WILTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 10 CABINET 15 April 2005

FEDERATION OF AND MONKTON FARLEIGH PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Purpose of this Report

1. This reports sets out the background to, and results, of consultation undertaken in the period February – March 2005. It recommends that the governors of the two schools and the LEA move forward together to publish statutory proposals to federate the two schools. In the first instance, this federation will take the form of two schools, each providing for 4-11 year olds, under the leadership of a single Headteacher and Governing Body.

Background

2. The governors of Atworth Community Primary School and Monkton Farleigh & Church of Primary School have been in discussion for some time about the prospects of becoming a federated school. As a result, the two governing bodies and the LEA consulted this Easter Term with parents and others interested parties. The consultation period finished on Friday 18 March 2005.

3. The consultation document is attached to this report as Appendix A. The notes of the consultation meetings are attached as Appendix B. A summary of the written responses is given below. The response of two of the governing bodies and copies of the written responses are available in the Members Room.

Main Issues for the Council

4. The aims of the review were summarised in the consultation document. The main aim was to see how best to maintain standards of education for the village communities served by the schools. Both Atworth and Monkton Farleigh & South Wraxall schools have been rated as good by OFSTED inspections and pupils do well at these schools.

5. The consultation document asked whether those being consulted supported the proposal for federation, or whether they favoured leaving things as they are. Of the written responses received, the breakdown is as follows:

Option Atworth Monkton Farleigh For 1 Parent 1 Parent Federation 1 Parent/Governor/ Staff Undecided 3 Parents 1 Parent at this stage Leave things 2 Parents 1 parent as they are

E:\modernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Cabinet (WCC)\20050415\Agenda\Item No. 10 - Federation of Monkton Farleigh and Atworth Primary Schools -0.doc 6. The meetings were attended by approximately 50 people and revealed a range of opinions. Staff and Governor meetings concluded by supporting the federation but with an awareness that there were many operational details to be resolved. At the parent meetings there was support for the proposal but many questions and some doubts. Parents were interested in details about how the school would operate on two sites. However, as it was still early in the planning process for the federation, the governing bodies were not in a position to give answers to many of these questions. It was explained to parents that the guiding principle would be to seek solutions that would benefit learning for pupils in both communities and therefore any arrangements would need to be flexible and could change from year to year.

7. Having considered the views of those consulted both Governing Bodies are clear that their proposal for federation represents the best way forward for their schools. Some Atworth parents felt that given numbers were due to rise at their schools, many of the small school issues would have less impact. However, even with one hundred pupils there is still a significant risk that the pressure on Headteacher and subject co-ordinators would remain unsustainable and the federated school may be better placed to implement the workforce reform agenda through having more staff with a wider range of skills.

8. A question raised in the consultation document was about the category of the proposed federated school. Meetings of both Atworth and Monkton Farleigh have indicated that no strong views were held. However, at Monkton Farleigh retaining voluntary controlled status would be preferred.

Environmental Impact of the Proposal

9. The cost of one bus trip per week has been included in the budget for this proposal.

Risk Assessment

10. If governing bodies and Members decide to proceed to the statutory proposal stage (set out in consultation document), the School Organisation Committee’s approval cannot be guaranteed, but will be dependent on their weighing of the responses and the likely benefits.

Financial Implications

11. It is expected that savings will arise from the federation of the schools, for example, through the reduction from two head teachers to one. It has been estimated that each federation will save approximately £50,000 in a full year. This saving is released in to the overall schools budget and is therefore available for redistribution within the delegated budget. It is recognised, however, that there are also costs associated with the federating of schools, both in the preparation period and potentially through additional transport of pupils between split sites.

Schools Forum have agreed that additional funding of £22,229 should be made available through the funding formula to schools moving towards federation. This funding is to come from within the schools budget and is to cover management and administration costs during the preparation period. This funding is to be shared between the schools involved.

In addition to this lump sum, where one of the schools has been receiving a small school curriculum protection factor this will be protected on a tapered basis for two years. In the cases of Atworth and Monkton Farleigh & South Wraxall schools, it is likely that Monkton

E:\modernGov\Data\Committ\Intranet\Cabinet (WCC)\20050415\Agenda\Item No. 10 - Federation of Monkton Farleigh and Atworth Primary Schools -0.doc Farleigh & South Wraxall will be receiving a curriculum protection factor at the time of the federation as it is estimated to have fewer than 35 pupils on roll over the next few years. Depending on the date at which the federation takes place, the protection factor will be continued based on the pupil numbers in the January prior to the federation. This delays the point at which the overall saving is achieved.

Options Considered

12. These are as set out in the consultation document.

Reasons for Proposals

13. As stated in the consultation document, and reiterated at paragraph 4 above, the aim of the governors and the LEA is to maintain standards of education for the village communities served by the schools. Whilst the outcome of the consultation exercise did not reveal overwhelming support amongst parents either for the proposed change or for the status quo, the governing bodies and staff are fully behind the proposals for change. With all parties to the proposals acting in unison, it is likely that the change to a federated school will bring about continuing improved attainment.

Proposal

14. (i) That the Director, Department for Children & Education be recommended to support the governors of Atworth and Monkton Farleigh & South Wraxall schools in working with the LEA to produce statutory proposals which will lead to a federated school to serve the three village communities.

(ii) To ask the Director, Department for Children & Education to report back to Cabinet at a later date on the progress of the proposals.

Bob Wolfson Director, Department for Children & Education

Report Author: Tom Lindsay, joint acting Head of School Buildings & Places (Ext. 3787) Unpublished documents relied upon in the production of this report: None

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