienced team for early years and it was about a single accountability.

Responding to a question Ms Marsh indicated that she would be the Headteacher of the merged school but that the remaining structure would be decided by the Governing Body.

The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement indicated that no new information had come out of the formal consultation except a hardening of views. There had been a series of misleading statements/articles and he stressed that the closure of the Nursery School was a technical matter, taking out the name and official number but was in fact a merger not a closure. He feared that some of the responses received were based on the misapprehension that the school would close and nursery places would be lost. He thanked Ms Brockliss for her work. The leadership role in respect of the Children’s Centre was well made but the shape of provision in this area would be reviewed in next twelve months. He added that every Children’s Centre had its own manager and the role of the Headteacher was strategic.

The Leader indicated that Cabinet members had received and considered prior to the meeting information from Sue Dowe, Extended Services Co-ordinator Elms Road Children's Centre.

RESOLVED:-           That following consideration of the representations made in response to the statutory closure notice with particular reference to the issues detailed in paragraphs 12-23 and the Statutory Guidance to approve the closure of Elms Road Nursery School with effect from midnight, 31 August 2011, and the extension of age range at Botley Primary School with effect from 1 September 2011