The Cabinet Member is asked to agree to the proposal to discontinue Furness School, Hextable, Kent, with effect from 31 August 2015
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Swanley;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 11/03/2015
Contact: Kevin Shovelton, Director Education Planning & Access 03000 414302 Email: kevin.shovelton@kent.gov.uk, Ian Watts, Assistant Director Education, North Email: ian.watts@kent.gov.uk Tel: 03000 414302.
Consultation process
Financial Implications:
Financial Implications will be outlined in the report to Education and Young People's Services Cabinet Committee on 15 April 2015.
Legal Implications:
When deciding a proposal for the closure of a rural primary school,
the decision maker must refer to the Designation of Rural Primary
Schools (England) Order to confirm the school is a rural
school.
Under section 15(4) of the EIA 2006 when formulating a proposal the proposer must consider: the likely effect of the closure of the school on the local community; educational standards at the school and the likely effect on standards at neighbouring schools; the availability, and likely cost to the LA, of transport to other schools; any increase in the use of transport.
Proposals for closure of a school must contain the information specified in Schedule 2 of The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013. Proposers must also follow the five stage statutory process for closing a school.
All determinations on school closure proposals must be based on the factors outlined in the Decision Makers Guidance (at Annex B) of the Department for Education School Organisation maintained schools January 2014.
Any implications will be identified in the report to the Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform
Equality Implications:
An Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form has
been completed as part of the proposal and can be accessed from
www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations
Consultees
The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee will discuss the proposed decision on 15 April 2015.
The Electoral Division affected is the Swanley Division and the Local Member; Mr Robert Brookbank will be consulted.
This proposal is linked to and contingent upon the proposal to create a Specialist Resource Based Provision at Hugh Christie Technology College, White Cottage Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN104PU to create a new Specialist Resource Base Provision (SRBP) within the school for up to 50 children with a statement of Special Educational Needs/Education, Health and Care Plan or equivalent for Autism (ASD) from 1 September 2015.
Financial implications: Ian Watts, Area Education Officer - North Kent 03000 414302, ian.watts@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 15/00021