Directorate of Education and Lifelong LearningCyfadran Addysg a Dysgu Gydol Oes ______

Abertysswg / Replacement Primary School

Consultation Document

Directorate of Education & Lifelong Learning

November 2014

Changing Lives, Building FuturesNewid Bywydau, Creu Dyfodol

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Table of Contents

Heading Page(s) 21st Century Schools 3 Introduction – Explanation of the consultation exercise 3 What will the consultation process entail? 3 Who will we consult with? 4 How to make your views known 5 Proposed timescales 5 What do you have to consider? 5 The way forward and the reasons why 6 Progress to date 7 Consultation to date 7-8 The Proposal / Summary 8 Background to the Proposal 9-14 Details of schools in the Upper Valley 15 Details of the new school 16-18 Pupils with Additional Learning Needs/Special Educational Needs 19 Alternative option considered 19 Impact on other schools in the Upper 19 Quality and Standards 19 Advantages of a 3-18 Campus with a distinct primary school 20 Accommodation 20 Class Sizes 21 Implementation dates and details of transition arrangements 21 Revenue Savings/costs 21 Capital Costs 21 Admission Arrangements 21 Transport Arrangements 22 What will the proposal mean for school staff? 22 Impact Assessment 22 Welsh Language Impact Assessment 22-23 Equality Impact Assessment 23 Options Appraisal 23 Likely benefits to children and young people 23-24 Advantages of the proposal 24 Disadvantages of the proposal 25 Surplus Places 25 Impact of the proposed new primary school 26 Integrated Children’s Centre 26 Pupil distribution 27 Catchment areas 27 A change to the way School Organisation Proposals are determined 27 What is the statutory process to close a school? 28

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21st Century Schools

Council, at its meeting on 3rd November 2011, agreed the submission of revised bid proposals for Band A (2014-2020), amounting to £92m, as follows:

- Former St. Ilan site Welsh-medium (Priority 1) - Rhymney 3-18 (Priority 2) - Secondary Rationalisation (Priority 3)

The Minister for Education and Skills made an announcement on 5th December 2011. All Band A bids across the 22 Local Authorities were supported, including our £92m bid outlined above. The period of Band A was then extended from 6 years (2014-2020) to 7 years (2014-2021) to make these bids affordable.

The specific Rhymney 3-18 bid proposal involved closing Primary, Pontlottyn Primary and possibly Primary schools and replacing them with a brand new build, on the Rhymney Comprehensive School site.

Introduction – Explanation of the consultation exercise

As part of the wider 21st Century Schools programme across , Council (CCBC) have developed a Primary and Secondary Rationalisation Programme which aims to remove surplus places and improve the building stock in order that provision is enhanced.

The purpose of this consultation exercise is to seek views on rationalising 2 existing primary schools into 1 new one, namely Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools into 1 new Primary school.

What will the consultation process entail?

The consultation process represents an opportunity for people to learn about the proposal, ask questions and make comments that will be recorded and considered when the Council decides on the way forward. You may also provide your views in writing.

The consultation will involve a series of meetings and drop-in sessions with those most directly affected by the proposal, where Council officers will be on hand to explain the proposals in more detail and answer any questions.

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Who will we consult with?

 Parents, Guardians and carers of all pupils of schools directly affected by the proposal  Headteacher, staff and governors of schools directly affected by the proposal  Pupils/Pupil Councils of schools directly affected by the proposal  Staff and governors of schools directly affected by the proposal  Headteachers of all schools in CCBC area  All CCBC Members  Welsh Ministers  All CCBC Town and Community Councils  All CCBC Welsh Government Members, including regional AM’s  All Members of Parliament representing CCBC area  All CCBC Libraries  Directors of Education of all bordering LAs – Blaenau , , , Newport, Powys, RCT, Torfaen  Principals of Coleg Y Cymoedd & Coleg Gwent  Families First Board  CCBC Youth Forum  Communities First Development Officer  GAVO  Caerphilly Governors Association  Careers Wales  Teaching Associations  Support Staff Associations  Head of Performance & Property Services (CCBC)  Policy Officer (Equalities & Welsh Language)  Welsh Language Board  Urdd Gobaith Cymru  Welsh Government – Schools & Post-16 Divisions  ESTYN  RHAG  Catholic Diocesan Board of Education  Regular community users of schools directly affected by the proposal  Education for Life Scrutiny Committee  South East Wales Consortium  South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA)  and Crime Commissioner  Independent Nursery Providers

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How do you make your views known?

Consultation events will be held and you are welcome to attend the appropriate meeting / drop-in session.

Consultation meeting Date/Time Venue Rhymney Comprehensive School Thursday 27 November Drop-In Session for pupils and staff 12.00noon – 2.00p.m. Rhymney Comprehensive Drop-In Session for parents/carers 2.00p.m. – 5.00p.m. School Governing Body Meeting 5.00p.m. – 7.00p.m. Public/Community Meeting 7.00p.m. Abertysswg Primary School Thursday 11 December Drop-In Session for pupils and staff 12.00noon – 2.00p.m. Abertysswg Primary School Drop-In Session for parents/carers 2.00p.m. – 5.30p.m. Governing Body Meeting 5.30p.m. Pontlottyn Primary School Monday 15 December Drop-In Session for pupils and staff 1.00p.m. – 2.00p.m. Pontlottyn Primary School Drop-In Session for parents/carers 2.00p.m. – 5.30p.m. Governing Body Meeting 5.30p.m.

A response pro forma is attached, it will also be available at the drop-in sessions detailed above and on the Council’s internet site at http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk and it should be returned to Julian Williams, Senior Officer (Admissions, Exclusions & Planning of School Places), Directorate of Education & Lifelong Learning, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Penallta House, Tredomen Park, , CF82 7PG. Alternatively comments can be forwarded electronically by e-mail to [email protected]. The deadline for responses is Friday 31st December 2015. Social media facilities such as Twitter and Facebook will also be available.

Following consultation, CCBC’s Cabinet will consider the views expressed and then decide whether to proceed with the proposal. If the decision is taken to proceed, a statutory notice will be published in the media, on our website and displayed at schools affected by the proposal. The statutory notice will last for 1 month from the date of publication and enables people to express their views in the form of supporting or objecting to the proposals.

CCBC’s Cabinet will make the final decision whether to proceed, unless the decision is called in for review by the Welsh Government.

Proposed Timescales:

WAY FORWARD DATE Formal Consultation Process 17th November 2014 to 31st December 2014 Cabinet consider the results of 4th February 2015 the Consultation Publication of Statutory Notice 2nd March 2015 to 30th March 2015 Final Decision by Cabinet June 2015

What do you have to consider?

The remainder of the consultation document sets out the rationale for the proposed change to primary education provision for the communities of Abertysswg and Pontlottyn. We would like you to consider the information contained within this document and to hear your views as to whether or not you support the proposal to close Abertysswg Primary School and Pontlottyn Primary School, with the transfer of its pupils to a new primary school on the Rhymney Comprehensive School site.

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The way forward and the reasons why

The Welsh Government (WG) has a long-term investment programme that will create a generation of 21st Century Schools. The Welsh Government, in collaboration with local government, will deliver through the 21st Century Schools programme:

• Learning environments for children and young people in Wales aged 3 to 19 that will enable the successful implementation of strategies for school improvement and better educational outcomes; • A sustainable education system through better use of resources to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the education estate, and which enhances local public service provision; and • A 21st Century Schools Standard for all schools in Wales which reduces recurrent costs, energy consumption and carbon emissions.

For further information on 21st Century Schools visit:

http://21stcenturyschools.org

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Progress to Date

The Upper Rhymney Valley area is one of high social deprivation. CCBC has invested significantly in school buildings in the area in recent years, namely:

• 2 substantial extensions to Rhymney Comprehensive School with a total of 30 demountable classrooms being removed from the site. • New replacement Bryn Awel Primary School built, replacing the former Lower Rhymney Primary School. • New White Rose Primary School built, replacing the former Cymsyfiog, Elliottown and Tirphil Primary Schools. • Additional fit for purpose classroom accommodation provided for Ysgol Y Lawnt, combined with improved internal modifications.

Consultation to date

An informal consultative process commenced in the Autumn term 2012 with local representatives of the schools originally proposed to be affected (Abertysswg Primary, Fochriw Primary, Pontlottyn Primary and Rhymney Comprehensive) on the specific 3-18 proposal. A number of issues/concerns were raised.

A Fochriw Stakeholder Group was established and it was agreed to circulate the community to establish its views in relation to this proposal. Questionnaires were sent to all Fochriw occupants on 4th July 2014 enclosing a pre-paid envelope for the return of the questionnaire.

In total, 529 questionnaires were distributed, of which 1 was returned as ‘Address Not Known’.

111 Questionnaires were returned by the deadline date which is a 21.0% return rate.

Of the 111 Questionnaires returned, 16 agreed with the proposal (14.4%) and 95 did not agree with the proposal (85.6%).

The top 3 reasons for agreeing were:

1. Will have a state of the art school - 10 2. Will have better facilities – 9 3. Will receive a better education – 9

The top 3 reasons for not agreeing were:

1. Transport in adverse weather conditions or when child is ill and needs to be collected – 60 2. Transport of young children – 50 3. Affect on / loss of community – 48

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On 29th October 2014, Members resolved that as a consequence of the outcome of the consultation, Fochriw Primary School should not be included in this proposal.

Given the low pupil numbers, both current and projected, for Fochriw Primary, it is proposed to actively pursue federated arrangements for the school in the future.

As regards Abertysswg, separate meetings were convened with the ‘Save Abertysswg School’ Committee and the School Governing Body. A mixed response was received from the meetings and the main concerns expressed were:

 Greater distance to walk to school, often in adverse weather.  Loss of community identity, without school as main focus.  Potential impact on Flying Start, e.g. Fochriw and Abertysswg have it, but Pontlottyn do not.  After use of existing school building.

The Proposal / Summary

The Proposal is summarised as follows:

• The closure of Abertysswg and Pontlottyn primary schools. • A new build primary school on the Rhymney Comprehensive School site. • New provision of an Integrated Children’s Centre. • The proposed implementation date for the proposal is January 2017.

NB. There will be separate management arrangements for the Primary and Secondary schools on the site.

Welsh Government Banding

In February 2012, the Minister for Education and Skills set out the case for improvement and a clear set of actions, of which banding was one, to drive forward his improvement agenda.

The secondary model uses four groups of data:

 Level 2 threshold, including English/Welsh and Mathematics  Capped points score  Attendance  English/Welsh and Mathematics average pint scores.

Rhymney Comprehensive School had a WG Banding of ‘3’ in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The WG recently announced a new ‘traffic light’ system of banding schools for the future.

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Background to the Proposal

Information on the schools contained within the Abertysswg / Pontlottyn Replacement primary school proposal.

One secondary school and 2 primary schools are directly affected by the proposal. Their details are:

1. Rhymney Comprehensive School

Address: Mill Field, Abertysswg, Rhymney, NP22 5XF Age Range: 11-18 Category of School: Community Language Medium: English MCSW Capacity figure: 1185 Admission Number: 209 Number on roll (September 2013): 816

Pupil numbers for the last 4 years and future pupil projections:

Rhymney Comprehensive School

1300

1200

1100

1000

900 Number on Roll on Number 800

700

600 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 No. on Roll 939 934 885 847 816 790 765 753 740 760 781 782 786 777 738 Capacity 1133 1133 1133 1133 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185 1185

Rhymney Comprehensive School was built in 1983 and had an extension in 2012. It has 3 buildings.

Overall Property Condition C (Poor - Teaching methods inhibited) Sustainability B (Good or Above Average) Suitability B (Reasonable) DDA Rating B 25 Year Maintenance £4,377,870 Surplus Places September 2013 369 (31.1%) 3rd highest of 13 English medium Secondary Surplus Places Projected September 2023 447 (37.7%) 5th highest of 13 English medium Secondary Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Quartile – 1st (Secondary) Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Ranking – Highest out of 14

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2. Abertysswg Primary School

Address: Walter Street, Abertysswg, Rhymney, NP22 5AQ Age Range: 3-11 Category of School: Community Language Medium: English MCSW Capacity figure: 146 Admission Number: 20 Number on roll excluding nursery pupils (September 2013): 108 Number of nursery pupils (September 2013): 17

Pupil numbers, excluding nursery, for the last 4 years and future pupil projections:

Abertysswg Primary School

160

150

140

130

Number on Roll on Number 120

110

100 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 No. on Roll 132 127 123 117 125 134 131 135 127 125 123 Excl Nursery 109 111 107 107 108 111 119 120 112 110 108 Capacity 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 146

Abertysswg Primary School was built in 1903. It has 1 building.

Overall Property Condition B (Satisfactory – Minor Deterioration) Sustainability C (Poor) Suitability C (Poor – Teaching methods inhibited) DDA Rating D 25 Year Maintenance £571,527 Surplus Places September 2013 38 (26.0%) 10th highest of 64 English medium Primary Surplus Places Projected September 2019 38 (26.0%) 15th highest of 64 English medium Primary Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Quartile – 2nd (Primary) Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Ranking – 33rd highest out of 75 Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Classrooms 16.7% (1 in 6 classrooms) Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Hall 65.6% Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Site 64.6%

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3. Pontlottyn Primary School

Address: Fochriw Road, Pontlottyn, , CF81 9QH Age Range: 3-11 Category of School: Community Language Medium: English MCSW Capacity figure: 137 Admission Number: 19 Number on roll excluding nursery pupils (September 2013): 102 Number of nursery pupils (September 2013): 7

Pupil numbers, excluding nursery, for the last 4 years and future pupil projections:

Pontlottyn Primary School

150

140

130

120

110 Number on Roll on Number 100

90

80 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 No. on Roll 143 125 117 115 109 110 115 120 121 125 133 Excl Nursery 128 113 109 99 102 90 95 103 104 108 116 Capacity 141 141 137 137 137 137 137 137 137 137 137

Pontlottyn Primary School was built in 1972. It has 2 buildings.

Overall Property Condition C (Poor – Teaching methods inhibited) Sustainability C (Poor) Suitability C (Poor – Teaching methods inhibited) DDA Rating D 25 Year Maintenance £820,168 Surplus Places September 2013 35 (25.5%) 13th highest of 64 English medium Primary Surplus Places Projected September 2019 18 (13.4%) 39th highest of 64 English medium Primary Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Quartile – 1st (Primary) Social Deprivation (Free School Meals) % CCBC Ranking – 16th highest out of 75 Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Classrooms 40.0% (2 out of 5 classrooms) Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Hall 90.3% Fit For Purpose Size Compliant Site 93.5%

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Features of Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools

• Both schools are amongst the smallest across the county borough, with both forecast to be below 120 pupils, which was the trigger point for review as determined by the Stakeholder Group as a key principle of the original SOP. • A new school would likely comprise 9 classrooms plus nursery with an admission number of circa 38. This would be reviewed in the context of any likely new housing developments in the area. • Both primary schools have forecast surplus places in excess of 15% by 2016/17 (proposed academic year of school opening). • The estimated 25 year backlog maintenance figures, attributed to the 2 schools, amounts to just under £1.4m. • Both of the school halls are undersized, with 1 significantly so. • Both school sites are undersized in accordance with building bulletin regulations, with 1 significantly so. • Only 3 out of 11 classrooms in the 2 schools are size compliant, and amongst the lowest compliance across the county borough. • The two schools are in areas that are amongst the highest social deprivation across the county borough. According to the Index of Deprivation for Wales the all Caerphilly average Deprivation Score is 33.8%. Abertysswg Primary is in the Moriah Ward which has a score of 49.2 (8th highest of 36 Wards). Pontlottyn Primary is in the Pontlottyn Ward which has a score of 53.7 (6th Highest of 36 Wards). The all Wales average Deprivation Score is 21.8. Pontlottyn is 35th highest and Moriah is 53rd highest of 865 Wards in Wales.

Estyn Inspections

Details of the most recent Estyn Inspections are shown below:

1. How good are the outcomes. 2. How good is provision. 3. How good are leadership & management. 4. Overall judgement on the school. 5. Prospects for improvement.

School Date of 1 2 3 4 5 Inspection Abertysswg October Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate Primary 2013 Pontlottyn March Good Good Good Good Good Primary 2011

Key Excellent- Many strengths, including significant examples of sector leading practice Good - Many strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement Adequate - Strengths outweigh areas for improvement Unsatisfactory - Important areas for improvement outweigh strengths.

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Summary – Abertysswg Primary

The school’s current performance is adequate because:

• The majority of pupils make appropriate progress from their starting points. • Nearly all pupils behave well and have a positive attitude to learning. • The majority of teaching is effective. • Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is good. • The care, support and guidance provided are of high quality.

However: • Standards in literacy and numeracy are not high enough, especially among boys. • Attendance rates are too low overall. • Pupils’ skills do not build well enough on their previous learning. • More able pupils are not stretched enough.

The school’s prospects for improvement are adequate because:

• All staff work well together as a team. • The acting headteacher has introduced a number of positive initiatives in a short time. • Self-evaluation processes are accurate. • There are very effective partnerships with parents, other schools and the community. • The school has made good progress towards meeting many of the recommendations from the last inspection.

However: • The school has a weak record of raining standards. • Recent initiatives are not fully established in the life and work of the school.

Summary – Pontlottyn Primary

The school’s current performance is good because:

• Pupils are making good progress in learning throughout the school and they have secure communication and numeracy skills, which they use effectively. • Pupils’ behaviour is good and they clearly enjoy school, which has a positive effect on their overall wellbeing. • The school provides pupils with a worthwhile range of learning experiences. • Teaching, learning and assessment are good throughout the school. • There are good levels of care, support and guidance for all groups of pupils. • Leadership and management are good and the school runs smoothly on a day-to- day basis.

The school’s prospects for improvement are good because:

• Standards have improved rapidly over the last 3 years at key stage 1. • Senior managers have a clear picture of the school’s performance and they show determination that it should improve further. • The school’s development plans are well focused and clearly set out aspects that need improving.

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• Effective use is made of assessment information to set targets for improvement and identify groups of pupils that are underperforming. • The actions taken by the school to improve aspects, such as reading, have led to measurable improvement.

Rhymney Comprehensive School had an inspection under a different format

1. How well do learners achieve. 2. How effective are teaching, training and assessment. 3. How well do the learning experiences meet the needs and interests of learners and the wider community. 4. How well are learners cared for, guided and supported. 5. How effective are leadership and strategic management. 6. How well do leaders and managers evaluate and improve quality and standards. 7. How efficient are leaders and managers in using resources.

School Date of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Inspection Rhymney March 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 Comprehensive 2009

Key Grade 1 good with outstanding features Grade 2 good features and no important shortcomings Grade 3 good features outweigh shortcomings Grade 4 some good features, but shortcomings in important areas Grade 5 many important shortcomings.

Recommendations – Rhymney Comprehensive

In order to build on current achievement, the school should focus on the following priorities:

• improve standards generally at KS3 and KS4, particularly in science and geography, and in the key skills of speaking, writing and bilingual competence throughout the school; • embed the assessment for learning policy by eliminating the shortcomings in teaching and learning identified in this report; • develop further the consistency of day-to-day marking, ensuring that pupils and students are given specific guidance to improve the standard of their work; • improve subject and individual target setting and the monitoring of pupils’ and students’ academic performance; and • review the strategic role of leaders and managers so that strategic priorities are clearly identified, inconsistencies in teaching and learning are eliminated and best practice is monitored and disseminated rigorously.

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Details of the schools in the Upper Rhymney Valley are shown in the table below:

No. No. of No. No. No. No. No. No. on Nursery on on on on on on School Roll Pupils Roll Roll Roll Roll Roll Roll School Capacity AN Excl. Surplus Sept Excl. Excl. Excl. Excl. Excl. Excl. Sept 2013 2013 Nurs Places 2013 Nurs Nurs Nurs Nurs Nurs Nurs Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Abertysswg 146 20 108 38 17 111 119 120 112 110 108 Primary Bryn Awel 173 24 119 54 22 127 133 131 133 132 125 Primary Fochriw 120 17 89 31 10 90 94 94 93 90 76 Primary Phillipstown 143 20 96 47 21 104 103 97 92 86 82 Primary Pontlottyn 137 19 102 35 7 90 95 103 104 108 116 Primary Upper 190 27 167 23 24 172 173 170 173 172 176 Rhymney Primary Whiterose 317 45 273 44 29 263 263 263 259 246 232 Primary Ysgol Y 231 33 184 47 26 186 192 194 194 191 187 Lawnt (WM) Rhymney 1185 209 816 369 NA 790 765 753 740 760 781 Comp

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Details of the new school

The new school will be located at Mill Field, Abertysswg, Rhymney, NP22 5XF which is a site of 35.5 acres situated within the catchment area of Abertysswg Primary/Rhymney Comprehensive schools.

The advantages of this site are:

School land in Council ownership. Planning permission should not be a problem for the proposed site developments. Highly accessible, via the existing highway network. Accessible by public transport. Site conditions stable and known for both sites.

The Local Development Plan Site Status is mostly unallocated, but within the settlement boundary, although a small portion lies outside.

Aerial View of the Rhymney Comprehensive School Site:

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Possible Site Plan

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The new school will be a 3-11 year community primary school with a capacity of 270 plus 30 Nursery places, with an admission number of 38, which has been calculated in accordance with Welsh Government ‘Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales’ legislation.

Potential facilities being considered as part of the design for the proposed new school are listed below:

Classrooms Nursery Library Integrated Children’s Centre ICT Catering facilities Resource Areas/Storage Staffroom Sports facilities Administration Plant Changing facilities WC facilities Assembly Hall

Combined Pupil Numbers for Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools

Combined Pupil Numbers for Abertysswg & Pontlottyn primary schools

300

280

260

240

Number on Roll on Number 220

200

180 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 No. on Roll 275 252 240 232 234 244 246 255 248 250 256 Excl Nursery 237 224 216 206 210 201 214 223 216 218 224 Capacity 287 287 283 283 283 283 283 270 270 270 270

Both schools in this proposal teach Welsh as a second language in line with the National Curriculum. The proposed new school will continue to teach Welsh as a second language. The Council is satisfied that Welsh language provision at the proposed new school will be comparable with the provision currently available.

What will happen to the buildings and the grounds of the closed schools?

Implementing the proposal will mean that sites at Abertysswg and Pontlottyn will become available for other uses. As both the schools are owned by the Council, monies realised from the sale of any site or part site will be reinvested into the Council budget.

Concerns have been expressed regarding the potential future use of the present Abertysswg School site. The Council would commit to a planning development brief for the site which would provide certainty to residents concerning the future use of the site.

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Pupils with Additional Learning Needs/Special Educational Needs

The three schools directly affected by this proposal support pupils with additional learning needs, including children with statements of special education needs, in a mainstream setting with appropriate funding for this purpose. The proposed new school will continue to offer mainstream support for these pupils.

Alternative Option Considered

The following option has been considered:

Do Minimum – maintain the status quo i.e. maintain the two primary schools (Abertysswg Primary & Pontlottyn Primary). The backlog 25 year maintenance costs associated with this option is circa £1.4m.

Advantages • No new build capital outlay; • Pupils travel arrangements would remain the same; • Staffing structures would remain unchanged (subject to funding fluctuations); • There would be a primary school in each of the two communities.

Disadvantages • Does not address escalating repair and maintenance costs; • Does not reduce surplus places; • Does not deliver 21st Century, ‘state of the art’ teaching and learning facilities and opportunities; • Does not allow a reduction in operating and teaching costs; • Does not attract Welsh Government grant funding.

Impact of the Proposal on other schools in the Upper Rhymney Valley

By restricting an admission number limit of 38, it is not anticipated that there will be any significant impact on outcomes or provision at other schools which serve the Upper Rhymney Valley. There will be an impact to leadership and management as currently Fochriw Primary School and Pontlottyn Primary School share the same headteacher, albeit continued federated arrangements will be reviewed for Fochriw Primary School.

Quality and Standards

Pupils would be educated in high quality modern buildings which would be able to support the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum, including the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Foundation Phase.

The proposed establishment of the new build school, fit for the 21st Century, would offer an exciting and attractive career proposition, and it is therefore expected that the new school would attract high quality leadership, management and teaching.

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What are the advantages of a 3-18 Campus with a distinct primary school?

A number of advantages are anticipated:

• offer a large measure of flexibility in planning and applying the curriculum; • promotes transition between key stages and helps to avoid the traditional dip in achievement at the time of transition from the primary to the secondary sector, that some pupils experience; • provide a more appropriate education in relation to pupils’ ability levels, as staff can contribute to policies and practices in every area across the age range, especially in encouraging able and talented pupils, and supporting those who need additional help; • ensure an additional range of resources, services and facilities that pupils of primary and secondary age can share in different locations on the same site, e.g. all weather pitch, gymnasium, laboratories, etc.; • give the community the opportunity to make use of the resources and facilities; • draw from a wider range of expertise and experiences across the sectors, in order to develop pupils’ learning experiences; • offer more opportunities for continuing professional development; • pre-school facilities can be enhanced, by the provision of an integrated children’s centre.

Sharing of resources - in this proposal, young children will not share playgrounds or break times with much older pupils. Primary and secondary school pupils will receive the majority of their lessons in the allocated primary or secondary school buildings. The pupils will only use rooms in the other sections when specialised facilities are required. All such activities will be planned and monitored, and pupils will be supervised closely at all times.

Accommodation

As there is so much emphasis on sustainability, it is imperative that the design of the new school gives particular attention to decreasing the carbon footprint. The Welsh Government state that: ‘school buildings and grounds should be designed in order to reduce the use of resources and maximise energy efficiency as much as possible whilst they are being built, during their operation and maintenance.’

The design of the new school will allow for the following:

• attractive and fit-for-purpose buildings that use sustainable sources of materials and preserve the best traditions of architecture and local building and which are efficient in energy and resources; • adequate, high quality, well-designed buildings that can be used for a wide range of teaching and learning methods and experiences; • first class dining facilities where pupils can enjoy healthy meals; • fit-for-purpose provision for toilets and personal hygiene requirements; • buildings that are accessible to the whole community; • up-to-date facilities, to be used by pupils, staff, parents/carers and members of the community; • safe community areas; • indoor and outdoor sports and playing facilities available to pupils.

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Class Sizes

Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools currently have 10 classes between them of which 9 are mixed year classes. The only single year class is at Abertysswg Primary (Nursery). Of the 5 mixed age classes in Abertysswg Primary, one class contains 3 age groups (Years 3, 5 & 6) and the other also contains 3 age groups (Years 4, 5 & 6).

On the proposed implementation date of January 2017, it is projected that of the 10 classes in the school, 9 will be single year classes. Nursery (32 pupils), Reception (30 pupils), Year 1(30 pupils), Year 2 (24 pupils), Year 3 (28 pupils), Year 4 (26 pupils), Year 5 (30 pupils) & 2 Year 6 (20 & 19 pupils) so all key stage 2 classes are anticipated to be single year classes. In key stage 1 there would be 1 mixed aged class, Reception / Year 1 (15 pupils).

The result of this will be that pupils in the classroom are more likely to be of their own age and there will be more opportunities to make friends with children of a similar age. Being in classes with predominantly their own age group, the teacher will be better able to offer the pupils a wider and more varied curriculum to support all learners, including the least and most able.

Implementation dates and details of transition arrangements

Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools will remain on their existing sites until such time as the new school building is ready for occupation. The target date for the new school opening is January 2017.

Revenue savings/costs

The estimated total formula revenue savings of this proposal would be £66,000 comprising the lump sum (38k) and other school specific allocations (28k).

There will be additional costs associated with National Non-Domestic Rates. Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools currently pay circa £12,500 rates between them whereas the estimated rates for the proposed new primary school is circa £52,000.

Capital funding costs, including the source of any such funding

The project approval amounts to £12million. Of this, £6million is provided by the Welsh Government as part of the All Wales 21st Century Schools Programme. This is being match funded by the Council, whose £6m (50%) has already been secured. It is anticipated that the new scheme will cost less than the approved amount, but the precise figure will not be known until the final design and tender process has been completed.

Proposed new admission arrangements

There are no plans to change the Council’s policy on admission of children to schools as a result of this proposal. Detailed information regarding admission arrangements is contained in the Council’s Starting School booklet, and this information can also be viewed on the Council’s website (www.caerphilly.gov.uk).

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Proposed new transport arrangements and the accessibility of alternatives

Any pupils affected by this proposal will be offered the same support with transport as is provided currently. Transport requests will be considered in accordance with the same criteria that apply across Caerphilly. Caerphilly County Borough Council currently provides free transport for pupils who attend their “relevant” school, if they reside beyond one and a half miles in primary education and two miles for other pupils based on ‘walking distance’ to that school. The “relevant” school is the catchment school or the nearest school. An analysis of catchment addresses for both Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools has been undertaken and indicate that none of the addresses are over 1.5 miles from the proposed primary school location so there are no additional transport costs anticipated as a consequence of this proposal.

The site will require additional school safety on the roads immediately outside the site to cater for the additional pupil numbers attending. The school safety zones relate to parking, road speeds and pedestrian safety issues that will need to be improved to reduce the road speeds of vehicles and increase the visibility of pedestrians by improving the facilities such as zebra crossings, raised speed humps, increased signage and road markings.

It is anticipated that land acquisition costs will be incurred at both the Abertysswg and Pontlottyn areas to facilitate safe routes to the school. It is also anticipated that separate primary and secondary facilities will be made available.

Staffing issues

It is proposed to develop a voluntary agreement amongst the 2 schools with the intention to minimise any compulsory redundancies. This agreement would typically involve limiting permanent appointments over the next 2 years. The council will also deploy its other procedures in conjunction with this agreement, e.g. redeployment, cross-matching arrangements. It is expected that these initiatives will minimise costs for CCBC but it is too early to quantify such details. These will become more evident following the conclusion of the statutory processes and in the lead up to January 2017 if the proposal proceeds.

Community Impact Assessment

Community Impact Assessments are a structured way for the Council to fully understand the implications of our decisions and whether they are detrimental or discriminatory to certain groups or sections of the community. They help us to consider the impact of Council decisions and policies within and between communities more generally. The Community Impact Assessment process will ensure that our decision making process is robust and impacts on all communities within Caerphilly are fully considered in Council business. By carrying out impact assessments, CCBC is working to promote equality for all our service users, employees and the wider community that we serve. The following are taken into account when considering a proposal: Public Open Space, parkland, noise and traffic congestion. Officers will work with schools and any community group to ensure that the proposal avoids negative impacts, wherever possible.

Welsh Language Impact Assessment

Both schools subject to closure in this proposal teach Welsh as a second language in line with the National Curriculum. The proposed new school will continue to teach Welsh as a second language. The Council is satisfied that Welsh language provision at the proposed new school will be comparable with the provision currently available.

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For those pupils wishing to be educated through the medium of Welsh, current arrangements will continue to apply. Welsh-medium primary education is available at Ysgol Y Lawnt, which serves the whole of the Upper Rhymney Valley, whilst Welsh- medium secondary education is available at , which serves the whole of the County Borough.

Equality Impact Assessment

The Council recognises that people have different needs, requirements and goals and we will work actively against all forms of discrimination by promoting good relations and mutual respect within and between our communities, residents, elected members, job applicants and workforce. We will also work to create equal access for everyone to our services, irrespective of ethnic origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, religious beliefs or non beliefs, use of Welsh language, BSL or other languages, nationality, responsibility for any dependents, or any other reason which cannot be shown to be justified.

The Council has undertaken an EqlA in respect of the proposed Abertysswg/Pontlottyn replacement Primary School proposal. The full EqlA can be viewed by following the following link www.caerphilly.gov.uk/rhymney3-18consultation.

Options Appraisal

The original bid was developed following consideration of a range of possible 3-18 options across the County Borough. At least 2 other sites offered similar school rationalisation proposals and based on the consequent improvement in condition of school buildings, allied with increased compliance, Rhymney 3-18 was chosen due to the higher levels of social deprivation experienced in the area.

This proposal had also featured in the original SOP submission in 2010.

Benefits to Children and Young People

In making the proposed change, many things will be different for the pupils from Abertysswg and Pontlottyn, depending on parent/carers exercising their right of choice, but some things will remain the same:

• Some may have a longer or a different route to school; • The pupils in the classroom are more likely to be of their own age and there will be more opportunities to make friends with children of a similar age; • Being in classes with predominantly their own age group, the teacher will be better able to offer the pupils a wider and more varied curriculum to support learners, including the least and most able; • The teachers and teaching assistants may be different, however, the majority of teachers and teaching assistants should, with the agreement of the new governing body, be able to transfer between the schools, if they wish to do so; • There will be more competition for pupils in and outside the classroom which is what children require if they are to achieve good educational outcomes; • Being part of a larger school creates opportunities to run school sports teams, debating team etc..

The principal change will be an improvement in the quality of the educational provision, and this should have a significant impact on educational performance of the pupils.

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The Welsh Government and the Council has adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which is expressed in seven core aims that all children and young people:

1. have a flying start in life; 2. have a comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities; 3. enjoy the best possible health and are free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation; 4. have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities; 5. are listened to, treated with respect, and have their race and cultural identity recognised; 6. have a safe home and a community which supports physical and emotional wellbeing; 7. are not disadvantaged by poverty.

We consider that this proposal benefits the children in the communities of Abertysswg and Pontlottyn in accordance with the seven core aims set out above.

Advantages of the Proposal

 Provide the conditions that will enable a broader and more diverse curriculum to be developed, to better meet the needs of the school’s young people and in ways that will be viable and sustainable over the longer term;  Provide teaching and support staff with more opportunity to develop professionally;  The opportunity to utilise staff expertise and resources more effectively, together with, potentially, providing members of staff with a wider range of development opportunities;  Broaden the range of extra-curricular and out-of-school activities and develop them in ways that are sustainable over the longer term;  The future capital investment benefits that would arise from the modernisation of one school rather than two;  Create a school of a sustainable size for its catchment areas by removing surplus capacity, providing greater educational and financial stability;  Release significant resources that will be reinvested in improving the buildings and in improving standards of teaching and learning, which otherwise would not have been available;  Enable greater opportunities for staff to move between key stages and further develop expertise;  Improved transition planning as pupils move from Primary to Secondary;  Improve the range and quality of facilities and learning resources available to the benefit of all pupils;  Pupils would be educated in a high quality, modern building which would be able to support the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum;  The removal of circa 30 surplus places;  Retention of the existing buildings for use by learners and the wider community;  Upgrading the existing facilities to develop community facilities in an area of high social deprivation;  Allow for the potential for financial savings in terms of staffing structures and purchase of services, which accrue to a larger school.

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Disadvantages of the Proposal

 Bringing together two schools into one will inevitably cause some disruption and uncertainty for a period of time, although experience shows that this can be kept to a minimum and the children’s education does not suffer.  For some pupils, there will be further travel to get to school; the Council’s policy regarding free transport will continue to apply;  Some parents may feel that two schools are better for pupils rather than one larger school - in other words there could be a view that smaller schools may be more personal and less daunting, particularly for new entrants. Large schools often create smaller “schools” within the body of the primary school to ensure pupils are not overwhelmed by the number of pupils and to ensure the management and teaching teams have a greater knowledge and day to day involvement in each individual pupil;  There will be staffing implications in that, for example, there will be a need for only one Headteacher. Staff will be concerned about the security of their jobs which is why we are developing a voluntary agreement amongst the two schools.

Surplus Places

In May 2012 the Welsh Government urged all local authorities to take action to reduce unwanted surplus places. Around the same time, in their report entitled “How Do Surplus Places Affect the Resources Available for Expenditure on Improving Outcomes for Pupils”, that each secondary surplus place was diverting £510 from the funds available to support teaching and learning. The cost of each primary surplus place was estimated at £260. Across secondary schools in Wales this equates to £20.4million. Across secondary schools in Caerphilly this is equated to circa £1.7million that could be re-directed to pupils. Across primary schools this is equated to circa £630k.

It is a Welsh Government request that local authorities currently with more than 20% empty places in either sector (primary & secondary), or who are projected to have more than 20% empty places by 2016 provide a statement setting out what plans are under consideration or already underway to reduce the level of surplus places to below 15% at January 2015.

CCBC had 22.5% secondary surplus places in September 2013 and was projected to have 24.9% secondary surplus places by September 2016. CCBC also had 14.5% primary surplus places in September 2013 and was projected to 13.7% surplus places by September 2016.

CCBC had an Inspection in 2012 and in the ESTYN Post Inspection Action Plan Recommendation 5 stated ‘Take urgent action to reduce surplus capacity in schools generally and secondary schools in particular.’

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Impact of the Proposed New Primary School

If Abertysswg & Pontlottyn Primary Schools were replaced by a new build there would be a 25 Year Maintenance saving of circa £1.4m plus inflation, based on the existing schools. In addition, the condition rating of the new school would be ‘A’.

The authority wide percentage of surplus places for all 75 primary schools currently projected for September 2016 is 13.7%. If the Abertysswg/Pontlottyn replacement Primary School proposal was to proceed and 2 primary schools closed and a new one built, the projected percentage of surplus places for September 2016 would decrease to 13.5% across Caerphilly as a whole.

A new build primary school would transform educational opportunities for learners by providing an improved learning environment as per the Directorate Service Improvement Plan Priority 4 (2014/15).

Integrated Children’s Centre

In the Childcare Action Plan 2002, the Welsh Government sets out its vision for the development of Integrated Children’s Centres (ICC’s) within Wales. The ICC model is based around four core elements:

• Early Years Education • Childcare • Training • Open Access Play

The ICC model allows greater integration of services delivered to children and parents in order to maximise resources and improve children’s outcomes.

It was a statutory requirement of the Welsh Government for each Authority to establish at least one ICC.

In addition to meeting the requirements for the four elements of ICC provision, the possibility exists to develop a model of service delivery which could include working closely with partner agencies to develop high quality services that impact positively on the following agenda:

• Environment and sustainability • Raising aspirations and attainment • Supporting families • Providing a continuum of services from cradle to grave

To develop an ICC attached, as part of, or in close proximity, to the new primary school, would allow for improved joint working arrangements, maximising the use of resources and shared facilities and building on best practice models from other areas will provide innovative service delivery for children and families.

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Pupil Distribution

The map below shows the residency of pupils who were attending Abertysswg Primary and Pontlottyn Primary Schools as at November 2013.

Catchment Areas

The catchment areas of Abertysswg and Pontlottyn Primary Schools will be amalgamated into 1 catchment area that will feed the new Primary school on the Rhymney Comprehensive School site. The proposal does not envisage any changes to catchment areas of any other schools. As at November 2013, Abertysswg Primary had 8.2% out of catchment pupils attending the school and 5.9% of children residing within its catchment area attend other English-medium schools. Pontlottyn Primary had 27.5% out of catchment pupils attending the school and 17.7% of children residing within its catchment area attend other English-medium schools.

A change to the way that School Organisation Proposals are determined

On 1st October 2013, Welsh Ministers issued a revised School Organisation Code which applies to all school organisation proposals after that date. The new code has introduced a number of changes to the way in which school organisation proposals are determined.

Under the previous statutory code, in the event that objections were received the Welsh Ministers were the decision makers. Under the new School Organisation Code, Local Authorities are responsible for determining their own proposals, including those which have received objections.

There are some exceptions to this new guidance, and for further information you can read a copy of the revised School Organisation Code (issue date July 2013) Statutory Code document no: 006.2103 by visiting the Welsh Government website at www.cymru.gov.uk

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What is the statutory process to close a school?

The Code on School Organisation (“The Code”) is made under Sections 38 and 39 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. The Code came into force on 1st October 2013 and applies in respect of all school proposals published by way of a statutory notice after that date. Proposals to close a school have to follow the following process:

1. The Council’s Cabinet considers the Code and authorises a consultation on the changes to the schools; 2. At the start of the consultation period, the Council must provide consultees with a consultation document and give them at least 42 days in which to respond, with at least 20 of these days being school days. If the Council considers it appropriate, meetings are held with stakeholders during the consultation period; 3. Consultation comments are collated and summarised by the Council. This summary together with the Council’s officers own responses and Estyn’s views of the proposal is published in a consultation report within 13 weeks of the end of the consultation period and presented to the Council’s Cabinet for consideration; 4. The Council’s Cabinet decide whether to proceed with the changes within 6 months of the end of the consultation period. If the decision is to proceed, Step 5 is taken. If a new option emerges during the consultation which the Council’s Cabinet wish to consider, then Steps 1-3 are repeated; 5. Statutory notice is published providing a 28 day notice period for objections. The notice must be published on a school day and with 15 school days (not including the day of publication) in the notice period; 6. The Council’s Cabinet must issue its decision on the proposal within 16 weeks of the end of the objection period; 7. If written or e-mailed objections are received, the Council must publish an objection report providing a summary of the objections and their responses to them within 7 days of the determination of the proposal (where the Council is determining its own proposals); or, in all other cases, within 28 days of the end of the objection period; 8. If the proposals receive approval/the Council determine to implement them, they should be implemented in accordance with the date given in the statutory notice, or any subsequent modified date.

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