Agenda item

(In addition to the enclosed information, please bring the Statement of Case sent on 20^th June, 2005)

The meeting considered a report which gave details of a proposal to make a prescribed alteration to the age range at Brinsworth Howarth Junior and Infant School.

Brinsworth Howarth Junior and Infant School is currently a 4-11 age range school.  The proposal is to change the age range to 3-11 years to allow younger pupils to be admitted to a Foundation Stage Unit.

The following information attached as appendices to the report were considered:-

Appendix A            -     Background information on the Foundation Stage Units

Appendix B            -     Meeting with Parents – Tuesday, 26^th April, 2005

Appendix C            -     Meeting with Governing Body – Tuesday, 26^th April, 2005

Appendix D            -     Meeting with Staff – Tuesday, 26^th April, 2005

Appendix E            -     Comments from CatcliffePrimary School

Appendix F            -     Letter from PaC (Parents at Catcliffe) dated 18^th May, 2005

Appendix G            -     Letter from the Head Teacher, BrinsworthWhitehillPrimary School

Appendix H            -     Letter from Chair of Governors, BrinsworthWhitehillPrimary School

Appendix I              -     Letter from Clerk to the Governing Body, BrinsworthWhitehillPrimary School

Appendix J            -     Letter from Chair of Governors, BrinsworthWhitehillPrimary School

Appendix K            -     Letter from Member of the Public x 19

Proposals have stood for six weeks.

At the request of SOC Members, Mr. D. Hill reported on the proposal, the consultation undertaken, and addressed the representations/objections relating to the proposal which was set out in the report submitted.

In considering the proposals, members commented on the following:-

(a)                the effect of the proposal on other schools in the area, particularly Brinsworth Whitehill and CatcliffePrimary Schools and possible long-term effects

(b)                the overall situation regarding falling numbers, the resulting implications for the schools concerned particularly for staffing and financial resources

(c)                the impact on voluntary providers (no objections were received from them)

(d)                the timetable for implementing the proposal

Mr. D. Hill referred to the report which was the LEA’s response to the representations made and which covered the above issues prior to the five groups present voting on the proposal.

Following discussion on (d) above, the meeting was informed of discussions held between the LEA and the Head Teacher of Brinsworth Howarth Junior and Infant School regarding the timing of implementing the proposal, the schools group proposed that, should it be agreed, the implementation date be 1st January, 2006. The LEA had no objections to this modification.

The proposal regarding the implementation date was voted upon, three groups abstained and two groups were in favour of the proposal.

The groups then voted upon the proposal regarding the prescribed alteration to BrinsworthHowarth Primary school and the five groups present all voted in favour of the proposal.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposals at Brinsworth Howarth Primary School to make prescribed alteration to the age range at the school from the current age range of 4-11 to 3-11 years to allow younger pupils to be admitted to a Foundation Stage Unit, be agreed, the proposal to be implemented from 1st January, 2006.

(2)  That the Secretary send the appropriate decision letters to objectors, Chairs of Governing Bodies and School Organisation Unit (DfES).