PAPER B
|
CHILDREN'S
SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE- 17 AUGUST 2004 SCHOOL
ORGANISATION CONSULTATION REPORT OF THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE |
REASON FOR SELECT
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
The item was included with the Select Committee’s workplan following
discussions at its Awayday in May on the consultation process relating to
Schools Organisation.
|
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE To make appropriate recommendations to the Executive on key issues
arising from the Select Committee’s consultation process that should be taken
into account in reaching any conclusions on the future organisation of
schools. |
BACKGROUND
On 21 April 2004 the Executive considered the report of the Portfolio
Holder for Education, Community Development on Schools Organisation. This outlined the work that had been
undertaken since the publication of a report by consultants KPMG written in
2001. The report was commissioned
jointly by the Local Learning and Skills Council and the Isle of Wight Council
on the future of 14 – 19 education on the Island.
Since the publication of the KPMG report a number of additional factors
concerning the delivery of education and school attainment had been
raised. Then the Government announced
plans for the refurbishment/rebuilding of secondary schools through the
availability of capital funding through a ‘Building Schools for the Future’
programme. This therefore provided an
opportunity for the Council, as the Local Education Authority to consider the
organisation of its school system.
Based on the findings of KPMG there were 5 main options for changes to
the existing school system. These
options are :
1.
Continue with
the existing school system including increased collaboration between High
Schools and the College;
2.
5 – 11 Primary
Schools, 11 – 16 Secondary Schools and a Sixth Form or Tertiary College;
3.
As 2 above but
with the variation that, in areas of lower density population (such as West
Wight and Ventnor), there would be provision for centres offering pre-school
experience, community and multi-agency facilities, and education to the age of
7, followed by 7 – 16 schools;
4.
Extend the
Middle School age range by a further year and reduce the number of High Schools
from 5 to 4;
5.
5 – 11 Primary
Schools, 11 – 18 High Schools with increased vocational facilities and a
reduced role for the College.
The Executive agreed to a consultation exercise. This was to provide relevant information to
sectors of the Island’s community on the proposed changes and gain
feedback. The results of this exercise
is to be reported to the Executive on 20 October 2004. A formal consultation process on the
preferred options would be undertaken during November/December 2004 with a
final decision being taken by the Executive in the Spring of 2005.
The Select Committee, at its Awayday on 18 May 2004, agreed that it
should carry out separate, independent fact finding informal meetings. These were to be on a themed basis with
relevant stakeholders invited. The
themes were Primary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Further Education,
Youth Groups and the Local Education Authority. The intention of these meetings was to enable members of the
Select Committee to ascertain the general advantages and disadvantages of the
five options.
Each themed meeting was chaired by a lead member. These were :
Primary Schools - Barbara Clough
Middle Schools - Patrick
Joyce
High Schools - Roger Mazillius
Further Education - Erica Oulton
Youth - Charlie Hancock
LEA - Conrad Gauntlett
The main findings arising from the themed meetings are attached as
Appendix 1. The Appendix highlights the
views expressed by stakeholders and the key issues that they would like to have
comment or clarification on by the LEA. It is clear that the existing schools
system has to undergo change but none of the five options was identified as
being the only way forward by any of the stakeholder groups.
Figures obtained from the DfES indicate that there are 156 Local
Education Authorities in England. Of these 26 currently operate a 3 or 2and 3
tier system. These are :- Bedfordshire. Cambridgeshire; Devon; Dorset; Harrow;
Hertfordshire; IOW; Kent; Kirklees; Leicestershire; Milton Keynes; Newcastle
upon Tyne; Norfolk; North Tyneside; North Yorkshire; Northamptonshire;
Northumberland; Poole; Somerset; Staffordshire; Suffolk; West Sussex;
Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead and Worcestershire.
RELEVANT PLANS,
POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Education Development Plan.
OFSTED LEA Action Plan.
14 – 19 Action Plan.
CONSULTATION
PROCESS
Attention should be given by the Executive on the views and comments
emanating from the themed meetings.
Additionally the role of the Select Committee in the formal consultation
phase requires consideration.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL,
CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
Each option for change to the existing school system will have a major
budget implication. The costs will
become clearer once the options are refined down.
The LEA under S14 of the Education Act 1996, has to ensure that there
are sufficient schools for their area.
Any proposals to close, or open, new schools have to be publicised under
sections 28 – 35 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998.
APPENDICES
ATTACHED
1.
Key
Issues arising from 6 themed meetings.
2.
List
of stakeholders attending.
Agenda
and minutes of the Executive on 21 April 2004.
Contact Point : John
Howe, Chairman Of The Children's Services Select
Committee, F
, e-mail john.howe@iow.gov.uk.