Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2007 were agreed as a true record.

( Report by Director (Operations))

(1)     This report sought the views of the School Organisation Advisory Board on the Governing Body’s proposal to seek Foundation status.  Members’ views would advise the Cabinet Member for Education and School Improvement when he formally responded, on behalf of the County Council, to the school’s consultation process.

(2)     Ms Lay gave a short presentation to the Board regarding the proposal, stating that the main issues surrounding the proposal related to admissions, school premises and personnel at the school.  Ms Lay highlighted how the Board were being asked to formulate a view that the Cabinet Member should take in response to the consultation on the proposal that the school move from a Voluntary Controlled status to Foundation status.

(3)     Mr Burgess asked what the reservations of the Cluster Board were as outlined in the report, and Ms Lay answered the question stating that their concern had been related to the fact that when admission patterns are changed, as with this proposal, it can have a domino effect upon surrounding schools, and affect their admissions policies.

(4)     In response to a question raised by Mr Burgess regarding admissions criteria, Dr Craig stated that the ‘ease of access’ criterion had been removed after an observation made by the Ombudsman had suggested this may prove confusing to parents.  The County admissions system now in place was that of a clear proximity rule. Dr Craig went on to explain that St John’s previous ‘figure of eight’ catchment area did create some admissions issues, and KCC representatives had discussed this with the Governing Body of St. Johns’ School.  The result of the discussion had been that the local authority had proposed that instead of the school being the ‘node’ point for a catchment area as would usually happen, it had been suggested that a ‘node’ point exists between the two sites in order to incorporate a wider and fairer catchment area that would not exclude pupils who had attended the infants school site.  Dr Craig stated that this was a compromise on the school’s current proposal and would remain the local authority’s preferred option regardless of the outcome of the consultation, and it would be for the school to decide as to whether or not they would adopt it.

(5)     Mrs Angell asked what was happening with the ‘old’ infant school buildings.  Ms Lay stated that these school buildings are now housing  a privately run nursery school.  Secondly, Mrs Angell asked what effect this proposal will have on surrounding schools’ admission numbers, to which Ms Lay responded stating that St. Lukes Primary School in the surrounding area is closing in August 2007, and that the Headteacher of St. John’s is currently managing this closure. St. Augustines and St. Matthews Primary Schools are full for this September so the effect on surrounding schools should be minimal. Mrs Angell asked if the school had a transport plan, to which Dr. Craig responded that he was certain one was in place, and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

          (Report by Director (Operations))

(1) This report sought the views of the School Organisation Advisory Board on whether to go to public consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Ellington School for Girls and The Hereson School, Ramsgate with effect from 1 September 2008.

(2)     Mr Doole introduced the proposal outlined in the report, highlighting how it aimed to maintain good schools in Ramsgate against the pressures of falling school rolls in the catchment area, with surplus places at the two schools due to increase.  Mr Doole stated that the proposal aimed to keep the strengths of both schools, raising standards and maintaining them.  He also stated how the new school site for Ellington Girls School at Pysons Road in the town was a dramatic improvement on their old site.

(3)     Mr Doole continued, stating that the proposed amalgamation would be a phased transition over a two year period, with those studying for their GCSEs at the Hereson School at the time of amalgamation remaining at the Hereson site to minimise disruption to their studies.  He understood that the proposal was a sensitive one as people felt strongly about maintaining the single sex provision available currently.  Mr Doole stated that the schools would be able to decide for themselves the organisation of the new school should the proposal go ahead, so would not necessarily mean the end of single sex provision.

(4)     Mrs Green, local member stated that this proposal represented a loss of diversity of education and choice in Thanet.  The new Ellington School site at Pysons Road had initially been proposed as a new site for Clarendon Girls Grammar School and Ellington School for Girls.  This amended proposal has left many parents of girls at the Ellington School feeling bemused and unhappy.  Mrs Green felt that this proposal had been designed to fail, as with the new Marlowe Academy very close by, this will be seen as a school of last choice, should the proposal go ahead.  She added that the overall picture of secondary schools in Ramsgate needed to be looked at in detail, and therefore this proposal was far too premature.

(5)     Mrs Green asked what provisions would be made were the boys from the Hereson School to move onto the new Ellington site to accompany the girls, and also asked what would happen to the Heads of the two schools, as with her understanding it was the case that the amalgamated school would only need one Head.  Mr Doole answered the questions Mrs Green had posed; firstly stating that he was aware that both Heads were in support of the proposal, but that the Amalgamated school would indeed only need one headteacher.  The physical provision for boys on the new site would take one year to be provided and works completed.

(6)     Mr Doole agreed that the overall picture of secondary schooling in Ramsgate did need looking at, especially at why pupils migrate to schools in Broadstairs.  He added that school provision would be looked at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.