Issue - meetings

(Report by Director, Operations)

(1)   This report sought the views of the Advisory Board on a proposal to undertake a public consultation on the closure of Linden Grove Primary School and Ashford Christchurch CE Maths and Computer Specialist College and their replacement as an all age Government funded Academy subject to Ministerial Approval.

(2)   Mr D Smyth was present for this item and spoke as the Local County Member.  He supported the proposal to go out to public consultation as detailed in the report and said because the buildings were in the main constructed during the early part of the 1990’s, they needed to be significantly updated.  He also said that in the report officers said they believed that standards would rise if the Academy proposals went ahead and therefore would be helpful to have some further detail in the next report which showed the success of academies in other areas.  He also said that it would be important to have community representatives appointed to the Trust Board from the existing Governing Bodies.  It would be helpful therefore if assurances could be given on that particular aspect when the next report was submitted to the Advisory Board.

(4)   During the course of discussion, Members raised a number of issues regarding the detail of the proposal to which officers appropriately responded.  Mr Poole questioned the general strategy for having all through schools and said his feeling was that this proposal was not a particularly good idea.  Mr Adams said the County Council’s policy as set out in the Primary Schools Strategy was all through schools would be developed “where appropriate”.

(5)   Following further discussion the Advisory Board AGREED that a public consultation be undertaken on the proposal for the closure of Linden Grove Primary School and Ashford Christchurch CE Maths and Computer College and their replacement with an all age Government funded Academy, subject to Ministerial Approval.