REPORT to the CABINET 19 May 2015
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REPORT TO THE CABINET 19 May 2015 Cabinet Member: Councillor Gareth Thomas Subject: The Future of Education Provision in Y Gader Catchment Area Contact Officer: Iwan T Jones – Corporate Director Decision sought i. Implement the proposal to close Ysgol Y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Brithdir, Ysgol Machreth (Llanfachreth), Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd, Ysgol Friog, Ysgol y Clogau (Bontddu) and Ysgol Ganllwyd on 31 August 2017 and establish a community Catchment Area All Through School for 3-16 year olds on the existing sites of Ysgol Y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd and Ysgol Friog, on 1 September 2017. ii. As a result of the importance of appointing a head teacher and the need for him/her to be appointed in advance, approve the establishment of a shadow governing body during the Summer Term of 2015 and finance the head teacher of the All-through Catchment School from the scheme savings as soon as possible. Local members’ views Any observations by the Local Members will be presented at the meeting. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Council has been implementing the Excellent Primary Education for the Children of Gwynedd strategy since it was adopted in April 2009. On 9 October 2012, the Cabinet decided on a 'Priorities Plan – Reorganisation of Education Provision’ based on this strategy. 1.2 In accordance with the Excellent Primary Education for Children in Gwynedd Strategy, there have been discussions regarding the provision of education in Y Gader catchment area, Dolgellau since 2010. 1.3 A report was submitted to the Cabinet on July 16 2013 which explained the vision for the catchment area. The essence of the outline vision would be to aim for ensuring the following outcomes: • The same opportunities and experiences for all pupils in the catchment area • More consistency across the entire catchment area • Better continuity across the age range • Opportunities to share staff expertise and more opportunities in terms of professional development • Wider opportunities to coordinate public services especially support for families • Strengthening the education provision across the catchment area and set the foundations for collaboration, joint planning and joint development in the future There is an aspiration to ensure robust and sustainable education provision in the entire catchment area and across all sectors. This will involve considering the rationalisation of the number, nature and status of the schools in some parts of the catchment area. In realising the vision in full it will mean that it will be possible to strengthen the education provision in Y Gader catchment area. 1.4 In December 2013 a report was submitted to Cabinet in which approval was given to looking at the catchment area as a whole, in accordance with the following recommendations: i. To confirm extending the work in order to create a range of models which will serve the catchment area in its entirety, with the aim of putting before the Cabinet specific recommendations for statutory consultation in accordance with Section 48 of the Schools Standards and Organisation Act 2013. ii. To give authority to undertake an assessment in order to identify and measure the need within the catchment area for education provision of a specific category and designation as part of, and to meet the requirements of, the process of identifying recommendations in accordance with i. above. iii. To consider the possible financial implications and the options for meeting those implications and thus guarantee that any further requirements for implementing this plan are included in the review of the asset management plan. iv. Since the Church Voluntary Schools come within the remit of the process, delegate to the Cabinet Member for Education the task of conducting a pre- consultation with the Church if necessary, in accordance with the Schools Organisation Code 2013 requirements, before submitting a further report to the Cabinet on the favoured option, requesting permission to undertake a statutory consultation period on this option. 1.5 In September 2014 a report was submitted to the Cabinet in which the following recommendations were approved: i. To undertake a process of statutory consultation in accordance with the requirements of Section 48 of the Schools Framework Standards Act 2013 to close Ysgol y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Brithdir, Ysgol Machreth (Llanfachreth), Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd, Ysgol Friog, Ysgol y Clogau (Bontddu) and Ysgol Ganllwyd on 31 August 2017. ii. To undertake a process of statutory consultation in accordance with the requirements of Section 48 of the Schools Framework Standards Act 2013 on the preferred option, namely to establish a community catchment area All Through School for 3-16 year olds on the existing sites of Ysgol y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd and Ysgol Friog, on 1 September 2017. 1.6 The Gader Catchment Review Panel (CRP) was established in April 2010 and seven meetings were held. There were representatives from each school on the Panel, head teacher, chair of governors and parent-governors. Invitations were also sent to the Local Members and to a representative from the Church in Wales (Diocese of Bangor) and a representative from Coleg Llandrillo Menai. 1.7 The Panel received and discussed a wide range of evidence including school statistics, financial background, information about developments on a national level (including the Government's guidance on dealing with school reorganisation proposals) and new regulations on establishing collaboration/federation patterns between schools. 1.8 A Catchment Review Panel was held in May 2014 in which background work based on the entire catchment area was submitted. This included a long list of models based on the catchment area, the proposed way forward (the current direction) and an explanation of the statutory processes. 1.9 An important context is the capital investment available for the catchment area. Since discussions have commenced in this catchment – a programme of capital investment was adopted by the Welsh Government known as the Twenty First Century Schools Programme. As part of this programme, £3.6million has been earmarked for Y Gader Catchment Area, a sum which has been approved in principle. Comprehensive business cases will have to be submitted to attract the funding. Detailed consideration needs to be given to the best use of the investment and as discussed in the Cabinet report of December 2013, as the whole catchment is being discussed, any additional financial needs will be included as part of the review of the asset management plan. 2 STATUTORY CONSULTATION PERIOD 2.1 In accordance with the statutory requirements of the School Organisation Code (006/2013) and the Schools Standards and Organisation Act 2013, a period of statutory consultation on the proposal was held with relevant consultees between 10 October and 1pm on 24 November 2014. 2.2 A statutory consultation document was prepared, in accordance with the requirements and guidance of the Schools Organisation Code (006/2013) and the document was distributed to relevant consultees. The document and all background documents can be seen on the Council’s website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/trefniadaethysgolion . 2.3 82 responses to the statutory consultation were received including responses from pupils, staff, governors and individual parents, as well as several bodies. 2.4 In November 2014, two open days were held in Glan Wnion Leisure Centre, Dolgellau. There was an exhibition of the information contained in the consultation document and officers from relevant departments (e.g. education, property, personnel etc.) were available to explain and respond to enquiries. There was also an opportunity to have copies of any documentation and to submit written observations. Over 100 people attended these open days. 2.5 A consultation document and questionnaire were created for primary and secondary pupils. A specialist facilitator was arranged to visit all the schools in order to hold sessions with the pupils to seek their opinions. 2.6 During the consultation period, a response was received from Estyn which noted that the proposal was “likely to maintain and possibly improve the existing standards of the educational provision” in the catchment area. A response was also received from Llandrillo Menai Group which noted that the proposal was “sensible and sustainable" and gave its official support to the development. The Council is pleased to have had this support from these educational establishments. 2.7 On 13 January 2015, a report was submitted to the Cabinet containing all the observations received during the consultation period. At the meeting, it was resolved to: i. To approve the proposal to close Ysgol y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Brithdir, Ysgol Machreth (Llanfachreth), Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd, Ysgol Friog, Ysgol y Clogau (Bontddu) and Ysgol Ganllwyd on 31 August 2017 and establish a Community Catchment Area All Through School for 3-16 year olds on the existing sites of Ysgol y Gader, Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau, Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd (Rhydymain), Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy, Ysgol Llanelltyd and Ysgol Friog on 1 September 2017. ii. To approve publishing statutory notices on the proposal in (i) above in accordance with the requirements of Section