Agenda item

(report by Director - Operations)

(Mr T Gates was present for this item)

(1)     This report set out the results of the public consultation on the proposal to change Ethelbert Road Infant School, Faversham to an all-through primary school.  The report also sought the views of the Advisory Board on the issuing of a public notice to change the age range of the school.

(2)     Mrs Osborne said that the consultation exercise which had been undertaken demonstrated that there was strong support within the local community for the proposal to extend the age range taught at Ethelbert Road from Year R to Year 6 with the result the school would become an all through primary.  The proposal would mean that from September 2008 and in successive years, Year 2 children would stay on at the school instead of having to find alternative places elsewhere.  All children currently attending Ethelbert Road would be guaranteed places from Year 3 through to Year 6 and the new PAN of 15 would apply to entry to Year R from September 2008.  Currently, approximately 30 children enter at Year R and leave at the end of Year 2 and therefore the new arrangement would offer 15 pupils education across all primary key stages, Year R to Year 6.

(3)     Mr Gates, as the local Member said the public meeting which took place at the school showed through the quality of discussion and debate that there was strong support within the community for these proposals which he very much welcomed.  Providing an all through primary school solved the problem of transfer to another school at the end of Year 2 and was a common sense approach to addressing this issue.

(4)     In response to Members questions, Dr Craig said that the proposal was consistent with everything which the County Council had done in relation to the development and implementation of the Primary School Strategy. In looking at small schools, one of the guidelines which was used was to ask could a school justify four classes and did it have a hundred plus pupils.  If the proposal to make Ethelbert Road an all through primary school was approved, then those guidelines would clearly be met and the school would be able to support four classes.  Officers also responded to questions regarding travel to school patterns and the resource implications should for example Ethelbert School be closed and provision made for its pupils through expanding one of the other nearby primary schools.  Mrs Osborne said that as detailed in the report, these issues had been considered very carefully and the firm belief was that the retention of the school as a primary school would best serve local needs. 

(5)    Mrs Osborne also confirmed that Ethelbert Road would continue to use the playing fields at the Abbey School which was situated some 500 yards away.  The two schools were divided by a main road but that was crossed by way of a footbridge.  Mrs Osborne said she was also completely satisfied with the plans which had been made by the Headteacher and staff to deliver the wider curriculum which would come in as a result of having pupils at the school through to Year 6.  In addition, the Swale Cluster was very supportive of the proposals and could if needed, give any further curriculum and development support which may be required.  Also, the proposal would be phased and take four years to fully implement so there would be of more than sufficient time for the teaching staff to be fully prepared for teaching pupils through from Year R to Year 6.

(6)     Following discussion, the Advisory Board agreed unanimously to the proposal to change Ethelbert Road (Community) Infants School, Faversham to an all through primary school and to the issuing of a public notice to change the age range.  The Advisory Board also agreed that subject to approval of the proposal following the end of the objection period, the resources necessary to implement the scheme be provided on the basis identified in the report.