Agenda and draft minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th March, 2008 be received as a correct record.

Pursuant to Minute No. 55 of the previous meeting held on 18^th March 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Principal Officer, Forward Planning, (Children and Young People’s Services) concerning the requirement for all admission authorities to determine admission arrangements for the 2009-2010 academic year. 

The report described the final determination of admission criteria for community and controlled schools;  and a potential objection to the Schools Adjudicator in relation to proposed criteria applying to St. Bede’s CatholicPrimary School, as a result of the annual consultation exercise with and between schools and other admission authorities.

In addition, the report set out comments from the LAF (Local Admissions Forum) following their meeting held on 20^th March, 2008.

The LAF has considered and commented upon proposed changes to the admission criteria applying to St. Bede’s CatholicPrimary School, which were received after the deadline for consultation.  A potential objection to the Schools Adjudicator must be considered (all admission authorities must determine their arrangements by 15^th April, 2008).

Appendix 1 set out the LA’s consultation document which was circulated to all schools in the Autumn Term 2007.  The previous report (18^th March meeting) considered feedback on the proposal to potentially change the priority given to siblings and also those with a specific social or medical need within the admissions criteria applying to community and controlled schools.  This outlined, in particular, specific feedback from four schools and the emergence of a further sub-category (those with a sibling and a catchment connection) which had not formed part of the original consultation. Additionally, a very recent Ministerial Statement on admissions has suggested that the Education and Skills Bill will be amended at report stage in order that powers will be taken to enhance consultation arrangements, particularly with parents, where major changes are proposed.

In the light of the above it would seem sensible to leave the criteria unchanged from those applying to the 2008/09 admissions year and to consider further consultation, as part of the annual consultation applying to the 2010/11 admissions year, when the cycle recommences later in 2008. This course of action was noted and agreed as a sensible way forward by members of the LAF at their meeting held on 20^th March 2008.

Annex 2 set out the proposed admissions criteria applicable to the 2009/10 admissions year as agreed by the St. Bede’s Catholic School Governing Body.

The LA was first informed of potential changes to the criteria agreed and applying to the 2008/09 admissions year, via e-mail on 12^th March 2008.

There is potential to make a formal objection to the Schools Adjudicator on two grounds:

i) appropriate consultation did not take place within the stipulated time period (up to 1^st March 2008)

ii) there are a number of areas where the criteria do not appear to fully conform with the School Admissions Code – these are in relation to children with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Pursuant to Minute No. 46 of a previous meeting held on 26^th February 2008, when it was agreed that a proposed revised admissions policy for LA Nurseries and Foundation Stage One Units should be circulated to all Primary Schools/Early Years Centres/Nurseries for information and comment, consideration was given to a report presented by the Manager, School Organisation Planning and Development, which outlined the feedback and sought a decision on approval of the policy.

Appendix 1 set out the revised policy which was approved for consultation with Primary Schools/Early Years Centres/Nurseries.  This now covers statemented children, Looked After Children, siblings and those with outstanding social/medical reasons for attendance.  Also, the criteria at 6), sought to give some priority to those already attending a school’s attached children’s centre, which, for some children, will provide more continuity than at present.

There were two responses to the consultation, but additionally, David Hill (Manager School Organisation, Planning and Development) was invited to a Primary Cluster Representatives meeting held on 10^th March in order to provide any necessary clarification and to answer any questions.

Essentially, there was full agreement and no objection to the content of the policy.  There were some questions about the administration of the process that might be brought about by the additional categories included within the policy such as the identification of Looked After Children and determination of the qualification under the ‘social/medical’ category.  Schools/Nurseries/Early Years Centres can be assured that if any such questions arise, CYPS staff will be available to help.

There were also some questions concerning the extended and more flexible early years entitlement that will be available from September 2010 and, as agreed at the previous meeting, that will be subject to a subsequent report when further information is available from central government following the report from the 20 pilot projects.

Resolved:-  That the revised admissions policy for all LA School Nurseries or Foundation Stage One Units be approved, and that all establishments be informed immediately.

In accordance with Minute No. 48 of a previous meeting held on 26^th February 2008, the meeting considered a report presented by the Manager, School Organisation Planning and Development on the outcome of pre-statutory consultations undertaken with School Governors, Staff and Parents, together with copies of the consultation papers sent to Ward Members.

Broom ValleyJunior School and Broom ValleyInfant School are both separate schools.  The proposal is to amalgamate the two schools by closing the Infant School and expanding and changing the age range at the Junior School.

Members have previously agreed to consult as appropriate where two schools meet the considerations for amalgamation which are described in the ‘School Organisation Plan in Section 4, ‘LEA Policies and Principles’.

The principal objectives of amalgamation are:

1)                 to provide a continuous primary entitlement across the key stages;  and

2)                 to provide a unified management structure with a single school ethos which will be more efficient and make more effective use of resources

The report set out a number of comments raised by School Governors, Union Representatives, Staff and Parents, together with responses by officers to questions raised.

Formal objections may be lodged during the representation period following the publication of a statutory notice.  A final decision should be determined by the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning within 2 months from the end of the representation period.  If this fails to be done, then the matter is referred to the Schools Adjudicator for decision.

Resolved:-  That the statutory consultation on the proposal to ‘amalgamate’ Broom Valley Junior School and Broom Valley Infant School by closing the Infant School and expanding and changing the age range at Broom Valley Junior School, as described in Appendix A now submitted, is begun and that a further report be submitted to a future meeting with details of the outcome of the formal consultation.

Pursuant to Minute No. 47 of a previous meeting held on 26^th February 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Manager, School Organisation Planning and Development on the outcome of pre-statutory consultations undertaken with School Governors, Staff and Parents, together with copies of the consultation papers also sent to Ward Members, on the proposal to ‘amalgamate’ Rawmarsh Monkwood Infant and Junior Schools.

To do this, the Infant School will be closed and the Junior school will be expanded and will have its age range changed from 7-11 to 3-11 years.  Rawmarsh Monkwood Junior will, therefore, become a ‘through’ primary school and will accommodate the same number of pupils as are currently accommodated within the two schools.

The new School would have 420 places (R-Y6) with a Nursery unit of up to 52 places (26FTE).  (This is the combined numbers of the current two schools).  The school would have an admission number of 60.

The principal objectives of amalgamation are:

1)                 to provide a continuous primary entitlement across the key stages;  and

2)                 to provide a unified management structure with a single school ethos which will be more efficient and make more effective use of resources

Considerations for amalgamation are described in the School Organisation Plan in Section 4, ‘LEA Policies and Principles’.  (As described in Appendix A).

The report set out the main issues raised at all pre-consultation meetings with staff, parents and Governors, together with responses by officers from the Authority.

Formal objections may be lodged during the representation period following the publication of a statutory notice.  A final decision should be determined by the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning within two months from the end of the representation period.  If this fails to be done, the matter is then referred to the Schools Adjudicator.

One Member raised a question with regard to the educational benefits and achievements for through schools.

The meeting was informed that National evidence showed that continuity in education was better for children, both for their attainment and wellbeing.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the statutory consultation on the proposal to ‘amalgamate’ Rawmarsh Monkwood Junior School and Rawmarsh Monkwood Infant School by closing the Infant School and expanding and changing the age range at Rawmarsh Monkwood Junior School as described in Appendix A, now submitted, is begun and that a further report be submitted to Members with details of the outcome of the formal consultation.

(2)  That, in view of a concern expressed at all meetings with staff, parents and Governors that the land the Infant School was built on and the infant playing fields would be disposed of for housing, a suitable press release be issued clearly stating the LEA’s view on this matter.  Having investigated further, both the junior and infant school sites would be needed to deliver sufficient playing field site for the amalgamated school.

Consideration was given to a report by the Principal Officer, External Funding on the European Structural Funds 2007-2013 14-19 Provision.

The Learning and Skills Council have completed the initial round of tendering for activity within the new European Structural Funds 2007-2013.  On Thursday 20^th March 2008 Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) were informed that the tender for the 16-19 NEET Co-ordinated Response Manager role had been successful.  The Response Manager, will be responsible for co-ordinating and commissioning activity which will reduce the proportion of young people age 16-19 who are NEET.  The contract value is £1.5m for two years with effect from 1^st April 2008, with the opportunity for a further £0.5m in a third year if initial contract outputs are achieved.

In addition, the European Commission have agreed that funding to support NEETs preventative activities for 14-16 year olds should be subject to single tender arrangements (non competitive) in each Local Authority District in South Yorkshire.  Therefore, dependent upon the submission of a satisfactory business plan, the LSC will award Rotherham Children and Young People’s Services £1.58m ESF, over three years, for the delivery of eligible activity with effect from September 2008.

Unlike the previous Objective 1 Programme this funding is ‘co-financed’ by the LSC and the Local Authority will not be required to identify match funding.

The report provided further details of the management and targeting of this funding, together with key contract objectives.

One Member raised a question with regard to monitoring of the project.  It was reported that performance and spend will be reported to the 14-19 Strategy Group, the membership of which consisted of all key stakeholders.  The Strategy Group had agreed the model, signed up to an agreement, and agreed that the Local Authority would act as lead body in terms of delivery.

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

(2)   That approval be given to commence the delivery of the 16-19 NEET Co-ordinated Response Manager project.

(3)  That a monitoring report be submitted to the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning on a six monthly basis.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information likely to reveal the identity of an individual).

Pursuant to Minute No. C50 of January 2000, consideration was given to nominations received to fill Local Authority vacancies on school governing bodies.

Resolved:- That, with the effective date of appointment, the following appointments be made to school governing bodies, subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken:-

New Appointments  

Aston Lodge Primary                                      Mr D Corkell               15/04/08

Herringthorpe Junior                                      Mr A Trueman            15/04/08

Lilly Hall Junior                                               Mr B Chico                 15/04/08

Roughwood Primary                                       Cr I C Barron              15/04/08

Roughwood Primary                                       Mrs S Hodge              15/04/08

Wath Central Primary                                    Mr J Mahdavi             15/04/08

Laughton All Saints CE Primary                     Mrs W Olivant                        15/04/08

Trinity Croft CE Primary                                  Cr D Pickering             15/04/08

WickersleySchool and SportsCollege          Mrs J Cox                   15/04/08

Kelford                                                                        Cr S Currie                  15/04/08

Re-appointments

Anston Hillcrest Primary                                Mrs G Foster              15/04/08

Anston Hillcrest Primary                                Mrs J Scott                15/04/08

Aston Fence J&I                                             Cr H Jack                    15/04/08

BroomValley Junior                                       Mr S Kapoor               15/04/08

Kimberworth Community Primary                 Mrs S Armeson          15/04/08

Kimberworth Community Primary                 Cr P Wootton             15/04/08

KivetonPark Infant                                          Mrs A Britton             15/04/08

Lilly Hall Junior                                                Mrs D Addy                 15/04/08

Woodsetts Primary                                        Cr IGL St. John            15/04/08

Abbey                                                              Mrs E Sharman          15/04/08

All the above appointments are subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken.