To invite questions from the public present at the meeting on subjects other than those on the agenda. The Committee would encourage members of the public with more complex issues to submit their question before the meeting to allow a substantive answer to be given.
Minutes:
7.1 The Chairman invited
members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions. In
response to these questions it was advised that:
·
With school places available, West Sussex County
Council were able to allocate school
places in line with 1 of 3 preferences expressed by parents. WSCC
forecasted that Schools would reach net capacity by
2022/23.
·
A Member of the public raised concern over the use
of the word ‘preference’ as in some instances it was
felt that there had been no variety of choice for parents, based on their locality.
·
If a Maintained School was over-subscribed,
allocation of school places would be conducted under the WSCC
oversubscription criteria in accordance with the admissions code.
This criteria included vulnerable
children and children from low income families. Academies had their
own over-subscription criteria. Each institution published their
oversubscription criteria which was available for inspection by the
public.
·
The Principle of Shoreham Academy advised that the
oversubscription criterion for the academy was the same as the
criteria expressed by maintained schools.
·
Officers advised that if the route from the home to
the school was deemed an available walking route and nearest
appropriate school is over three miles, transport may be provided.
Concerns from the public were raised over the safety and
suitability of some of the footpaths in the area. It was advised by
officers that it was a parent’s legal responsibility to
accompany children to schools where appropriate.
·
Officers advised that children at secondary schools
would commonly travel via public transport, by foot or cycle.
Concern was expressed by members of the public over the viability
and safety of the walking routes that were available to
children.
·
Walking routes to Schools could be challenged on
their levels of reasonable safety by a criteria applied by the
County Council. If they were deemed unsafe transport assistance
could be considered.
·
Concern was expressed over the Ofsted Status of the
Sir Robert Woodard Academy. Officers advised that they were able to
challenge Maintained Schools on their status, however academies were challenged by the
Regional Schools Commissioners Office. It was further advised that
the Academy had made improvements to achieve better status in the
future. Parents were encouraged to read the qualitative information
included in the Ofsted report on the status of the
Academy.
·
With regard to lateness/absence from Schools where
mitigating factors were outside of the Child/Parent’s
control, these would be considered and with on a case by case
basis.
·
Cllr David Simmons advised rail travel would also be
a viable option to travel to local Schools and encouraged parents
to visit prospective secondary schools where possible.
·
A member of the public commented that the main
concerns raised during the discussion were safer transport to
schools and improving the Sir Robert Woodard academy. It was
advised that parents would be more confident and hopeful for the
future if they felt they had been listened to and
understood.
·
Officers advised that whilst they did not have the
authority to direct an academy schools to expand, there was no
reason to believe there would be significant resistance from the
Academy Trust. If there was, further discussions would take place
with the Regional Schools Commissioners Office. West Sussex County
Council had a statutory duty to provide school places for children
across the County so if there were further resistances from the
Regional Schools Commissioners Office, the County could lobby the
Secretary of State. WSCC could direct maintained schools to accept
a higher number of pupils than originally anticipated were
necessary.
·
Officers advised the projected numbers for required
school places were based on the adopted local plan and known
housing developments, in addition to the date these housing
developments were due to be delivered. It was further advised that
was constant dialogue between the County Council and the Districts
and Boroughs.
·
Officers advised that there was no identified need
for a new secondary school immediately. Officers were confident
that the projected numbers dictated this requirement was still a
number of years away.
·
The County Council was working very closely with
Districts and Boroughs to accurately predict realistic projections
of necessary school places in the future, in addition to taking
into account inward and outward migration.
7.2 The Chairman reminded the public gallery that the County Councillors were available to listen to issues and concerns and thanked officers for the informative presentation.