Issue - meetings

(Report by Director – Operations)

(1)       This report sought the views of the Advisory Board on the proposed relocation of The Foreland (Community Special) School in Broadstairs to be co-located with Hartsdown (Community) Technology College on the Hartsdown site in Margate.  In presenting this report, Mr Doole said that the Foreland School already had well established and thriving links with Hartsdown Technology College.  Both schools were in need of improved facilities and accommodation and co-location onto the existing Hartsdown Campus would deliver a cost effective solution with substantial learning benefits for all students.  The proposal was strongly supported by the Headteachers’ and Chairs of Governors of both schools who had been actively involved in formulating and developing the proposal.  Mr Doole said that as part of the consultations, Mr Hayton as one of the local County Members had objected to the proposal on the grounds that he was in principle against the co-location of mainstream and special schools.

(2)       Mr Burgess spoke as a local county Member and said that the new buildings would enhance the existing collaborative work whilst at the same time allowing the schools to remain separate, albeit on the same site.  Hartsdown had been steadily improving over recent years and progressing up the schools table and as it continued to grow it was providing excellent educational facilities and provision.  Mr Burgess saw this as an opportunity for both schools to do even better and he was therefore fully supportive of the proposals.

(3)       During the course of discussion, Members of the Advisory Board raised a number of issues to which officers responded.  Mr Doole emphasised that the schools would remain discrete with their own governing bodies and Headteacher and their co-location would simply enable them to share the use of improved and better resources and buildings.  Mr Doole also said that there would be provision for a small number of nursery places within the site and he believed those children attending the nursery would benefit by being close to a facility which was able to offer special provision.  He also said that The Foreland School was designated a district Special School and was therefore complementary to other local provision.

(4)       Following further discussion the Advisory Board AGREED that a public consultation exercise should be undertaken on the proposed relocation of The Foreland School from its existing site at Lanthorne Road, Broadstairs, to be co-located with Hartsdown Technology College on the Hartsdown Site, Margate.