OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION DATE OF DECISION: 14 July 2014 Officer Post Designation Mr Robert Sully Director of Education & Children’s Services SUBJECT: Proposal to discontinue Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School PURPOSE: It is recommended that the Executive Officer: 1. Reconsiders the proposal following the issue of the Statutory Notice to discontinue Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School. 2. Having considered any responses to the Statutory Proposal, proceeds with the closure of Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School on 31 August 2014, as outlined in detail in the Statutory Notice issued on 14 May 2014. DECISION MADE: Signed: Robert Sully DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION Reason(s) for decision: This matter has been considered with the responsibilities delegated to the Executive Officer, by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Full Council and in accordance the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. Conclusion Only after careful consideration has the decision been made to approve the proposal set out in the published notice. In reaching this decision a number of matters have been taken into account, in particular the significant fall in pupil numbers; the associated affect on education provision, high cost of running the school and the condition of the building:- Objections to the proposal No objections were received. Standards of education provision It has been noted the educational standards and quality at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School are good and will not be compromised at Ysgol Rhys Prichard, Llandovery. This is confirmed in the most recent Estyn inspection carried out at Ysgol Rhys Prichard in March 2014, where the school was judged to be ‘Good’ in all its 3 key areas which translates to ‘Many strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement’. It is also considered that the proposal will provide more opportunities for pupils who will have access to greater number of teachers with a wide range of subject specialisms. It is also acknowledged that pupils at Ysgol Rhys Prichard will receive at least the equivalent quality of diversity at a lower cost than would have been available at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School. It is noted that the proposal will give pupils the opportunity to interact with their peers and to take part in a wider range of sporting, social and cultural interaction and activities that depend on large group and team playing. The proposal is also sustainable due to the larger size of cohorts at Ysgol Rhys Prichard. Standards of building provision The standards of accommodation were also compared and it is noted that the pupils transferring from Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School will benefit from better facilities at Ysgol Rhys Prichard. A survey carried out by Welsh Government in November 2009 for ‘Building Condition’ found that Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School was banded in the worst category, Band D - ‘Bad – Life Expired’, compared to Band B ‘Satisfactory’ when the same survey was carried out for Ysgol Rhys Prichard in December 2009. A ‘Suitability’ survey of the building was also carried out by Welsh Government which reported that Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION School was ‘Poor – Teaching methods inhibited’ (Band C). These issues were further highlighted in the school’s last Estyn inspection in May 2012, when it reported that ‘The school is located in an old building which is lacking in basic facilities. Some aspects are of an inappropriate standard’. The same ‘Suitability’ assessment carried out at Ysgol Rhys Prichard categorised the school in the highest group, Band A – ‘Good – Suitable levels for Teaching, Learning and Well Being in Schools’. Standards of special education needs (SEN) provision Consideration was given to the effect of the proposal on pupils with special education needs (SEN). It was noted that the quality of support and provision with SEN at Ysgol Rhys Prichard is very good and enables them to achieve their full potential. It was therefore concluded that SEN pupils would be no compromised as a result of this proposal. Need for places and the impact on accessibility of schools It is noted that there is a high level of surplus places at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School, resulting in high costs per pupil. The closure of the school will result in the removal of 46 surplus places. The parents who live within the catchment of Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School have already chosen to send their children to be educated at schools other than their local school. Therefore the current situation is not sustainable. Projections show that there will be sufficient space for future cohorts at Ysgol Rhys Prichard. Travel Assessment The proposal will not result in pupils travelling further to school as pupils have already transferred to other schools. Finance It is considered that due to the previously low pupil numbers at the school and since September 2013 no pupils at all, the average cost for educating pupils at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School is considerably higher than the average for other schools. This reaffirms the authority’s case for making cost efficiencies. Views of interested parties Due to no objections being received for this proposal, it is suggested that this proposal has not led to widespread concern. Considerations of alternatives Several options have been considered over the years for the school, including amalgamation and federation. However, due to the decreasing numbers on roll in recent years and the necessity for a rapid solution, the proposal to discontinue the school and transfer the catchment to Ysgol Rhys Prichard is considered to be the appropriate option. OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION Impact on the Community It is appreciated that the closure of the school is a loss to the area; however, it believes that the correct course of action has been undertaken as it is no longer sustainable to continue to provide educational provision at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School. The school building is owned by the Church of Wales. It is understood that the building is still being utilised by the community despite there being no pupils at the school. It is hoped that the community can continue with this arrangement after the school has closed. The Effect on other Schools in the area It is noted that on the implementation of the proposal the catchment area of Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School will be redesignated and included within the catchment of Ysgol Rhys Prichard. Pupils from this area will be able to attend Ysgol Rhys Prichard or make an application for admission to another school. The nearest alternative school is Ysgol Llanwrda, Llanwrda, which has 62 surplus places. The school’s last Estyn inspection in January 2010 noted that the quality of teaching met their targets. Should parents wish their children to attend a school offering the same Voluntary Controlled Church in Wales character as is being provided at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School, their nearest school would be Llanllwni Voluntary Controlled Primary school, Llanllwni, Pencader, which has 22 surplus places. It was noted in the school’s last Estyn inspection in January 2013 that the quality of teaching was above Estyn targets. The Effect on the Welsh Language Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School categorises itself as a Welsh Medium school. Although Ysgol Rhys Prichard categorises itself as a Dual Stream school, the Welsh Medium Stream at the school will be able to provide the same level of Welsh Medium provision as is being provided at Cilycwm Voluntary Controlled Primary School. It is therefore concluded that this proposal has no implications for the Welsh Language. Admission Number at Ysgol Rhys Prichard It is noted that there is sufficient capacity at Ysgol Rhys Prichard to accommodate this proposal. The admission number for the school is 38 and the number of pupils on roll is 162. There are currently 108 surplus places at the school. The effect on Equality The equality impact assessment carried out has concluded that the proposal would have a positive effect in that it would provide an opportunity for educational enrichment; improve disabled access. It concluded that the effect on the proposal will be none other than beneficial. OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION IMPLICATIONS Policy and Legal Finance ICT Risk People Physical Crime & Management Management & Assets Disorder Issues Performance YES YES YES NONE YES YES YES 1. Policy and Crime & Disorder Developments are consistent with the Authority’s Corporate Strategy, Children and Young People’s Plan and the Modernising Education Strategic Outline Programme. 2. Legal Appropriate consultation will need to be initiated in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures. 3. Finance Revenue implications will be catered for within the Local Management of Schools Fair Funding Scheme. 4. ICT None. 5. Risk Management Issues Continuing with current inadequate provision would see current problems being perpetuated with the education of children in the area being placed at unacceptable risk and the County Council failing to meet WG target that all buildings should be of an appropriate standard. 6. People Management & Performance Staffing implications will be addressed in accordance with the County Council’s Redeployment Policy and Procedures. 7. Physical Assets One redundant school building. Should the proposal be adopted the redundant school building would revert back under the ownership of the Church in Wales. OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION OFFICER’S EXECUTIVE DECISION CONSULTATIONS I confirm that the appropriate consultations have taken in place and the outcomes are as detailed below Signed: G. Morgans Head of Governance & Inclusion S. Davies School Modernisation Manager 1. Scrutiny Committee Not applicable. 2.Local Member(s) Local Member Cllr. Thomas Theophilus is aware of the proposal and has been formally consulted prior and during the statutory notice period.