BOROUGH OF POOLE

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

27 APRIL 2010

The Meeting commenced at 9:35am and adjourned at 6pm,reconvened on 10th May 2010 at 7:30pm and concluded at 10:57pm.

Present:

Councillor Mrs Evans (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Lavender (Vice-Chairman)

Councillors Brooke, Brown, Mrs Dion (substituting for Councillor Bulteel), Gregory (substituting for Councillor Montrose), Mrs Haines (substituting for Councillor Wilkins), Matthews and Mrs Moore

Diocesan Representative

Mr K Newman

Governor Representative

Mrs A Bicker

Also in attendance:

Councillors Adams, Ms Atkinson, Clements, Mrs Butt, Burden, Collier, Mason (from 11:20am) and Rampton

The three Petitioners to Council against the Council’s Proposals for Hillbourne School

Mrs J Carr, Mrs S Allan, Mrs G Calvey

Portfolio Holders (To give evidence after Lunch recess 27 April 2010)

Councillors Leverett, Portfolio Holder for Financial Strategy

Councillor White, Portfolio Holder for Delivering Major Projects (including Schools for the Future) and Transportation

Councillor Woodcock, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People

Officers

John McBride, Chief Executive

Anne Newton, Strategic Director (Children’s Services)

Andrew Flockhart, Strategic Director

Stuart Twiss, Head of Children and Young People’s Services, Strategy, Quality and Improvement

Vicky Wales, Head of Children’s Integrated Services

Nicola Keynes, Principal Officer, Children and Young People’s Services, Strategy, Quality and Improvement

Sara Island, Strategy Directorate

Ian Milner, Building Schools for the Future Programme Accountant, Financial Services

Liz Wilkinson, Head of Financial Services and Section 151 Officer

Tim Martin, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer

CYP54.10APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bulteel, Montrose and Wilkins and Mrs S Openshaw, Parent Governor Representative.

CYP55.10DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following Members declared personal interests in Agenda Item 3, “Primary Capital Programme”; Councillor Brooke, as his daughter was a part-time teacher at Hillbourne School, Councillor Mrs Lavender as a Governor of St Aldhelm’s and Heatherlands Schools, Councillor Mrs Moore as a Governor at Longspee School.

Mr Newman declared a personal interest as a Trustee of Queen Elizabeth School. Councillors Mrs Dion, Mrs Haines and all Members of the Liberal Democrat Group present at the Meeting declared personal interests as having been lobbied on behalf of Hillbourne School.

CYP56.10CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

The Chairman welcomed all present to the Meeting, asked the Committee to introduce themselves and outlined the procedure for the day, explaining that nationwide, Local Authorities had to deal with changes in the number of children requiring education, which meant having to provide more school places. At the Council Meeting on 6 April 2004, Councillors were asked to approve expenditure on providing new places at several First and Middle Schools across Poole. The Council did not have sufficient budgets for this and the Officer recommendation was to switch funds that were allocated, but not committed, to a new build scheme for Hillbourne School. Councillors felt they had not been given sufficient time to examine the proposals in depth and deferred the decision on this to a Special Meeting of Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee to look at the proposals and make recommendations to Council in May 2010.

The Chairman commented that the Committee would not be able to satisfy everyone, there would need to be some tough decisions but she felt that the decisions should be made in public and with a thorough examination of the facts.

She reminded members of the public that this was not a decision-making Committee and that the final decision would be taken by Full Council. Councillor Mrs Evans explained that the job of the Committee was to do the detailed work and to make a recommendation to Council. She reminded members of the public that this was a formal Committee Meeting, held in public, and not a public meeting and requested them to respect the process. The Committee concurred with the way the Chairman was proposing to conduct business.

It was also explained that all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny committee had been invited to attend a coach tour of the Schools on April 23 2010 in order to put the Schools and the campus provision/condition of eachschool in context.

CYP57.10PRESENTATION BY THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR (CHILDREN’S SERVICES)

Anne Newton, Strategic Director (Children’s Services) gave a detailed PowerPoint Presentation, which outlined the background to the current situation and detailed the following:

  • The Council’s strategic role and statutory duties for school organisation to secure sufficient places within its area.
  • How the Council had to meet its statutory duties
  • What would happen if the Council failed to meet its statutory duty
  • Influencing factors of the economy, baby boom, cultural trends, immigration, house prices, fertility and health.

This was placed in the setting of the national picture and explained the factors leading to rising pupil numbers, together with the hot spot distribution throughout the Borough of 0-4 year olds, resulting in the need for additional school places in Reception.

The Strategic Director (Children’s Services) then went on to explain the impact on Schools, the uncertainty of future Capital Funding Allocations and what funding there was available within the Primary Capital Programme,its purpose, and what it had to be spent on, together with current costings.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Newton for her Presentation.

CYP58.10PRESENTATION FROM THE SCHOOLS

The eleven Schools (St Aldhelm’s, Sylvan, Baden Powell, Courthill First, Lilliput, Talbot Combined, Heatherlands, Branksome Heath Middle, Longfleet, Longspee and Hillbourne) affected by the revised Primary Capital Programme, had been invited to address the Committee.

St Aldhelm’s

The Headteacher, Mr Neil Revell and the Reverend Bailey, Chair of Governors, addressed the Meeting, thanking the Committee for its chance to make a Presentation and explaining that this was nota case of“one school against another”, andthatthe most important thing was what was best for the children.

St Aldhelm’s was a Church of England First School, with a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 60. In 2009 this PAN had been increased to 90. The Governors had been against this proposal initially as there were implications for pupil entitlement and 30 extra places meant it would be more difficult for those within the catchment area to gain places at the School.

Following consultation with the Strategic Director (Children’s Services) and a meeting with the Director of Diocesan Education and the Local Authority, the School accepted a raised Published Admission Number in principle, subject to more funding being available and the schools working in partnership with the Local Authority and Diocese and with the Governing Body being involved in the planning of the initial places at every stage. The School was working with the original Architect of the School, to deliver good design to provide a classroom to provide additional places within the LEA catchment area. The School was aware of the situation and was seeking to provide the best for 108 children, seeing this as a positive way to serve the School community.

Councillor Mrs Dion queried whether the school had received quotes for the work and the Chair of Governors explained that they were working with the Diocese but this was “on hold” until the School knew the outcome of this scrutiny of the Primary Capital Programme. The Director of Education of the Diocese, Mr Chris Shepherd, had persuaded St Aldhelm’s to accept the Local Authority case for an increase in its PAN and the School had not explored beyond that.

Councillor Brooke queried why the school was planning for 3 classrooms only? This would provide for an essential need and not any further extra places. The Chair of Governors responded, explaining this was the case and it was providing for the catchment area only. Councillor Brooke queried, with 3 classrooms down as temporary bases, could they be used permanently? The Chair of Governors explained that the Governors had agreed to a 3 year temporary increase in its PAN and that any longer term situation, due to extended need, would be addressed in the long term. The 3 year temporary increase in numbers had been accepted, there would be concerns over any funding commitment in the longer term.

Councillor Brooke stated that the Strategic Director (Children’s Services) had advised Members that all classrooms built as part of the Primary Capital Programme had to be permanent, not temporary.

The Chairman thanked the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors for their attendance and Presentation.

Sylvan School

Chris Price, the Chair of Governors, apologised for the absence of the Headteacher, Sarah Leewho was unable to attend this Meeting due to attendance at a funeral.

The impact on the School of additional numbers was outlined and it was explained that the School was aware from 2013, within the Primary Capital Programme proposals to accommodate changeswerein the preparation and consultative stages. The Governors had been consulted and a feasibility study had been undertaken by Consultants Atkins. The School was keen to work with the Local Authority and had consulted its stakeholders in order to find additional places. 90 places were recommended for 2010 and priority was to be given to ensure a high quality learning experience for all children. The impact of two additional classes for Reception at Sylvan was huge; 60 more children all starting school in September 2011, along with ITS original PAN of 90 meant 150 four year olds with all their individual needs. The Committee was advised that the current pupils had to be accommodated whilst building work was undertaken. Any decision to be made by the Local Authority needed to be expedient as in order to make a positive impact, work had to be completed by 1st September 2011.

Councillor Mrs Moore queried that if the three forms of entry were increasing to five, and five forms of entry were reduced to four, in 2013 when Year 3 would be lost, whether it would be possible to provide temporary accommodation for five forms of entry? Chris Price explained it was not obvious and there was a proposal to put two temporary buildings linked into the school. Councillor Mrs Moore queried whether this was a permanent/temporary build? She appreciated that building work was difficult for the School.

Baden Powell and St Peter’s Church of England, Voluntary Controlled Middle School – Headteacher, Mr Geoff Pike

Mr Pike was also assisting as Headteacher at Talbot Combined School and would present on behalf of both schools.

Mr Pike explained that Baden Powell and St Peter’s School had 610 children. Six form of entry would bring the roll up to 750, making it a very large school, with a large number of pupils on the roll than some Poole Secondary Schools. Mr Pike explained it was an oversubscribed school. Currently there were 20 in-catchment places over and 20 out of catchment area oversubscribed. The Governing Body was concerned. The School accepted that it had to increase its size to accommodate the increase in pupils the capacity of the school buildings would have to be increased. The School recognised the need in the Borough for more places and wished to move forward to prioritise the accommodation of children in the School’s catchment areas. He outlined the advantages of this:

  • Strength in numbers
  • Helped if it was a large school from the management costs point of view
  • The building needs repair – the flat roof especially
  • The Hall only accommodated 380 pupils – not all pupils and a new Hall was needed
  • No Dining Hall
  • Timetable was easier to manage
  • Losing Year 7 would be a major factor in easing the transition to a Junior School in 2013
  • The hot meal facility/Refectory would increase, which would mean that children that brought sandwiches in could also eat in the Dining Hall would develop a better sense of community

Mr Pike then outlined the disadvantages of increasing the School size:

  • Difficult parking
  • Staggered playtimes and lunches

Talbot Combined School

Mr Pike explained that along with his colleague Jan he had been supporting the School this year as the Headteacher, Duncan Johnson, was on long term sick leave. This was a school in Special Needs and it was planned for 3 form entry and did not have enough pupils for 2 extra forms of entry. There was a decline in standards which the Ofsted Report had outlined. Looking at the statistics, he explained there were no difficulties for this School to increase its Published Admission Number and add one form of entry from September 2011 as, in 2013 the School was to become a Primary School and would no longer have Year 7. Minor works were needed to reinstate classrooms and to create 3 Year groupings of 3 classes per Year Group. This was a large building on a large site. The slight changes recommended by the Ofsted Inspection improved the learning environment in the Early Years Foundation Stage and could be undertaken easily. It had been a school of over 600 pupils, now there were 342.

Councillor Gregory queried whether the fact that Talbot Combined School was a two storey building was an advantage or disadvantage?

Mr Pike responded, explaining that with two storeys there was no negative impact, there was a lift to carry large items to the second storey, there was no particular downside. Councillor Mrs Lavender confirmed there was no difficulty for pupils to access the second storey.

The Chairman thanked Mr Pike for his Presentations.

Longfleet

Jacquie Good, Headteacher, explained that since 1996 there had been two forms of entry. Year 7 would leave the school in 2013. There were two adjacent classes per year per Group, which she hoped could be maintained. The best way this could be done, without using corridor space, was to use the ICT workroom as this specialist facility would not be required once Year 7 no longer needed to be accommodated. The Hall was overused, it was a struggle for it to be used for a collective area of worship and it was used for hot school meals in 3 sittings. The School was sited close to the boundary with residents and it was not possible to have 3 forms of entry permanently as the School required extension. There was a 3 form of entry proposed temporarily for 3 years. The Governors had agreed to this, with temporary mobile units, whilst the School currently had a year 7, plans had not been drawn up for internal arrangements.

There was a parking problem and an increase in numbers at the School may impact on the opportunity to look at the building and to make best use of it. Borough of Poole capital funding was being used to extend the Hall and move the toilets as currently there were only two toilets for 55 staff. Any delay in the allocation of the Primary Capital Programme would make it difficult to undertake the work in the Summer holidays and she advised the Committee that the School was not within its own catchment area.

The Chairman thanked the Headteacher and Governor for their Presentation.

Courthill First School

The Headteacher, Mrs Jane Davies, and the Chair of Governors, Ann Harmsworth, attended the Meeting and thanked the Committee for an opportunity to present their proposals. Mrs Davies reinforced the fact that she was not here to compete with other schools for funding but to help secure extra places across the Borough. She explained that Courthill First School had not been consulted by the Borough to provide additional places and felt it had been overlooked as the site was not considered suitable for further development. She noted that the School was thought too small for its current roleand the addition of other pupils would exacerbate the situation. She tabled a plan of her proposals. She felt Courthill was a school for the Community and would always be oversubscribed despite Lilliput’s additional 3 forms of entry. Currently 28 in the catchment area had no places and 32 had no places this year. This was a whole class. Mrs Davies proposed a temporary solution to increase one Reception Class over 2 years. In Year 1 there would be a temporary or additional classroom for Year 1 and the following year Year 3 would go, so 3 extra classrooms would be available, which could be used. The School would not change its size. In 2013 there would be 4 Year Groups in 3 classes. She felt it was cost effective to provide places at the School, reducing the workload in Appeals and there would be some additional facilities by using the ICT, Music and Drama Room.

Councillor Mrs Dion thanked Mrs Davies for her proposals and acknowledged that the School would lose Year 3 in 2013 and queried whether, until then, it could cope with 60 extra children?

Mrs Davies affirmed this possibility.