Review of Secondary Education Provision in the Mid and North West of Pembrokeshire
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REVIEW OF SECONDARY EDUCATION PROVISION IN THE MID AND NORTH WEST OF PEMBROKESHIRE CONSULTATION REPORT July 2015 Published by: Pembrokeshire County Council Children & Schools Directorate County Hall Haverfordwest SA61 1TP July 2015 For a copy of this publication in Braille, in larger print or audio tape, or an alternative language, please contact Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 776613 Foreword Pembrokeshire County Council is responsible for promoting high educational standards and for delivering efficient primary and secondary education. Having the right schools in the right places and ensuring that they are fit for the 21st century learner is considered central to this and is a challenge facing councils across Wales. Meeting this challenge involves reviewing the number and type of school the Council has in its area and assessing whether or not best use is being made of these schools to deliver effective education to meet the needs and aspirations of learners in Pembrokeshire. The Council reviews its education provision on the basis of: · Quality and future sustainability of education delivery · Sufficiency and accessibility of school places · The condition, suitability and standard of school buildings · Value for money This Consultation Report sets out the statutory consultation undertaken regarding the case for change to the secondary education provision in the Mid and North West of Pembrokeshire. All comments and responses received during the consultation period have been recorded, and have been collated and summarised in this document. Acknowledgement or rebuttal of received comments and responses has been included (as appropriate). Some concerns expressed have informed suggested alterations to the proposal, where considered beneficial to the majority of learners. Pembrokeshire County Council will consider this Consultation Report in its meeting on 16 July 2015. Sue Perkins Cabinet Spokesperson for Education and Safeguarding Contents 1. Executive Summary and Recommendations 1 2. Introduction 7 3. Distribution of Consultation Report 8 4. Consultation Arrangements 9 4.1 Consultation with the Tasker Milward & Picton Charity 4.2 Consultation Document 4.3 Consultation Meetings & Public Information sessions 4.4 Consultation with Children & Young People 5. Consultation Correspondence 12 5.1 Volume & Profile of responses received 5.2 Response from Estyn 5.3 Alternative proposals 6. Consultation Responses 17 6.1 General consensus 6.2 Issues / Concerns raised by consultees 6.3 Issues raised in relation to alternative proposals 6.4 Issues raised by Estyn Appendix A 45 Correspondence in relation to the Tasker Milward and Picton Charity Appendix B 64 B1 – Press Releases & Publicity B2 – Powerpoint presentation Appendix C 79 School Council Conferences Appendix D 109 Consultation with Estyn 1. Executive Summary and Conclusion Communities in Pembrokeshire engaged enthusiastically and effectively with the statutory consultation process for the Review of Secondary Education Provision in the Mid and North West of Pembrokeshire. Officers wish to thank all who have given their views, many of which have been cogent arguments for or against the proposal. As might be expected there were a number of conflicting and mutually exclusive responses but clear feedback in a number of areas has allowed us to begin to adapt, refine and alter our proposals to better meet the needs of learners and communities in Pembrokeshire. We are grateful to everyone who responded for their participation and ideas for improving the outcomes for children in Pembrokeshire. 1.1 Key Outcomes Key outcomes from the consultation are: 1.1.1 Site for 11-16 Haverfordwest School Issues raised by consultees concerning optimising site advantages included the need to: · Maintain and improve mainstream experiences for Portfield School pupils and make best use of Portfield School in supporting those children with ALN who are in mainstream education. · Maintain, improve and develop the good sports facilities on both Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward sites to the best use of all children. · Improve the facilities in schools so that they are of benefit to the wider community · Ensure that pupils of compulsory school age and above are able to participate in extra-curricular activities beyond the school day. · Maximise the benefit of proximity to Pembrokeshire College. The Recommendations section of this Executive Summary sets out how the proposal could be adapted to take on board the suggestions made by these respondents without diluting the vision set out in the Case for Change. 1.1.2 A Sixth Form Centre for the 21st Century A large number of responses were received from consultees aligning themselves with the “Schools for the Future – Fishguard Community Plan” and the “Ysgol Dewi Sant and Schools Future” group. Alternative proposals were submitted by each of these groups. The views expressed support for the proposal in general terms and the groups demonstrated an understanding of the Case for Change and the need to find a solution that best meets the needs of all pupils. 1 Their comprehensive responses included alternative proposals for an amended model allowing sixth form students in the north of Pembrokeshire to access some of their sixth form courses from Ysgol Dewi Sant (YDS) and Ysgol Bro Gwaun (YBG) utilising an improved and fit for purpose ICT infrastructure and system. Their proposals address issues that are common to many rural and sparse geographical areas, are well considered and are suitable for further development. The Recommendations section of this Executive Summary sets out how the proposal could be adapted to take on board the suggestions made by these respondents without diluting the vision set out in the Case for Change. 1.1.3 Single 11-16 English Medium School in Haverfordwest There is general support that there should be one secondary school in Haverfordwest following the closure of Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward with most concerns in opposition to the removal of a school-based sixth form. In relation to the proposed change in school catchment areas, it is clear that the Burton and Llangwm areas have a greater affinity with Haverfordwest. The Recommendations section of this Executive Summary sets out how the proposal could be adapted to take on board the suggestions made by these respondents without diluting the vision set out in the Case for Change. 1.1.4 Retention of School Sixth Forms The findings arising from the statutory consultation provide compelling evidence that there is a strong level of opposition to the proposal to remove school based sixth forms and to create a new Sixth Form Centre, and a range of reasons for not doing so have been strongly voiced. These include: · The loss of the supporting role that sixth formers play in the rest of their school – role models, mentors, events and extracurricular activity supporters. · The loss of the role that sixth formers play in the personal and social development of KS3 and KS4 pupils. · Concerns that the proposal removes some element of choice for sixth formers. · Additional pressures put on sixth formers through protracted travel times. · The erosion of teaching standards brought about by the limited opportunities for secondary school teachers for career development. Based on the evidence collected in preparation of the proposal it is considered that the advantages in having a separate Sixth Form Centre far outweigh the disadvantages for the majority of pupils in Pembrokeshire as set out in section 6.2 of this report. However a number of concerns expressed can be addressed or partially addressed through refinements to the proposal and these are set out in the Recommendations section below. The removal of school sixth form provision is clearly emotive, as is evidenced from responses received, and this single issue is a basis for the majority of 2 negative feedback and criticism over the proposal. Other than this concern, many elements of the proposal gain support as can be evidenced by examining the qualitative analysis of responses. 1.1.5 Identity of Sixth Form Centre In addition to the points raised under 1.1.4 above, many concerns were voiced expressly concerning the relationship between the proposed Sixth Form Centre and Pembrokeshire College. These included: · Concerns over children transitioning to a “campus based” environment. · Concerns over lack of pastoral support as students were not working with “known teachers” · Pembrokeshire College having a monopoly over post-16 education · Concerns over the suitability of Pembrokeshire College to host sixth form provision in terms of both environment (an unstructured campus environment) and standards (A-level results and expertise in A-level delivery). · Concern over the lack of clarity in Governance arrangements · Concern that the proposal favours Pembrokeshire College in order to address financial and logistical shortfalls partly brought about by the new Pembroke Learning Campus. The Recommendations section of this Executive Summary sets out how the proposal could be adapted to allay many of the concerns voiced by these respondents without diluting the vision set out in the Case for Change. 1.1.6 ALN Provision A range of positive feedback in relation to enhanced collaborative working between Portfield School and the new 11-16 English Medium School has been received. Proposals in relation to ALN generally, are widely supported with recognition that the proposal will sufficiently meet the needs of pupils with additional learning needs within