Agenda and minutes

Susan Green, Committee Services Officer, welcomed those in attendance, and particularly a new Member attending for the first time.

Apologies for absence were received from Ann Winfield, Christine Lawler, Councillor Austen, Pat Lennighan, and Jackie Scott.

Resolved:-  That Councillor Boyes be appointed Chairman of this Committee for 2004/2005.

(Councillor Boyes took the Chair for this meeting).

Resolved:-  That Bronwen Watson be appointed Vice-Chairman of this Committee for 2004/2005.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th February, 2004 be received as a correct record.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of a meeting of the Local Admissions Forum held on 13^th May, 2004 be received as a correct record.

Martin Harrop reported on the proposed update to the School Organisation Plan 2003/04-2007/08. This had been put together in response to DfES advice and gave an opportunity to look at the demographic information, particularly in relation to the actual numbers entering schools in 2003/04 compared to the estimates contained within the Plan.

The main issues referred to and discussed were:-

            Section 1 - % of schools with 25% + unfilled places

            8 Primary Schools – 1 Secondary School

            However, in both the Primary and Secondary sectors the numbers entering         Reception and Y7 were greater than estimated and, therefore, the % of       surplus places overall were smaller in both cases.  In line with this, the % of   pupils   in excess of school capacity in secondary schools rose, as             anticipated, but to a slightly greater extent.

            Members considered the schools which had 25%+ surplus places and the         changes which were already in the pipeline such as new build at Dinnington        Primary, PFI at Maltby Crags and the closure of Kimberworth   Comprehensive.

            Section 7 – Numbers entering Reception

            Statistics showed that rather than migration away from Rotherham, it was          now the opposite position.

            The Chair commented that, certainly in terms of work addressed within the          regeneration of Rotherham, evidence did point to the beginning of a             growth in population.

            This factor also seemed to be the case regarding Admission Appeals and            more families were coming to Rotherham from neighbouring authorities.

            The figure relating to the birth rate had shown a slight rise and a tendency           to follow the evidence in terms of when Rotherham last had a very small       cohort which was approximately 25/26 years ago.

            Secondary Schools – Forecast for Yr7

            Figures highlight some of the problems in terms of admissions and that   numbers were very much at the height currently going into Year 7.  The final             entry figure was 3840 compared to an estimate of 3777, an increase of      63.

            Section 9 – Primary Schools

            This section dealt with the twelve planning areas. 

            Aston/Aughton has the biggest difference of predicted and actual numbers        on roll.  Other areas where actuals were greater than the predicted       numbers were considered, particularly in relation to Appendix 7 of the Plan,   which outlined the largest house building development areas.

            Members referred to the Admission Appeals process and the fact that    Dinnington/Wales/Aston had the most pressure on schools with no other            schools in the area to send children.

            The meeting discussed the issue of some Rotherham schools filling with children from outside the authority and a situation which then arose when      Rotherham parents did not submit early applications and numbers were            high.

            One member raised a question on whether new schools were planned for            Aston/Aughton. 

            Reference was made to the 30 limit legislation which could mean a child not       being able to attend a primary school next door to their home address.

            Section 11 – Special Education Provision

            Proposals for statutory changes at 5 of the 7 Special Schools had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

(a)      Revised Guidance on Statutory Proposals to close Rural Schools

      Consideration was given to a report of the Principal Officer, Planning,   Resources and Information which outlined revised guidance to replace the       previous DfES guidance for decision makers (i.e. the School Organisation   Committee LEA/Adjudicator) on the closure of rural schools.

      The difference was only slight but placed an onus on proposers to provide      evidence to demonstrate that within their proposal they have considered   specific matters.

      The current information held on Edubase showed wards rather than schools             being classed as rural, although the guidance also made the point that it was up    to         School Organisation Committees to determine what they consider to be        rural in their individual areas. 

      One Member commented that Rotherham LEA had a very good record of       supporting small schools, which it was felt was reflected in a rise in the         quality of education.

      The revised guidance, which is statutory, comes into effect from 1^st     October,          2004.

      (b)  Consultation on the Education (Miscellaneous) (England) (Amendment)                              Regulations 2004

      The proposed regulations would amend parts of three pieces of current school         organisation legislation – the Education (School Organisation Proposals)         (England) Regulations 1999, the Education (School Organisation Committee)       (England) Regulations 1999 and the Education (References to Adjudicator)       Regulations 1999.

      It is intended that regulations 2-4 and 11-13  will come into force in the         Autumn, and regulations 5-10 in February, 2005.  The latter are the   regulations which       relate to membership of the SOC.

      Martin Harrop, on behalf of the School Organisation Committee, had   responded       to the proposals.

      The most significant changes and the ones where action may/will be             required are amending the definition of ‘relevant school’ to include nursery        schools which will then also enable, through further amendment, the         inclusion of      a nursery school representative within the Schools Group of          the SOC where there is at least one such school in the area.  The requirement to include a          Special School Representative is removed but          only where there is no special            school within the LEA area.

      As the information from DfES on nursery representation had been ambiguous,           this had been discussed with them.  DfES had agreed to look into this matter            and a response was presently awaited, the outcome of which may mean the need to obtain a Nursery representative to serve on the School Organisation        Committee.

      Resolved:-  (1)   That the report be noted.

      (2)  That further information from DfES on a proposed change to the inclusion            of a nursery school representative on the School Organisation Committee be   submitted to a future meeting.

The Secretary submitted details of recent new membership on to the Minority Communities Group, and resignations on the School Organisation Committee.

Resolved:-  (1)  That an advertisement be placed in the next School Governors Newsletter asking for representatives to substitute on the following Schools’ Groups:-

            11-16 Secondary Schools

            11-18 Secondary Schools

            Infant School

(2)  That, on behalf of the School Organisation Committee, the Secretary write to Sue Birkin thanking her for the work she has carried out on the Committee and extending the Committee’s very best wishes for her future health.

The meeting considered an e-mail received from Jo Bell, School Organisation Unit informing of the Forum’s Home Page entitled ‘SOC Health Checks Available’, now being offered by the Chief Schools Adjudicator following a recent pilot exercise.

The aim of the programme is to improve SOC’s understanding of their statutory duties and framework in which they operate, and provide information and support to SOCs to help ensure they reach well founded decisions in accordance with regulations and guidance.

Martin Harrop reported that no further information was available due to the website having recently been unavailable.

Resolved:-  That further information on this matter be submitted to the next meeting.

This was agreed for Thursday, 20^th January, 2005 at 9.30 a.m.