Issue - meetings

(Report by Director – Operations)

(1)       This report presented the results of the public consultation on the proposal to add a sixth form to The North School, Ashford.

(2)       Mr Adams said he believed that through extending the age range of the school, the quality of provision, for the 11-16 age group would improve.  Younger pupils would have on-site older students to act as role models, be able to access new curriculum pathways to keep them engaged in education and training beyond the age of 16 years and would also have on-site older students to act as role models.  The wide range of courses that the school would be able to offer would also enhance the learning experience of pupils and aid their future employment prospects.  Mr Adams said that one of the chief concerns which had been raised during the of the public consultation exercise, was around the number of car parking spaces available for sixth form students and the possibility of traffic problems due to an increase in the number of traffic movements within the vicinity of the school.  In order to address these concerns, a School Travel Plan would be developed and that would specifically look at the measures needed to address the post-16 parking issues.  There would also be a need to provide residents with information about the possible numbers of post-16 students who might be driving to and from the school and to provide information about the proportionate number of students who would be using cars.

(3)       Mrs Elizabeth Tweed attended the meeting and spoke as the Local Member.  She said that the case to establish sixth form provision at the school was well made and she was in full support of the proposal.  She said The North School would be disadvantaged if it was not able to offer a sixth form together with a wider range and mix of courses.  She said she understood the concerns which had been expressed by local residents about parking and possible congestion problems and said she welcomed the fact that these would be looked at as part of the development of a School Travel Plan.  She also said that she hoped measures would be taken in order to promote and encourage the use of public transport.

(4)       During the course of discussion, Members of the Advisory Board spoke in support of the proposal, but raised some concerns around car parking provision and the potential for traffic congestion in and around the school.  Members therefore asked officers to look at ways to reducing the traffic impact of the proposal and also to take appropriate measures to promote the greater use of public transport.  Subject to these views, the Advisory Board AGREED to the issuing of a public notice to add a sixth form to The North (Community) School, Ashford.

(Report by Director, Operations)

(Mr M Northey declared an interest in this item on the basis that his daughter was a pupil at the North School and therefore took no part in the discussion)

(1)       This report sought the views of the Advisory Board on the proposal to undertake a consultation to add a sixth form to the North (Community) School, Ashford.

(2)       Mrs E Tweed attended for this item and spoke as the Local County Member.  She said she fully supported the proposal as it would be a tragedy if this excellent school could not offer a sixth form.  She said the school had a designated Dyslexia Unit and a Learning Support Unit and it would be a lead school for both ASD and Dyslexia.  In addition, Ashford over the coming years was likely to see an increase in business re-locations and therefore it was important that local schools had the facility to offer increasing opportunities with the demand for sixth form places within the Ashford area being at least sustained, if not increased.

(3)       Following discussion, the Advisory Board AGREED to a public consultation being undertaken on the proposal to add a sixth form to the North School, Ashford.