Consultation Document
Proposal to Increase the Capacity at Barker’s Lane CP, Wrexham
Barker’s Lane CP Barker’s Lane Wrexham LL13 9TP
Table of Contents
1. Introduction/Explanation of the consultation exercise • The consultation • List of consultees • Development of school organisation proposals • Background to the proposal 2. Your views matter/How can you find out more and give your views? 3. The Proposal/Why are we proposing the changes? 4. Options and summary information • Consideration of site options 5. Supply and demand for school places 6. Adequacy of school accommodation and impact of the proposal of the quality of accommodation 7. Interim arrangements 8. Impact of proposal on surrounding schools 9. How would nursery provision be affected? 10. Quality and standards • Estyn • Welsh Government • Evaluation of the impact of the proposal on the quality and standard of education 11. How would Special Educational Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) be affected? 12. Potential advantages of implementing the proposal 13. Potential disadvantages of implementing the proposal 14. Risks associated with proposal 15. Admissions arrangements 16. Finance: Costs and funding 17. How the proposal will affect staff 18. Transport arrangements 19. Impact on the proposal on the Welsh Language 20. Impact on the proposal on the Church in Wales provision 21. Equality 22. Sustainability 23. Impact on community 24. Next steps - How to make your views known 25. Key dates 26. What happens next? 27. Consultation period 28. Publication of statutory notices 29. Determination of proposals 30. Decision notification 31. Consultation response form
1. Introduction - Explanation of the Consultation Exercise
This consultation is an opportunity for staff, parents, stakeholders and the wider community to learn about the school organisation proposals put forward in your area.
Wrexham County Borough Council wishes to seek the views of interested parties regarding the proposal to increase the pupil capacity at Barker’s Lane CP from 31 August 2020.
This consultation document sets out information which consultees will need to consider, in order to take part fully in the consultation process. The process follows regulatory guidance as set out in the School Organisation Code 2013. The formal consultation period commences on 18 October 2018 and ends on 12 December 2018.
The Consultation
The Council wishes to seek the views of all those with a likely interest in the proposal/proposals. It is important that stakeholder views can be taken into account before decisions are made.
We are therefore consulting with the community, potential users and other relevant stakeholders. We will hold meetings for pupils, staff and governors at Barker’s Lane CP during the consultation period as it is these groups who are most likely to be directly affected. We will also use drop in information sessions for parents and any other interested parties during the consultation period which will also be held at Barker’s Lane CP.
We will also be using the internet to gather people's views. You are welcome to ask questions and let us have your views via [email protected] or to put your response in writing.
Letters of response should be sent to Barker’s Lane CP Consultation, Education Department, Lambpit Street, Wrexham LL11 1AU by 12 December 2018.
Your views will be taken into account by the Executive Board of the Council at a meeting scheduled to be held on 12 March 2019, when a decision will be made about whether or not to publish a statutory notice.
Due to the volume of responses we receive when consulting on options we will not be able to acknowledge written responses nor enter into correspondence with interested parties either during or after the consultation period.
Your comments however will be considered and responded to via the publication of a post consultation report.
Please note that all responses to this consultation will be made available to Elected Members for decision making purposes.
Event Dates Consultation - during this time you can make your views known by 18 October 2018 to 12 December 2018 • Attending the open consultation sessions (notes will be taken); • Writing to or emailing the council; or • Completing the response form at the end of this booklet
Results of the consultation will go to the Executive Board of Wrexham 12 March 2019 County Borough Council. The Executive Board will make the decision as to whether it wishes to move to the next stage of consultation.
If agreed by the Executive Board on the 12 March, statutory notices are 16 March 2019 to published. These are public notices that appear at the entrances to the 15 April 2019 school(s). You can make your views known at this stage by writing to or emailing the council. The address and date by which you must send written comments will also be given on the public notice.
The Executive Board makes the final decision on the proposal. 9 July 2019
Proposal to be implemented. September 2020
Please note that the timetable may alter. Any subsequent changes will be publicised. The council will be able to tell you if this happens and let you know the new dates we are working towards.
List of Consultees
• The proposed maintaining authority of Barker’s Lane CP, Wrexham Council Borough Council (Executive Board)
• Other local authorities, Flintshire County Council and Denbighshire County Council
• The Governing Body of Barker’s Lane CP
• Wrexham Schools
• Parents (and where possible prospective parents) carers and guardians, and staff members of Barker’s Lane CP
• The Welsh Ministers
• Assembly Members
• Members of Parliament: MP Susan Jones, MP Ian Lucas
• Estyn
• Teaching and staff trade unions representing teachers and other staff at Barker’s Lane CP
• GwE
• The Church in Wales/Diocese
• Wrexham Council’s Transport Department
• The Police and Crime Commissioner
• Town Centre Community Councils
• Local Communities First Partnerships
• Independent nursery providers
• The Children and Young People’s Partnership and the Early Years Development and Childcare
Development of School Organisation Proposals
Development of school organisation proposals should have regard to overarching national policies and principles, including:
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; • A Living Language: A Language for Living - Welsh Language Strategy 2012-2017; • Welsh Medium Education Strategy; • One Wales: One Planet, a new sustainable development scheme for Wales May 2009 or any successor strategy; • Child Poverty Strategy for Wales (issued February 2011 information document number 95/2011), or any successor strategy; • Faith in Education.
Additionally, the development of school organisation proposals should have regard to local plans, including:
• Local plans for economic or housing development; • Welsh in education strategic plans; • Children and young people’s plans; • 21st Century schools guidance.
Regard should also be given to Welsh Government guidance on related matters to school organisation such as:
• Learner travel operational guidance (April 2009); • Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales.
Factors that should be taken into account by relevant bodies when preparing publishing, approving or determining school organisation proposals are as follows:
• Quality and standards in education - outcomes, provision and leadership and management; • Need for places and the impact on accessibility of schools; • Resourcing of education and other financial implications.
Other general factors such as the impact of the proposal on children from economically deprived backgrounds, and any equality issues (including those identified through equality impact assessments).
• Council Aspirations for Education in Wrexham
PE1 – Supporting people to have positive aspirations, learn and achieve their potential
Qualifications give people a positive start in life and a better chance of accessing a wider range of opportunities. A positive experience of, and attitude towards, learning improves a person’s ability to learn new skills throughout their lives, to be resilient and to adapt to the changing opportunities around them.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child highlights the importance of education to a child’s life. There are around 19,000 young people in statutory education in Wrexham’s nurseries, primary and secondary schools; we want these schools to be an important part of their community and to be local parents’ and pupils’ first choice, with success rates that compare well across Wales and the wider UK. Whether pupils choose to learn through Welsh or English, through faith schools or not, statutory education will prepare and encourage young people to remain in education or training and to attain qualifications and skills that reflect their full potential. We also want better opportunities for those who are over 16 and have left statutory education to continue to learn. In short, we want everyone in Wrexham County Borough to have higher aspirations, and the confidence, opportunities and qualifications to achieve them.
Our long term vision is to: have one of the best qualified populations in Wales. More pupils will choose to go to their nearest appropriate school, will excel there, and will choose to remain in education for longer.
In the short term, to achieve this we will:
• Address variation to quickly improve outcomes; • Further strengthen leadership and learning; • Further strengthen health, well-being and behaviour support in our schools; and • Utilise resources effectively to improve Special Educational Needs provision.
In the medium to long term, to achieve this we will:
• Develop more primary school places; and • Improve succession planning for school leadership teams.
2. Your Views Matter - How can you find out more and give your views?
There are several ways in which you can communicate your views with us. Attached to this document there is a response pro-forma. This can be completed and returned to us at the address as indicated.
You may submit comments to us via email. The email address for this correspondence is: [email protected]. a downloadable response pro-forma is available at: www.wrexham.gov.uk/barkerslaneconsultation
You may also call in to see us at the ‘drop in sessions’ that will take place at Barker’s Lane CP during the consultation period. At these sessions you will be able to talk to Officers from the Council who will be available to answer your questions.
Letters of response should be sent to Barker’s Lane Consultation, Education, Lambpit Street, Wrexham LL11 1AU by 12 December 2018.
Due to the volume of responses we receive when consulting on options we will not be able to acknowledge written responses nor enter into correspondence with interested parties either during or after the consultation period.
Your comments however will be considered and responded to via the publication of a post consultation report.
It should be noted that any comments will not be treated as objections at this stage.
3. The Proposal – why are we proposing the changes?
In January 2017, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, announced details of a new £36 million fund to address infant class sizes and raise standards in Wales. The £36 million (a combination of £16 million revenue and £20 million capital) is being made available to Local Authorities and funding will be targeted at classes with 29 or more pupils. International research and evidence shows us that a reduction in class sizes makes the most difference for the youngest pupils.
Following this announcement of available funding it is our proposal is to permanently increase the pupil capacity at Barker’s Lane CP from 210 to 315 as of 31 August 2020. This would potentially reduce not only infant class sizes at Barker’s Lane CP but also alleviate the current pressure on a number of town centre English medium schools. We have also made a similar bid to Welsh Government to support Welsh medium education with a proposal to permanently increase capacity at Ysgol Bro Alun. This would address current pressures on Welsh medium primary education.
The table below shows current class sizes within our town centre schools.
School Name Number of Number of Number of Notes Classes Classes with 28 Classes over – 30 pupils 30 Barker’s Lane Community 8 4 1 The class over 30 has 31 pupils and is a year 1 Primary class with 1 Teacher and 1 TA – This was due to a successful appeal in reception with no pupils leaving as the class moved up to year 1 Acton Park Community 17 11 0 Primary Alexandra Community 16 1 2 Classes over 30, 1 had 35 pupils which were year Primary 3 pupils with 1 Teacher and 2 FT TA’s and the other class had 38 pupils and were Nursery class pupils with 1 Teacher and 2 FT TA’s Rhosddu Community 11 2 0 Primary Wat’s Dyke Community 12 7 0 Primary Gwenfro Community 14 3 0 Primary Hafod Y Wern 12 5 1 The class over 30 has 33 pupils but is a mixed Community Primary class of Nursery and Reception, with 1 Teacher and 4 TA’s St Giles Voluntary 17 7 0 Controlled Primary Victoria Community 15 13 0 Primary Borras Park Community 17 13 0 Primary Plas Coch 13 6 0 Bodhyfryd 17 5 0 St Mary's RC (Wrexham) 16 3 0 St Anne's Catholic 8 1 0 Primary Total: 193 81 4
Total of classes exceeding 28 pupils: 85 (44%)
The table shows that 44% of all class sizes exceed 28 pupils; this data includes resourced provision and nursery classes.
There continues to be demand for places within the town centre primary schools, we are continuing to see an increase in over subscription at both Nursery and Reception entry and an increasing number of appeals. We have experienced a sustained demand in the town centre area and the Local Authority has been unable to meet parental preference.
Should the status quo continue there is a risk that the quality and standard of education within the wider area could be adversely impacted in comparison to other Local Authorities in Wales. Resources would not be applied and used efficiently within teaching and learning. As such the Local Authority has sought investment from Welsh Government to manage the required growth and to reduce class sizes. Without such investment we may be required to locate temporary mobiles on current sites within the County. The majority of school sites are currently maintaining the maximum number of pupils it is advised to accommodate, based on available land.
The Authority have been given the opportunity to bid under the Welsh Governments ‘Class Size Reduction Grant’ to provide for a permanent extension and refurbishment to the current provision at Barker’s Lane having currently exhausted any further funded growth at our current town centre sites.
Placed in the context of challenges facing educational provision and sustainability of high quality educational provision, the Authority is bringing forward this proposal to increase the capacity at Barker’s Lane as of 31 August 2020. We expect this additionality of 15 spaces per year group to result in the wider relief of a number of other town centre schools, all of whom are regularly at capacity on entry to reception class.
By creating the additional spaces in this locality we anticipate that the other town centre schools may benefit from the more even spread of pupils reducing the numbers in each class below the regulated class size of 30.
Proposed Year Group Sizes
It is proposed that we carefully manage the growth to ensure sustainability and avoid the introduction of additional surplus places within the higher year groups. It is proposed that in order for the school to manage the growth this is done gradually at the admission entry for Nursery and Reception pupils from 2020 onwards.
2020 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 30 2 6-7 30 3 7-8 30 4 8-9 30 5 9-10 30 6 10-11 30
2021 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 30 3 7-8 30 4 8-9 30 5 9-10 30 6 10-11 30 2022 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 45 3 7-8 30 4 8-9 30 5 9-10 30 6 10-11 30 2023 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 45 3 7-8 45 4 8-9 30 5 9-10 30 6 10-11 30
2024 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 45 3 7-8 45 4 8-9 45 5 9-10 30 6 10-11 30 2025 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 45 3 7-8 45 4 8-9 45 5 9-10 45 6 10-11 30 2026 Entry Year Group Age Number of Pupils Nursery 3-4 45 Reception 4-5 45 1 5-6 45 2 6-7 45 3 7-8 45 4 8-9 45 5 9-10 45 6 10-11 45
4. Options and summary information
The Local Authority continues to monitor the demand for school places through its parental preference survey as well as closely analysing the actual admissions requests.
Where funding allows, the Local Authority will seek to increase available primary places, so as to meet local demand, reduce class sizes, improve the distribution of school places and provide more choice for parents.
This proposal seeks to increase the capacity at Barker’s Lane CP and reflects a strategic needs assessment which considered capacity, location, site and building constraints, amalgamations and building conditions of all town centre schools.
The site at Barker’s Lane CP was identified as a site that can accommodate a 315 place school with 45 nursery places using ‘Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales, Welsh Government Circular No: 021/2011(2011) and requirements of a school of this size under Building Bulletin 98.
This would allow us to reduce class sizes and best meet local demand for town centre primary places.
This table shows the current capacities and potential for development for each of our town centre schools.
Previous Revised Revised Site Suitable for Increase Previous PAN PAN Capacity in Capacity Capacity 2014/2015 2019/2020 School Yes Barker’s Lane CP 30 210 30 210 No Acton Park Community Primary 60 420 60 420 No Alexandra Community Primary 30 200 45 315 No Rhosddu Community Primary 43 301 43 301 No Wat’s Dyke Community Primary 45 315 45 315 Yes Gwenfro Community Primary 43 301 45 315 Yes (plans in place to utilise this site for a Hafod Y Wern Community 37 259 45 315 temporary 105 pupil Primary Welsh medium school at this location) St Giles Voluntary Controlled No 45 315 60 420 Primary No Victoria Community Primary 60 420 60 420 Yes (plans in place to add Borras Park Community Primary 58 406 60 420 a further 210 pupil school at this location) No St Anne’s Catholic Primary 24 169 24 168 No St Mary’s Catholic Primary 41 288 41 287 Previously extended to Ysgol Plas Coch 30 210 45 315 increase capacity Previously reconfigured to Ysgol Bodhyfryd 49 343 60 420 increase capacity
TOTAL 595 4157 663 4641
Language Designation of Town Centre schools:
Barker’s Lane CP English Medium
Acton Park Community Primary English Medium
Alexandra Community Primary English Medium
Rhosddu Community Primary English Medium
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary English Medium
Gwenfro Community Primary English Medium
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary English Medium
St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary English Medium
Victoria Community Primary English Medium
Borras Park Community Primary English Medium
Ysgol Plas Coch Welsh Medium
Ysgol Bodhyfryd Welsh Medium
St Anne’s Catholic Primary English Medium
St Mary’s Catholic Primary English Medium
5. Supply and Demand for School Places
The table below shows the number of pupils on roll at each Town Centre Primary school for the previous 5 years. This shows an increase in the demand for Town Centre education year on year.
*The table below includes nursery children.
NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at School Name Jan 2014 Jan 2015 Jan 2016 Jan 2017 Jan 2018
Barker’s Lane Community Primary, Wrexham 223 225 228 223 229
Acton Park Community Primary, Wrexham 480 481 462 467 468
Alexandra Community Primary, Wrexham 290 284 302 338 351
Rhosddu Community Primary, Wrexham 321 303 318 317 294
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary, Wrexham 322 325 312 330 337
Gwenfro Community Primary School, Wrexham 310 326 345 356 371
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary School, Wrexham 265 275 299 336 327
St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Wrexham 385 418 427 423 425
Victoria Community Primary School, Wrexham 446 451 466 466 465
Borras Park Community Primary School, Wrexham 473 479 480 475 481 Ysgol Plas Coch 354 361 374 359 346
Ysgol Bodhyfryd 371 393 396 417 423
St Anne’s Catholic Primary 196 234 221 209 201
St Mary’s Catholic Primary 391 398 415 398 397
Cyfanswm / Total 4827 4953 5045 5114 5115
Information taken from PLASC data
The number of pupils on roll has increased by 288 since 2014. This is a 6.0% increase across the Town Centre.
• Projected growth within town centre
The LA has operated a continuous online survey of parental preferences for the linguistic nature of both childcare and education provision and has done so since 2013. This survey is publicised in numerous ways which targets parents of new born babies such as, the local press, on transport provision, Health Centres, Hospitals, schools and at the Registration and Birth Office.
We accept that there are limitations to such surveys, particularly when it comes to the interpretation of the statistics that they generate. For example, it is more likely that a parent requiring a Welsh medium education responds to such surveys. We also look closely at our demographic growth and change and closely monitor demand for each of our schools.
*The figures in the table below DO NOT include nursery children.
Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at School Name NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at NOR at Jan 2014 Jan 2015 Jan 2016 Jan 2017 Jan 2018 Jan 2019 Jan 2020 Jan 2021 Jan 2022 Jan 2023
Barker’s Lane Community Primary 193 194 198 197 199 205 205 205 205 203
Acton Park Community Primary 399 398 388 395 391 397 390 385 380 374
Alexandra Community Primary 181 183 211 233 255 254 261 274 281 278
Rhosddu Community Primary 282 269 274 279 268 262 251 247 240 242
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary 287 280 276 287 293 304 302 301 305 305
Gwenfro Community Primary 245 262 284 281 288 291 298 297 293 294
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary 212 233 251 281 281 287 286 284 287 285
St Giles Voluntary Controlled 312 346 371 357 375 368 364 361 351 344 Primary
Victoria Community Primary 386 391 406 408 405 412 412 414 415 418
Borras Park Community Primary 402 405 408 403 401 419 419 420 422 420
Ysgol Plas Coch 314 316 329 315 301 294 280 286 290 290
Ysgol Bodhyfryd 295 310 311 332 333 341 354 358 357 355
St Anne’s Catholic Primary 152 176 170 171 170 164 164 161 155 150
St Mary’s Catholic Primary 344 350 363 357 361 349 339 335 327 320
Cyfanswm / Total 4044 4113 4240 4296 4321 4347 4325 4328 4308 4278
Information taken from PLASC Jan 2018 data
The number of pupils on roll has increased by 317 since 2014. This is a 7.9% increase across the Town Centre, within a 4 year period.
The demand for school places within the town centre is increasing with a number of town centre schools currently over-subscribed.
The Council’s forecasts show that this trend is continuing and demand for town centre places is above the published admission numbers.
The figures below show the current demand for places at the schools as at September 2018.
Nearest Published No Reception st 1 Preference Suitable School * Pre Adjustment to Barker’s Lane CP Admission Allocated Refusals School Number Sept 2018 Refusals
Barker’s Lane CP 30 30 4 0
Acton Park CP 60 61* 5 1
Alexandra CP 45 44 0 0
Rhosddu CP 43 28 0 0
Watt’s Dyke CP 45 45 0 0
Gwenfro CP 45 39 0 0
Hafod Y Wern CP 45 40 0 0
St Giles CP 60 39 0 0
Victoria CP 60 60 4 0
Borras Park CP 60 60 3 0
St Anne’s Catholic Primary 24 24 0 0
St Mary’s Catholic Primary 41 42 0 0
Ysgol Plas Coch 45 43 0 0
Ysgol Bodhyfryd 60 59 0 0 TOTAL 663 614 16 1
By creating additional capacity we would expect the standard number of 30 per class to reduce within a number of local schools.
6. Adequacy of School Accommodation
Overall the condition of the town centre Education stock in Wrexham is very good, a number of schools have received significant investment to improve the facilities.
Type of School: Age School Condition Grade Community/VC/VA/Foundation Range
Barker’s Lane CP C 3-11 A
Condition grade of other town centre estate:
Type of school: Age School Condition Grade Community/VC/VA/Foundation Range
Acton Park CP C 3-11 A Alexandra CP C 3-11 A Rhosddu CP C 3-11 B Wat’s Dyke CP C 3-11 B Gwenfro CP C 3-11 A Hafod Y Wern CP C 3-11 A St Giles VC 3-11 B Victoria CP C 3-11 B Borras Park CP C 3-11 B St Anne’s Catholic VA 3-11 B St Mary’s VA 3-11 C Ysgol Plas Coch C 3-11 B Ysgol Bodhyfryd C 3-11 B
Welsh Government Key to Condition Grade of Education Premises Grade A Good. Performing as intended and operating efficiently. Grade B Satisfactory. Performing as intended but exhibiting minor deterioration. Grade C Poor. Exhibiting major defects and/ or not operating as intended. Grade D Bad. Life expired and/or serious risk of imminent failure.
7. Interim Arrangements
Interim arrangements would remain as is the current provision at the school.
We are proposing to build on the school site with the school in full operation. There will be no decanting necessary and we hope this will minimise any possible disruption to the pupils, teachers and parents. The school grounds are large enough to ensure that the curriculum will largely remain unaffected. The Authority has significant experience in remodelling programmes of this nature.
8. Impact of Proposals on Surrounding Schools
There remains a continued demand for town centre provision within the County, where over the last two years there have been a number of individuals for whom we have been unable to allocate parental preference.
The proposed Local Development Plan also indicates continued demand within the Town Centre.
By creating the additional spaces in this locality we anticipate that the other town centre schools will benefit from the more even spread of pupils reducing the numbers in each class below the regulated class size of 30.
9. How would Nursery Provision be Affected?
Nursery provision would be increased in line with the new published admissions numbers for Barker’s Lane CP. This would enable more children to be accommodated in town centre nursery provision, where there is a continued demand for nursery places.
Nursery Places Available Nursery Places Available Currently after additional proposal
Barker’s Lane CP 30 45
Acton Park Community Primary 60 60
Alexandra Community Primary 30 30
Rhosddu Community Primary 43 43
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary 45 45
Gwenfro Community Primary 43 43
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary 37 37
St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary 45 45
Victoria Community Primary 60 60
Borras Park Community Primary 58 58 St Anne’s Catholic Primary 24 24
St Mary’s Catholic Primary 48 48
Ysgol Plas Coch 45 45
Ysgol Bodhyfryd 60 60
TOTAL 628 643
This proposal would mean an increase in 15 Nursery places available each year (increase of 2.3% against places available September 2018).
10. Quality and Standards
The Council and the regional school improvement service, GwE, works closely with the governing bodies of schools to ensure that standards in schools are high, that teaching is good and that leadership and governance is strong.
ESTYN
Estyn is the office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and training in Wales. It is a crown body, established under the Education Act 1992. Estyn is independent of the National Assembly for Wales but receives its funding from the Welsh Government under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998. Estyn inspects quality and standards in education and training providers in Wales.
When proposing changes of this type to schools Local Authorities are required to refer to the most recent Estyn report and other evidence derived from performance monitoring and any other information available on a school’s effectiveness.
Local Authorities must also demonstrate the likely impact of the proposals on the quality of:
• Outcome, standards and wellbeing • Provision, learning experiences, teaching, care support and guidance, learning environment. • Leadership and Management (leadership, improving quality, partnership working and resource management)
Schools are inspected as part of a national programme of school inspection. The purpose of an inspection is to identify good features and shortcomings in schools in order that they may improve the quality of education offered and raise standards achieved by their pupils. Estyn Inspection Reports provide grades against key questions and provide schools with recommendations for improvement.
A Summary of the last Estyn report completed in June 2016 for Barker’s Lane CP is detailed below and links to all FULL Estyn reports for all town centre schools are provided.
Summary – Barkers Lane CP Estyn Report June 2016
The school’s current performance: Good The school’s prospects for improvement: Good
Current performance
The school’s current performance is good because:
• Most pupils make strong progress and achieve well • Most pupils achieve good standards of literacy and use these skills well in other areas of learning and subjects across the curriculum • Most pupils behave very well and have a positive attitude towards learning • Pupils’ attendance has placed the school in the top 25% of similar schools for the past four years • Pupils have a strong voice in the running of the school and regularly make valuable contributions to school life • The school provides a wide range of interesting and engaging learning experiences that meet nearly all pupils’ needs well • The ethos of care, respect and trust is successful in raising pupils’ awareness of how to be safe, take responsibility and respect others
Prospects for improvement
The school’s prospects for improvement are good because:
• The headteacher and senior leaders provide clear strategic direction for the school, with a strong focus on raising standards and improving learning opportunities for pupils, and they communicate this vision effectively to all staff • Staff work together well as a close, efficient team • The governing body supports the school well and holds leaders to account effectively • Self-evaluation processes are robust and well established • School leaders focus clearly on a taking forward a suitable number of priorities that bring about improvements in pupils’ standards and wellbeing • It has a beneficial range of partners that help improve pupil outcomes and wellbeing effectively
The above are expected to be maintained and improved following the proposals to reduce class sizes.
Schools Link to Estyn Report
Barker’s Lane Community Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652208
Acton Park Community Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652276
Alexandra Community Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652173
Rhosddu Community Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652191
Wat’s Dyke Community Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652209
Gwenfro Community Primary School https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652270
Hafod Y Wern Community Primary School https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652269
St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary School https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6653055
Victoria Community Primary School https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652277
Borras Park Community Primary School https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652205
St Anne’s Catholic Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6653343 St Mary’s Catholic Primary https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6653334 Ysgol Plas Coch https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652263 Ysgol Bodhyfryd https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652238
• Welsh Government Categorisation System
In 2014 the Welsh Government introduced a new categorisation system that considered each schools standards, alongside the school’s capacity to improve so as to understand the level of support that organisations such as GWE need to provide to each school in order that they achieve their targets. It is emphasised the categorisation system is not to provide a league table of school performance but to understand the level of support a school requires at a given time.
Schools Support Category Acton Park Community Primary RED Alexandra Community Primary GREEN Barker’s Lane Community Primary GREEN Rhosddu Community Primary GREEN Wat’s Dyke Community Primary GREEN Gwenfro Community Primary YELLOW Hafod Y Wern Community Primary YELLOW St Giles Voluntary Controlled Primary GREEN Victoria Community Primary GREEN Borras Park Community Primary YELLOW St Anne’s Catholic Primary AMBER St Mary’s Catholic Primary GREEN Ysgol Plas Coch YELLOW Ysgol Bodhyfryd YELLOW
Category What the category means Green A highly effective school which is well run, has a strong leadership and is clear about its priorities for improvement. Yellow An effective school which is already doing well and knows the areas it needs to improve. Amber A school in need of improvement which needs help to identify the steps to improve or to make change happen more quickly. Red A school in need of greatest improvement and will receive immediate, intense support
For further information about the categorisation scheme please see the Welsh Governments guide to the National Schools Categorisation System: https://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/raisingstandards/schoolcategorisation/?lang=en
Evaluation of the Impact of the Proposal on the Quality and Standard of Education
It is the view of the Local Authority that should the current proposal be implemented it would maintain and continue to improve the current standard and quality of education within the area. The review has set out to address challenges within the area that have the potential to impact upon the sustainability of high quality provision in the future. This proposal seeks to maintain the current standard with a view to strengthening and improving educational provision within the area for the following reasons:
• Outcomes (standards and wellbeing) • Provision (learning experiences, teaching, care, support and guidance, and learning environment) • Leadership and Management (Leadership, improving quality, partnership working and resource management)
Outcomes, provision and leadership at Barker’s Lane are good. The proposal would not have any foreseen impact on this. The Local Authority and GwE will support the school in any curriculum design and structural reviews deemed necessary through the proposal.
11. How would Special Educational Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) be affected?
Provision for pupils with Additional Learning Needs
There will be no change to either EAL or SEN provision. There is no resourced provision at the school and therefore identified pupils will be supported through mainstream provision in respect of Individual Education Plans, statements of Special Educational Needs and support for language acquisition as appropriate.
12. Potential Advantages of Implementing the Proposal
Should the proposal be implemented it is expected that the following benefits would be realised.
• There would be an opportunity to provide new permanent pupil accommodation increasing capacity permanently to 315.
• The town centre schools would have an overall increase in capacity with 105 additional places (plus 15 additional nursery places annually). Local demand would be better met.
• Reduction in class sizes.
• Increase in 1st preference allocations.
• Decrease in nearest suitable school refusals.
• Additional revenue budget secured from Welsh Government to support growth resulting in less pressure on school budget.
• Decrease in transport responsibility for the Authority as fewer pupils refused 1st preference nearest school application.
13. Potential Disadvantages of Implementing the Proposals
Where school organisation proposals are brought forward there will be some disadvantages.
The disadvantages of the proposal are as follows:
1. There is potential of increased traffic in the area
2. This may draw additional pupils that would not have selected Barker’s Lane previously; there may be an uneven reduction of numbers in other town centre schools.
14. Risks Associated with the Proposals
The risks to the Council and the stakeholders are minimal. Risks are mitigated as follows:
‘Drop off effect’ – due to the continuous demand for town centre places, neighbouring schools are unlikely to suffer any downward trend in admissions, as supported by the Council’s future projections.
All possible risks will be monitored as part of Wrexham County Council’s School risk management strategy. By monitoring and ensuring there is a robust approach to the above risks and disadvantages the impact on pupils/parents/carers/teachers and support staff can be minimised.
In view of the above advantages, risks and disadvantages, the Council believes that the longer term benefits of the proposal, such as an increase in places in an area of growing demand, outweigh any disadvantages.
15. Admissions Arrangements
Admission arrangements will remain in line with the Council’s Admissions Procedures. There will be more places available.
The Admissions Policy can be found on: https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/education/admissions/parents_guide.pdf
16. Finance: Costs and Funding
The 2018-19 revenue delegated budget for Barker’s Lane Community Primary School is £703,022 and the school’s unit cost per full time equivalent pupil is £3,285. The financial implications of the proposed increase in capacity has been calculated up to the year 2026, which is when the full effect of the proposed increase, commencing from September 2020, would be final. At that time, the projected numbers registered at the school would be 315 full time pupils and 45 part time pupils. The revenue delegated budget for that year, based on the current resource allocation per pupil values applied for Wrexham Primary schools delegated budgets would be £1,111 million. This is a projected increase of £407,978.
The authority submitted an application for grant funding under the Welsh Government’s Reduction in Infant Class Size initiative. Following consideration of the proposals included in the application, Wrexham CBC has been allocated sums for revenue and capital funding up to March 2021. The sums are £757,404 of revenue funding and £1 million of capital funding.
The main part of the authority’s grant application was for additional funding specifically for creating additional capacity at Barker’s Lane Primary school. The majority of the revenue funding allocated to Wrexham through this grant will be used to support the increase in budget required at Barker’s Lane with other Primary schools in the town centre area also benefiting from part of the funding. This will ensure that all of these Primary schools do not exceed the statutory class size limit for Foundation Phase classes of 30.
The projected unit cost for Barker’s Lane School for 2026, based on current Primary formula delegation and funding value levels is projected at £3,291.
Wrexham Schools are allocated their funding annually through an approved resource allocation formula. The majority of the formula relates to the number of pupils on roll at each school.
In addition to the "pupil driven" portion of the formula, the formula also includes additional allocations related to base allocations, buildings factors such as floor area and also small schools protection factors.
Proposed consultation to permanently increase the capacity at Barker’s Lane CP projected costs per pupil until completion:
Delegated Revenue Budget 2018-19 Unit costs per pupil (2018-19 delegated budget divided by the full time equivalent number of pupils on roll at the school in January 2018) 2018-19 = £3,285
Projected Unit costs per pupil (The school’s projected annual revenue budget divided by the projected full time equivalent pupils on roll for eqch year): Projected 2020-21 £3,311 Projected 2021-22 £3,328 Projected 2022-23 £3,341 Projected 2023-24 £3,327 Projected 2024-25 £3,314 Projected 2025-26 £3,302 Projected 2026-27 £3,291
*Note : The projected Unit costs assume a standstill delegated school’s budget for each year. i.e. The formula values per pupil have been applied for future years at Wrexham’s 2018-19 funding levels.
Additional revenue grant funding has been approved and is available from Welsh Government in order to support the increase in capacity and reduction in class sizes.
There is a possible reduction in transport costs as more people are able to secure a place at their nearest, first preference school.
17. Staff Impact
The impact on staff will be kept to a minimum. There should be no direct impact on teaching, class support and ancillary staff as a result of this proposal.
It is intended that we control the growth of the school, admitting the 45 at entry to Nursery and Reception each year allowing the school adequate time to recruit and review how they deliver their class structure.
There will be a positive impact on the number of posts available, and a phased growth allows sufficient planning and recruitment.
18. Transport Arrangements
More children will be allocated a school place closer to their home, which should have a positive effect on transport and traffic management within the town centre.
19. Welsh language Impact Assessment
A Welsh language impact assessment was carried out in September 2018.
The proposals neither enhances nor impacts negatively on the Welsh Language due to all town centre schools expected to be impacted upon being English medium schools. A separate bid has been made to support Welsh medium primary places.
This is a ‘live’ document that will be updated as the consultation progresses. This document is available to view on request.
20. Impact of the Proposal on the Church in Wales Provision
The proposals neither enhances nor impacts negatively on the Church in Wales provision due to all town centre schools expected to be impacted upon are English medium schools which are not in a faith category.
21. Equality Impact Assessment
An equality impact assessment was carried out in September 2018.
This is a ‘live’ document that will be updated as the consultation progresses. This document is available to view on request.
22. Sustainability
• The Status Quo
The status quo is unsustainable:-
The current estate does not satisfy the local demand for primary school places in the town centre. Barker’s Lane CP has been deemed the location best placed to accommodate additional places, to reduce class sizes in line with the Ministers announcement of available funding.
23. Community Impact Assessment
A community impact assessment was carried out in September 2018. As this proposal does not envisage a school closure the impact on community use of the build should only be enhanced should the increase in pupil capacity be agreed.
This is a ‘live’ document that will be updated as the consultation progresses. This document is available to view on request.
24. Next Steps – How to make your views known
There are several ways in which you can communicate your views with us. Attached to this document there is a response pro forma. This can be completed and returned to us at the address as indicated.
You may contact us via email. The email address for this correspondence is: [email protected].
A response pro-forma is available at:
www.wrexham.gov.uk/barkerslaneconsultation
You may also call to see us at the drop in sessions that will take place at Barker’s Lane CP during the consultation period. At these sessions you will be able to talk to Officers from the Council who will be available to answer your questions. Comments will not be treated as objections at this stage.
25. Key Dates
Date 18 October 2018 Publish Consultation 9th October 2018 Governing Body Meeting 24th October 2018 School Council Meeting Thursday 25th October Drop in Sessions 2018 8:45am-9:30am 3:00pm-5:00pm Wednesday 7th November 2018 5:00pm-6:00pm 12 December 2018 Consultation Ends 12 March 2019 Executive Board Report Post Consultation Report 16 March 2019 Publish Statutory Notices 15 April 2019 End of Statutory Notice period 9 July 2019 Executive board report – Final Decision
26. What Happens Next
Consultation Report
Within 13 weeks of the end of the period allowed for responses (and in any event prior to publication of the proposals), the Council will publish a consultation report which will:
• summarise each of the issues raised by consultees; • respond to these by means of clarification, amendment to the proposal or rejection of the concerns, with supporting reasons. • set out Estyn’s view (as provided in its consultation response) of the overall merits of the proposal.
The consultation report may also make recommendations about how to proceed i.e. to publish the proposals as consulted on with any appropriate modifications, to abandon the proposals and retain the status quo or to significantly recast the proposals and re- consult.
The Council will ensure that any views expressed by children and young people affected by the proposals are highlighted in the consultation report and that it is made accessible to them.
The consultation report will be published electronically, on the schools and the Council’s website. In addition, hard copies will be made available on request.
The Statutory Process
The consultation process is subject to the requirements of the School Organisation Code, document number 006/2013.
Following the end of this consultation, 12 December 2018, the Council will publish a report on the consultation which will be available on the Council’s website.
The Lead Member for Education will present the report to the Executive Board on 12 March 2019.
If the recommendation is accepted by the Executive Board then a statutory notice will be issued and a 28 day objection period will begin. A report will be published on the views expressed to the Council during the objection period, and will be available on the Council’s website.
27. Consultation Period
This consultation period will run from 18 October 2018 to 12 December 2018.
Representations received during this period WILL NOT be counted as objections. Further representations will need to be submitted during the ‘Statutory Notice’ published timescale (subject to the publication of Statutory Notices) if consultees would like to submit an objection to the proposals.
28. Publication of Statutory Notices
Subject to the approval of a Post Consultation Report due to be presented to Executive Board on 12 March 2019.
29. Determination of Proposals
The results of the statutory notice and objection report will be presented to the Council’s Executive Board on 9 July 2019.
30. Decision Notification
Following the decision of the Executive Board a decision notification will be made available to all consultees. This notification will also be published on the Council’s website as soon as possible following the decision.
Response Pro-forma
A response pro-forma for comments, including an opportunity for consultees to register their wish to be notified of publication of the consultation report, is attached to the consultation document.
CONSULTATION RESPONSE PROFORMA
Consultation Regarding the Increase in Capacity at Barker’s Lane Community Primary
Your Comments:-
Name and Address:-
Please tick box if you wish to be notified of the publication of the consultation report
Please Note: This sheet is for consultation purposes only. All comments will be considered within the consultation process, however, individual responses will not be provided.
Please return this form to:
Barker’s Lane Consultation Wrexham County Borough Council Education Department Lambpit Street Wrexham LL11 1AR
Alternatively you can complete the online version at www.wrexham.gov.uk/barkerslaneconsultation
Or you can e-mail your views to [email protected]