Issue - meetings

To consider the following motion, submitted by Dr O’Kelly, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at the meeting of the County Council on 19 July 2019.

‘The current financial climate for small schools continues to be challenging.  The government strategy for small schools is to aim to keep them open and includes exploring federation before considering closure.  This Council itself recognises the need for small schools to consider federation in its School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22.  Closure of a small school can be devastating for children, families and the rural communities they are in and the School Effectiveness Strategy recognises this as only a final option.

The process of federation relies on school governors, who are volunteers, often with full time jobs and other commitments, and who do not always have the time and skill sets needed, to explore and develop the federation options fully themselves.  Although the School Effectiveness Strategy outlines that the Council will support and challenge governing bodies who have considered the options, there is no formal process for assisting governing bodies in assessing the options open to them and developing possible federation agreements in the first place.

This Council believes that:

(a)          Small schools are at the heart of our smaller communities.

(b)          The federation process is not always straightforward and without significant input from this Council from the earliest stages of the process, governing bodies cannot easily explore federation on their own.

(c)          A more proactive approach to federation is more likely to keep our small schools open and viable and at the heart of our rural communities.  

(d)          Consulting on the possible closure of a school should only be considered where all other options have been exhausted.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:

(1)         Share knowledge about federation and how it can be achieved with all small schools including sharing best practice guidance from other local authorities;

(2)         Provide officer support to governing bodies to consider federation including providing support to find possible partners and facilitate discussions;

(3)         Provide practical tools and officer support during the partnership phase in helping to make all the transitional arrangements; and

(4)         Not consult with the public as to the future of any school in West Sussex without having gone through such a process with schools.’

and the report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.

56.1     At the County Council meeting on 19 July 2019 the following motion had been moved by Dr O’Kelly, seconded by Mr Smytherman, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 53 and 54). Ms Lord spoke as seconder at the meeting.

‘The current financial climate for small schools continues to be challenging.  The government strategy for small schools is to aim to keep them open and includes exploring federation before considering closure.  This Council itself recognises the need for small schools to consider federation in its School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22.  Closure of a small school can be devastating for children, families and the rural communities they are in and the School Effectiveness Strategy recognises this as only a final option.

The process of federation relies on school governors, who are volunteers, often with full time jobs and other commitments, and who do not always have the time and skill sets needed, to explore and develop the federation options fully themselves.  Although the School Effectiveness Strategy outlines that the Council will support and challenge governing bodies who have considered the options, there is no formal process for assisting governing bodies in assessing the options open to them and developing possible federation agreements in the first place.

This Council believes that:

(a)        Small schools are at the heart of our smaller communities.

(b)        The federation process is not always straightforward and without significant input from this Council from the earliest stages of the process, governing bodies cannot easily explore federation on their own.

(c)         A more proactive approach to federation is more likely to keep our small schools open and viable and at the heart of our rural communities. 

(d)        Consulting on the possible closure of a school should only be considered where all other options have been exhausted.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:

(1)        Share knowledge about federation and how it can be achieved with all small schools including sharing best practice guidance from other local authorities;

(2)        Provide officer support to governing bodies to consider federation including providing support to find possible partners and facilitate discussions;

(3)        Provide practical tools and officer support during the partnership phase in helping to make all the transitional arrangements; and

(4)        Not consult with the public as to the future of any school in West Sussex without having gone through such a process with schools.’

56.2     An amendment was moved by Mr Simmons and seconded by Ms Flynn as set out below:

‘The current financial climate for small schools continues to be challenging.  The government strategy for small schools is to aim, where possible, to keep them open and includes exploring federation before considering closure.  This Council itself recognises the need for small schools to consider federation in its School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22. Closure of any a small school has the potential to have an adverse effect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56

To consider the following motion, submitted by Dr O’Kelly, notice of which was given on 1 July 2019.

‘The current financial climate for small schools continues to be challenging.  The government strategy for small schools is to aim to keep them open and includes exploring federation before considering closure.  This Council itself recognises the need for small schools to consider federation in its School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22.  Closure of a small school can be devastating for children, families and the rural communities they are in and the School Effectiveness Strategy recognises this as only a final option.

The process of federation relies on school governors, who are volunteers, often with full time jobs and other commitments, and who do not always have the time and skill sets needed, to explore and develop the federation options fully themselves.  Although the School Effectiveness Strategy outlines that the Council will support and challenge governing bodies who have considered the options, there is no formal process for assisting governing bodies in assessing the options open to them and developing possible federation agreements in the first place.  

This Council believes that:

(a)      Small schools are at the heart of our smaller communities.

(b)      The federation process is not always straightforward and without significant input from this Council from the earliest stages of the process, governing bodies cannot easily explore federation on their own.

(c)      A more proactive approach to federation is more likely to keep our small schools open and viable and at the heart of our rural communities.

(d)      Consulting on the possible closure of a school should only be considered where all other options have been exhausted.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:

(1)      Share knowledge about federation and how it can be achieved with all small schools including sharing best practice guidance from other local authorities;

(2)      Provide officer support to governing bodies to consider federation including providing support to find possible partners and facilitate discussions;

(3)      Provide practical tools and officer support during the partnership phase in helping to make all the transitional arrangements; and

(4)      Not consult with the public as to the future of any school in West Sussex without having gone through such a process with schools.’

36.1  The following motion was moved by Dr O’Kelly and seconded by Mr Smytherman:

‘The current financial climate for small schools continues to be challenging.  The government strategy for small schools is to aim to keep them open and includes exploring federation before considering closure.  This Council itself recognises the need for small schools to consider federation in its School Effectiveness Strategy 2018-22.  Closure of a small school can be devastating for children, families and the rural communities they are in and the School Effectiveness Strategy recognises this as only a final option.

The process of federation relies on school governors, who are volunteers, often with full time jobs and other commitments, and who do not always have the time and skill sets needed, to explore and develop the federation options fully themselves.  Although the School Effectiveness Strategy outlines that the Council will support and challenge governing bodies who have considered the options, there is no formal process for assisting governing bodies in assessing the options open to them and developing possible federation agreements in the first place.

This Council believes that:

(a)     Small schools are at the heart of our smaller communities.

(b)     The federation process is not always straightforward and without significant input from this Council from the earliest stages of the process, governing bodies cannot easily explore federation on their own.

(c)     A more proactive approach to federation is more likely to keep our small schools open and viable and at the heart of our rural communities.

(d)     Consulting on the possible closure of a school should only be considered where all other options have been exhausted.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to:

(1)     Share knowledge about federation and how it can be achieved with all small schools including sharing best practice guidance from other local authorities;

(2)     Provide officer support to governing bodies to consider federation including providing support to find possible partners and facilitate discussions;

(3)     Provide practical tools and officer support during the partnership phase in helping to make all the transitional arrangements; and

(4)     Not consult with the public as to the future of any school in West Sussex without having gone through such a process with schools.’

36.2  The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills for consideration.