Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal by Leigh Academies Trust to expand the age range of the Leigh University Technical College (UTC) to admit students from year 7.  Currently the UTC admits students from year 10. This report also requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposed change of age range and the expansion of Leigh University Technical College (UTC.) Mr Watts explained that Ministerial approval was also being pursued to proceed with this. Should this go ahead the Department for Education are willing to fund half the cost so that Kent County Council would only need to contribute £5m.

2) Mr Watts stated that this represented good value for money and would ensure the schools future viability.  

3) Mr Watts explained to members that a UTC is focused more on technical and vocational subjects.

4) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

5) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal to permanently expand Wilmington Academy from a PAN of 200 to 8FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Wilmington Academy from 7FE to 8FE. He confirmed that as an academy the school conducted its own consultation. He explained to members that since publication of the agenda comment from local Councillor Ann Allen had been received, which were read out during discussion on item B1.

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services informing the Cabinet Committee of the proposal to permanently expand Wilmington Girls Grammar School from 4FE to 5FE and requests members to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform agrees to release sufficient funding to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

1) Ian Watts, Area Education Officer (North Kent,) introduced the report on the proposal to expand Wilmington Girls Grammar School from 4FE to 5FE. He confirmed that as an academy the school conducted its own consultation. He explained to members that since publication of the agenda comment from local Councillor Ann Allen had been received (which was relevant to both items B1 and B2) and read it out the Committee. Councillor Allen’s comment was as follows:

“Whilst I wish to support both these excellent schools and welcome the opportunity to provide extra school places it is vitally important that the 3 senior schools work and cooperate to submit school travel plans    Wilmington is a village with only 1 access road   and we have now quite frankly a quart in a pint pot situation every weekday during term time as there are, as you know, 5 schools in the village 4 of which are all in close proximity.    Child safety is paramount and the impact on the residents and the whole community has to be prime consideration.      Please keep me fully appraised.   

Kind regards             

Ann Allen member for Wilmington”

2) The Chairman confirmed from the report that the Headteacher, Chair of Governors and the Area Education Officer all supported the proposal. It was also confirmed an Equality Impact Assessment was completed and no changes were required.

3) RESOLVED that the Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee agreed the recommendation.