REPORT OF THE LEAD MEMBER OF EDUCATION

To the CABINET / Policy Committee

ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY GOVERNING BODY FOR A NEW HIGH SCHOOL

TO BE ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2001

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report seeks approval for the establishment of a temporary governing body for a new high school which it is proposed will open in September 2001 as a result of the amalgamation of two existing high schools, Joseph Eastham and Little Hulton Community.

BACKGROUND

  1. On 20th September 2000, Policy Committee approved a set of proposals for the reduction of surplus places in Salford high schools which included a proposal to amalgamate Joseph Eastham High School and Little Hulton Community School on the Joseph Eastham site. The statutory process for this is to close the two existing schools and to open a new school on the Joseph Eastham site.

  1. Under the School Standards and Framework Act local education authorities must set up a temporary governing body for a new school when proposals have been approved by the School Organisation Committee or, where the proposals do not need approval, when the authority have determined to implement the proposals. LEA's may set up a temporary governing body earlier, in anticipation of the approval of the proposals. It is normal practice to set up a temporary governing body in these circumstances.

  1. The statutory processes for establishing the new school, starting with the publication of notices, will commence shortly and, given that the proposed opening date is September, 2001, a temporary governing body needs to be set up as soon as possible to enable the strategic planning for the new school to commence, in anticipation of approval being received.

4.Details of the proposed composition, appointments, proceedings and powers of the temporary governing body are set out in the appendix to this report.

CONCLUSION

5.This report is the first step towards establishing a governing body for this new high school which the Authority proposes to establish from September, 2001. The temporary governing body, when established, will be involved in the strategic planning for the new school, particularly in relation to staffing, finance and curriculum issues.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
Alan Gough (Education Officer, Support Services) - 0161 837 1741

APPENDIX

TEMPORARY GOVERNING BODY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL TO

REPLACE JOSEPH EASTHAM HIGH AND LITTLE HULTON

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

  1. Composition

Category / No. of Governors / To be Appointed By
Parents / 6 / Existing Governing Bodies (See Note (a))
LEA / 5 / Deputy Lead Member for Education
Teachers / 2 / Existing Governing Bodies (See Note (b))
Staff (Non-Teaching) / 1 / Temporary Governing Body
Co-opted / 5 / Temporary Governing Body
Head Teacher / 1 / Temporary Governing Body
/ 20
  1. Proceedings, Organisation and Functions

2.1The proceedings, organisation and functions of the temporary governing body will be in accordance with the Education (School Government) (England). Regulations 1999 and the Education (New Schools) (England) Regulations 1999.

Notes

(a)The Regulations provide for Parent Governors to be co-opted by the temporary governing body but where two or more schools are being discontinued, the LEA may provide for some or all of the temporary parent governors to be nominated by the governing bodies of the discontinued schools. In accordance with previous practice it is recommended that the existing governing bodies of Joseph Eastham High School and Little Hulton Community School be each invited to nominate three parents to serve on the temporary governing body.

(b)The Regulations provide for temporary teacher governors to be co-opted by the temporary governing body but where two or more schools are being discontinued, the LEA may provide for some or all of the temporary teacher governors to be nominated by the governing bodies of the discontinued schools. In accordance with previous practice it is recommended that the existing governing bodies of Joseph Eastham High School and Little Hulton Community School be each invited to nominate one temporary teacher governor.

-2-

(c)The LEA Governors currently serving on the governing bodies of Joseph Eastham High School and Little Hulton Community School are as follows:-

Joseph Eastham High / Little Hulton Community
Mrs. E. Allcroft / Mrs. L. Cairns
Mr. J. Byrne / Mrs. J. Lyth
Mr. R. Carney / Mrs. J. Schofield
Councillor V. Devine / Vacancy
Mr. F. Hankinson