MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 4.00 PM

Present :

LEA Members :

Mr C R Hancock (Vice Chairman in the Chair), Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, Mrs J L Wareham

School Groups :

Mrs C Tarrant, Mrs H Wilks

C of E Diocese :

Mr B Hay

RC Diocese of Portsmouth :

Mrs L Fairhurst

Learning Skills Council :

Mr P Holliday, Mrs S Simpkins

Apologies :

                       LEA Member :                        Mr K Pearson

                       School Group :                       Mr J Franklin

                       RC Diocese of Portsmouth :  Mr P Birks

Also Present :

Mrs B Clough

7.        MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2001 be confirmed.

8.        PROPOSED REORGANISATION OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS

The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development outlined the Authority’s proposals to reorganise Medina House and Watergate Special Schools with effect from September 2003. He explained that Medina House would change from an all age school for children with complex learning difficulties to a primary school for pupils aged between 2 and 11, with complex learning difficulties.

Watergate would change from an all age school for children with moderate learning difficulties to a secondary school for pupils, aged between 11 and 19, also with complex learning difficulties.

The Committee was advised of the background to the reorganisation and the consultation process that had been undertaken with all the relevant parties involved. The Strategic Director of Education and Community Development indicated the need for the changes and how these would be managed.

Arising from the formal consultation process one objection had been received. The Committee noted the comments of the Strategic Director in response to the area of concern expressed by the objector.

The Committee considered the details of the proposed reorganisation. Members were advised that each school would continue to have a separate identity with their own Headteacher and Governing Body. There was nothing to preclude the two schools, in the light of experience, to consider joint arrangements at a later date.

RESOLVED :

THAT the reorganisation of Special Schools as proposed by the Strategic Director of Education and Community Development be approved.

CHAIRMAN