Issue - meetings

Small Schools Proposals - Determination of Statutory Notices

Meeting: 16/06/2020 - Cabinet (Item 18)

18 Small Schools Proposals - Determination of Statutory Notices (CAB05_20/21) pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Following the decision by the Cabinet on 22nd April (CAB01(20/21 - https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=891), West Sussex County Council (WSCC) issued notices on 7th May 2020 of their intention to discontinue Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infants’ School on 31st August 2020.

 

Following consideration of representations received during the 4 week period in relation to these proposals, the Cabinet is asked to determine the statutory notices.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following the Regional Schools Commissioner’s decision announced on 15 June 2020, to make academy orders for both Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infant School, Chichester, recommendations 1 and 2 as set out in the published report were no longer relevant and therefore Cabinet was asked to consider recommendation 3 only in relation to Warlinglid Primary School, Warlinglid. 

 

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved:

 

To relocate Warninglid Primary School, Warninglid, Haywards Heath to a new site in Pease Pottage, Crawley, by September 2021 (subject to developers completing in Summer 2021) and implement the proposals submitted by Warninglid Primary School and at least one other partner to federate.

 

The call-in deadline is 25 June 2020.

Minutes:

18.1   The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Education and Skills.

 

18.2   The report was introduced by Cllr Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills who advised of events since the publication of the decision report. Following the Regional Schools Commissioner’s decision announced on 15 June 2020, to make academy orders for both Clapham and Patching C of E Primary School and Rumboldswhyke C of E Infant School, recommendations 1 and 2 in the published report were no longer relevant and therefore Cabinet was asked to consider recommendation 3 only in relation to Warlinglid Primary School, Warlinglid

 

18.3   Cllr David Barling, Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Committee noted the Committee’s support for the academisation of Clapham and Patching and Rumboldswhyke schools and highlighted that further work would be required to establish the viability in terms of education and finance to the satisfaction of the schools minister.

 

18.4   Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the academisation of the two schools. He noted the process had been stressful for communities and suggested a review of process should be undertaken.

 

18.5   Cllr James Walsh, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted the uncertainty caused by the process. He added that every effort should be made by the authority to support the smooth transition for the schools.

 

18.6   Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader, acknowledged this had been a difficult and emotive process for those involved. He added that the authority had complied with the Department for Education (DfE) processes and that the right support would be given to pupils and the schools going forward.

 

18.7   Resolved – that Cabinet support the proposal to:

 

1.   Relocate Warninglid Primary School, Warninglid, Haywards Heath to a new site in Pease Pottage, Crawley, by September 2021 (subject to developers completing in Summer 2021) and implement the proposals submitted by Warninglid Primary School and at least one other partner to federate.