MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON 1 DECEMBER 2003 COMMENCING AT 4.00 PM

Present :

LEA Members :

Mrs B D Clough, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr A J Mellor

School Groups :

Mr P Fuller, Mrs C Tarrant, Mr R Webb, Mrs H Wilks

RC Diocese of Portsmouth :

Ms U Topp

Hants and IOW Learning Skills Council :

Mr P Higgins

Also Present (Non-Voting) :

Mr R G Mazillius

Apologies :

LEA Members : Mrs J L Wareham

School Groups : Mr G Lumley

C of E Diocese : Mrs A Bradley, Canon D Isaac

RC Diocese of Portsmouth : Mr P Birks, Mr M Gibbons

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr C R Hancock be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

2. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2002 be confirmed.

3. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr P Fuller be elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

4. SCHOOL ORGANISATION PLAN, 2003/2004 – 2007/2008

In accordance with practice, outlined in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, consideration was given to the draft School Organisation Plan (SOP) for the period 2003/2004 to 2007/2008. The SOP, which was published on 1 August 2003, set out how the authority intended to match the supply and demand for school places during this period and the factors to be taken into consideration to facilitate this. The Committee noted that the SOP had undergone an eleven-week consultation period, ending on 24 October, and no objections had been received during this time.

The SOP, had been produced in a slightly different format to those previously. The document contained an analysis of demography and organisation of school places in the form of tables, the factors affecting school places and the conclusions drawn from the previous sections. In the future, the Government required the Plan to be produced every 3 years, although the tables would be produced yearly.

During discussion on school admissions and in particular, waiting lists, the need was highlighted for it to be stressed to parents that they should always advise the Local Education Authority of any proposed house moves, which could affect their child’s place at a school.

RESOLVED :

THAT the draft School Organisation Plan, 2003/2004 – 2007/2008 be approved.

5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members were advised that a further meeting would be required, early in the new year, following the period of formal consultation with regard to Totland Primary school.

RESOLVED :

THAT Members be advised, by the end of the year, of the arrangements to hold the next meeting of the School Organisation Committee.

CHAIRMAN