AGENDA ITEM NO. 3(a)

REPORT: Executive Board

DATE: 16 March 2000

REPORTING OFFICER: Director of Education

SUBJECT: Review of School Places – Community High Schools

WARDS: All Runcorn Wards

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To propose the creation of a single community high school in East Runcorn.

2.0 RECOMMENDED That:

(1) a new 11 – 16 community high school be created on the current site of Brookvale High School from September 2001, operating on both Brookvale and Norton High school sites for the first year; and

(2) the LEA publishes the necessary public notices to effect these proposals.

3.0 SUPPORTING INFORMATION

3.1 At the meeting of the Executive Board on 3 February 2000, it was agreed that the LEA should consult with parents, staff, governors and other interested parties about the proposed amalgamation of High School and Brookvale Comprehensive School on the Brookvale site.

3.2 That consultation has taken place and the following documents have been circulated to members of the Board.

i) The consultation document circulated to staff, governors and parents.

ii) The response of the governors of the two schools.

iii) The issues raised at the meetings with staff and parents.

EB3/16/3/8572 3.3 In contrast to previous consultations, almost no correspondence has been received.

4.0 OUTSTANDING ISSUES

4.1 The site

There is still some concern from Norton Priory Governors, Staff and Parents about the preferred site and the ability of the Brookvale site to cater for the numbers.

The report to the last Board (and the consultation document) contains the reasons why the Brookvale site is preferable. They really concern the buildings and the geographic position of the site in the borough.

The rebuild of Brookvale School following the fire means that the new school starts with a significant amount of almost brand new stock. There is sufficient teaching and specialist accommodation for a 5 to 6 form entry (f.e.) high school. A schedule of accommodation for both schools is available for examination by members of the Executive Board.

The position of the Brookvale site as a buffer against the schools is important and while the Norton Priory site does offer an alternative to bound children, the Cheshire threat is of greater significance and is likely to be longer lasting.

4.2 The capacity

A number of people have expressed concern over the capacity of the schools. There is a formula for working out the capacity of schools. As it states in the consultation document, the number of pupil workplaces in each school is shown below:-

Norton Priory 2090 Brookvale 1360

To change this into pupil capacity this must be reduced as you cannot use every space all the time. The pupil capacity is 75% of this number.

For the proposed site this gives a capacity of 1020. There would need to be further reductions to account for children with special educational needs, but the proposed numbers in the school will not reach this level although they will ensure the school is well over 75% full which is the trigger for DfEE concern.

EB3/16/3/8572 In January 2000 the mainstream pupil numbers, including 6 th form, were as follows:-

Norton Priory 521 Brookvale 535

The intention is to move onto one site over a 12 month period from September 2001 to September 2002.

Based on a 5 form entry intake the numbers on each site in 2001/2002 will be approximately as follows:-

Norton Priory 250 – Years 8, 9, 11 Brookvale 630 – Years 8, 9, 11 and amalgamated years 7 & 10

The approximate numbers on the Brookvale site in 2002/2003 will be as follows:-

Brookvale 790 – Years 7 to 11

To these must be added the numbers in the special needs units and a small number of sixth forms.

In the Moderate Learning Difficulty Unit there are likely to be about 40 pupils in 2001/2002, which is likely to reduce to about 30 in 2002/2003. The management of the new school would decide on the appropriate timing to move from the Norton Priory site to the Brookvale site.

In the Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty Units there are 8 children who will still be there in 2001/2002 (4 in the Norton Priory Unit and 4 in the Brookvale Unit). The nature of the unit makes number predictions difficult. It is intended to keep the total number in the unit at the new school at 14 or below, which is the capacity of a single EBD unit.

It can be seen that there is sufficient space at the Brookvale site. The Norton Priory site would still leave a large amount of surplus accommodation if that was the site used.

4.3 Destabilisation

The concerns of parents have rightly focussed on the practical issues as this will affect their children eg class sizes, uniform, different teachers, two groups of children mixing etc. Whilst the LEA will work with both existing schools and the new school to ensure a smooth transfer, a lot of the work will come down to the temporary governing body and the newly appointed Headteacher.

EB3/16/3/8572 For this reason it would be the intention, subject to the public notice and subsequent decisions, to set up this temporary governing body as soon as the final decision is made. Copies of the constitution of the Body are available if wanted.

Reducing the period of uncertainty is likely to ensure that planning for the new school can proceed more effectively.

4.4 Transport

Concern over transport for pupils who live near the Norton Priory site and who will need to go by bus to Brookvale was expressed by governors and parents at Norton Priory.

The Council is intending to bid to the government to be a pilot authority on the operation of discounted child fares to encourage public transport on school journeys. This would aid the concerns of parents who are in this situation.

Whether this is successful or not, there will be a need to work with the bus operators and the staff in Environmental Services to ensure that everything possible is done.

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 The new school gives Halton the best possible opportunity to promote the long term future for high schools in Runcorn.

5.2 The next stage is to publish notices to effect the proposal. These will be open for a period of 2 months and there will then be a further report to this Board.

5.3 It is suggested that relevant people, including pupils, are invited to submit suggestions for the name of the new school.

6.0 POLICY IMPLICATIONS

6.1 These proposals support the review of school places, recognised by OFSTED as good practice, and help the Government and Halton policy of reducing unfilled places.

7.0 OTHER IMPLICATIONS

7.1 There will be some revenue reductions which will enhance resources for all pupils in Halton. Effective management of school places accords with Best Value.

EB3/16/3/8572