Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Strategic Director of the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate that outlined the proposals for Abbey School made in light of Mr. P. Bell’s independent review into Abbey School.

Reports into Abbey School had been considered at the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Children and Education Services held on 8^th December, 2014 (Minute No. F31).  Questions had been asked to the Cabinet Member on 8^th December, 2014, 12^th January, and 16^th February, 2015 (Minute Nos. F29, F36 and F45).  The petition containing 955 and eventually 5,012 signatures against the closure of Abbey School had been considered on 8^th December, 2014, and 16^th February, 2015 (Minute Nos. F30 and F47).  Members of the public and Elected Members had asked questions at the Cabinet on 14^th January, 2015 (Minute Nos. C116 and C117).  Public questions had been asked at the full Council meetings on 10^th December, 2014 and 28^th January, 2015 (Minute Nos. 76 and 94). 

The report outlined how, following Abbey School being placed in Special Measures in the Autumn Term, 2014, a consultation process had been entered into on the proposed closure of the School. 

As a result, an Interim Executive Board (IEB) had been established and a significant number of pupils had been moved to other schools at their parents’ request, or to ensure that their special educational needs were appropriately and safely met. 

Due to the smaller number of students on roll and the IEB working with the School and the Local Authority a safe and more learning-focussed environment had been developed.  In conjunction with Mr. P. Bell’s report, a wider range of options were brought to the Cabinet Member on Abbey School’s future: -

Option One – Closure:-

·           Potential redundancies;

·           Support and assistance for staff at risk, and potential redeployment opportunities for staff where possible to avoid redundancies;

·           Consultation with staff and Trades Unions;

·           Alternative purposes for the School site would need to be considered in line with Department for Education requirements. 

Option Two – Reduction in the number of planned places at the School:-

·           Reductions in the numbers on roll had had positive benefits at the School, so reducing the number of planned places from 105 to 60 could allow recent progress to be sustained and built upon;

·           The School would continue to require significant support to address Ofsted’s concerns;

·           Some staff would potentially be at risk of redundancy as a result of the planned reduction in size, so the considerations around redundancy and redeployment under the ‘closure’ section would still apply;

·           To formally reduce the number of places at Abbey School would require a ‘Prescribed Alteration’ to be carried out;

·           Progress would need to continue to be robustly monitored on a termly basis until all agencies were satisfied that there had been sufficient progress and the School could move towards a Good or Outstanding Ofsted profile;

·           It was proposed that there would be a defined level of SEN need in the medium range;

·           There was sufficient provision across the Borough. 

Option Three – Amalgamation:-

·           A permanent amalgamation between Abbey School and a neighbouring School in a reasonable distance that was at least Good or Outstanding could be formalised;

·           This would involve a ‘Prescribed Alteration’ to pupil numbers, designation, age-range and other factors;

·           This would involve the closure of Abbey School as an education establishment in its own right. 

Option Four – Academisation:-

·         A sponsoring academy to take over control of the School could be sought by the Local Authority;

·         This option could be instructed by the Department of Education;

·         This would involve a time period to ensure all due diligence and approvals were gained;

·         It could prove difficult to attract a suitable sponsor. 

Option Five – Retain the School as is:-

·           It would be difficult to adequately address  all of the concerns outlined by Ofsted in an appropriate timescale;

·           There would be continuing concerns about safety and quality of provision. 

The independent report of Mr. P. Bell, External Consultant, was appended to the main report.  This report noted that Mr. Bell was an Executive Headteacher of two Outstanding Special Schools, a sponsor of a large mainstream Primary School, a National Leader of Education and a current Additional Inspector for Ofsted.  The contents of the report included: -

·           Context;

·           Brief;

·           Methodology;

·           Detailed report of findings;

·           Summary of findings;

·           Recommendations. 

The Strategic Director felt that it would be inappropriate at this time to close Abbey School in light of the outcomes reported by the External Consultant.  It had been a sound decision to appoint Winterhill and all parties had set out with the best of faith intending to make the partnership a success.  Unfortunately this had not happened.  Children and young people had lost out due to the failures at Abbey School over a number of years and, moving forward, it would be important to ensure that the School, and children and young people there, made rapid progress.  An Ofsted inspection grade of Good or Outstanding would be expected. 

Councillor Roche confirmed his support for Option number 2 and the recommendations within the report.  He stated that he hoped that progress against recommendations C, D and E relating to development of an action plan, the orderly dissolution of the Winterhill Partnership and plans to federate/work closely with another highly performing special school would be initiated without delay. 

The Strategic Director confirmed that these actions would be started with a sense of urgency and he expected to be able to report back within two-months at the most.  

A member of the public with links to the NUT spoke about the importance he placed on Abbey School retaining their identity. 

Councillor Beaumont thanked all parities for their attendance and contribution to the meeting. 

Resolved: -  (1)  That the report be received and the information within it noted. 

(2)  That the following be approved and actioned in relation to Option Two presented within the submitted report:-

(a)  Cessation of the current Pre-Statutory Consultation process and for the school to remain open;

(b)  To commence a period of Statutory Consultation by the posting of a public notice in relation to revised proposals for Abbey School remaining open to cater for a reduced number of 60           pupils with a specified range of low to moderate-level special needs;

(c)  The development of an action plan to deliver a medium-term balanced budget;

(d)  The orderly dissolution of the Winterhill partnership;

(e)  The establishing of plans to federate/work closely in partnership with a highly performing special school.