ITEM NO:13 Appendix 10B

ITEM NO:13 Appendix 10b

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL

Proposals to open a new Secondary School (New School East) and linked Closures of Grove Park Business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College and Change of Character to The Sholing Technology College

Part 1: New School East

In accordance with section 66(8) of the Education Act 2005, Southampton City Council hereby gives notice that following their notice of 06 December 2006 inviting proposals for a new secondary school at the site of the current Grove Park Business and Enterprise College at The Grove, Southampton SO19 9LX the following proposals have been received: ______

CfBT Education Trust, 60 Queens Road, Reading, RG1 4BS (www.cfbt.com) has submitted a proposal to establish a new Foundation School. Membership of the Foundation will be determined at a later date.

Religious character: None

Ethos: To deliver outstanding educational outcomes for every student by building and sustaining a pro-education culture throughout the school and its community – ‘learning to get the best out of life’.

New School East will put the young person at the heart of learning within the community. Enhanced achievement will be delivered through developing individual skills, aptitudes and interests thereby raising aspirations and ambition.

Whilst the ethos of the school will be rooted in high expectations and aspirations, CfBT also aims to encourage global thinking and positive attitudes. CfBT, as an international education charity, is uniquely placed to do this.

Specialism: Languages and Business and Enterprise. In consultation with the local authority and the Senior Leadership Team we will consider applying for vocational designation. We are particularly keen to develop the business and enterprise specialism, with our specialist industry partner, Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA).

Divergence from specification for the school set out in the statutory notice of 6 December 2006: none

‘Extended services’ to be provided – The New School East will develop a core offer of extended school services that will:

• put the school at the centre of its community, with opportunities for co-located services • extend its services to support, where appropriate, primary education and post-16 learning (including further and higher education and learning for adults), so creating the ethos of whole community learning (the ‘Learning Park’) and at the same time smooth the transition between the different phases of learning

A brief statement of the evidence for the need in the area for any ethos, religious or philosophical character:

Not applicable.

Summary of the proposed admission arrangements including the extent to which any denominational priority will be given

The New School East will not have a religious character. As a Trust school it will set its own admissions criteria in accordance with the Admissions Code of Practice.

The Trust will not select students by ability. We assume the school will have a fully comprehensive intake. All students admitted to the school will be subject to a range of internal diagnostic assessments to assist with banding arrangements in core subjects. ______

Oasis Community Learning, 1a Kennington Road, London SE1 7QP (www.oasiscommunitylearning.org) has submitted a proposal to establish a new Academy.

Religious character: The proposed school will have a Christian religious character

Ethos: Central to Oasis Community Learning’s ethos is the idea of a rich and balanced educational environment - academically, vocationally, socially, morally, spiritually, emotionally and environmentally.

The Academy will provide a welcoming environment for students of all faiths and none, it will serve the whole community and work in close cooperation and partnership with the Local Authority.

Oasis Community Learning’s goal is to raise aspirations, unlock students' potential and work towards achieving excellence through encouraging a 'can do' culture; to nurture confident and competent people who are informed and active learners with a strong sense of self-confidence who can explore questions, seek solutions, solve problems and are not afraid to fail initially.

Specialism: Business and Enterprise with Languages.

Divergence from specification for the school set out in the statutory notice of 6 December 2006: none

‘Extended services’ to be provided – Oasis Community Learning is committed to providing a wide range of Extended Services both for the academy’s students and for the wider community. The school will become a centre for life-long learning as well as a community hub.

A brief statement of the evidence for the need in the area for any ethos, religious or philosophical character:

Schools with a religious character prove to be very popular with parents in Southampton. Most of them are full and appeals by parents expressing a preference for these schools are regularly heard. These parents are not just from Christian backgrounds, but also from other faiths or none.

With regard to secondary education, St Anne’s School is regularly oversubscribed, attracting pupils from across Southampton and beyond. Christian schools have earned a good reputation for educational performance and meeting the distinctive needs of each child. Parents value the security they feel in sending children to a school which they know has a well-grounded basis for its values and moral standards.

Summary of the proposed admission arrangements including the extent to which any denominational priority will be given

Oasis Community Learning will operate a fully inclusive, non-selective admissions policy that demonstrates inclusion and diversity. All 900 places at the Academy will be free and available to the local community. ______

Southampton Education Trust, Professor Roger Brown, Vice Chancellor, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YN (www.southamptoneducationtrust.org) has submitted a proposal to establish a new Foundation School. Membership of the Foundation will be determined at a later date.

Religious character: The proposed school will not have a religious character.

Ethos: The Trust’s vision is of a high achieving, inclusive, school which works in partnership with other providers and the local community to enable students to achieve their potential through an educational experience geared as closely as possible to their individual needs. It will be a place where all faiths are respected and valued. The aim is for all students to obtain both an excellent preparation for citizenship and a love of learning for its own sake. The school will have high standards of behaviour. The curriculum will emphasise the importance of environmental sustainability and a healthy lifestyle. Students will leave school with a greater sense of purpose and a heightened degree of confidence in their abilities.

Specialism: The school will excel in the twin specialisms of Business and Enterprise and Languages. This will be accomplished through an innovative and dynamic curriculum with a strong focus on the maritime character of Southampton

Divergence from specification for the school set out in the statutory notice of 6 December 2006: none

‘Extended services’ to be provided – The Trust proposes to develop a Learning Campus at New School East working with partner universities, post-16 providers, primary schools and other children’s settings. The Trust proposes that the school should be open from 8am to 6pm and then through to 10pm for community learning and support activities. It also intends to work with community organisations to enable a variety of learning opportunities to be available over weekends and holiday periods. This will include strong sport and outdoor learning components, often involving the maritime theme such as sailing and other water-based activities, but will not be limited to these areas of learning.

A brief statement of the evidence for the need in the area for any ethos, religious or philosophical character:

The trust believes that the area will benefit from a school with the distinctive ethos and specialisms proposed.

Summary of the proposed admission arrangements including the extent to which any denominational priority will be given

The new school will adopt the same admissions policy as that applying to community schools in the city. It will serve the communities previously served by Grove Park and Woolston. ______

United Learning Trust, 23 Chapel Street, Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire NN14 3DA (www.ult.org.uk) has submitted a proposal to establish a new Academy.

Ethos: The objectives of the United Learning Trust are to enable each student to become a balanced, happy, articulate and successful person with the intellectual freedom to be creative; the confidence to initiate; the flexibility to adapt to change; the compassion to serve others; the motivation to have a lifelong love of learning; and to be a person of integrity leading a principled life. ULT also aims to be an employer of choice, ensuring that staff have a wealth of opportunities to explore and to build their skills and knowledge.

The academy will be a “school of religious character” based on the principles of respect, care and service to others, discipline and hard work. It will be non-denominational and fully inclusive, welcoming those of all faiths and none and learners of all ages and abilities.

Each student will be a valued and respected member of the academy community and the education received will be personalised and tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. Learning will be motivating, rewarding and will be focussed on bringing out the ‘Best in Everyone’.

Specialism: Languages with Business and Enterprise

Divergence from specification for the school set out in the statutory notice of 6 December 2006: None

‘Extended services’ to be provided: The ULT wishes to work with the city council, local providers, other schools and colleges, voluntary organisations and social agencies to provide the community with access to a wide range of opportunities including:

• Adult and family learning • Health and social care • Parenting and family support • Youth service provision • A broad range of extra-curricular activities including study support as well as sports, music, language and recreational clubs

Summary of the proposed admission arrangements including the extent to which any denominational priority will be given

The Academy:

• Will be open to and welcome boys and girls of all abilities, race, colour religion, nationality and background • Will seek an intake of students who live close to the academy within the local community • Will give priority of admission to those with a statements of special educational need that names the Academy; students who are in public care; student with a sibling or siblings currently attending the predecessor schools; students who live closest to the Academy ______

Complete copies of the proposals can be inspected at the following addresses:

Children's Services and Learning, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate, Southampton SO15 1BZ Grove Park Business and Enterprise College, The Grove, Southampton SO19 9LX Woolston School Language College, Porchester Road, Southampton SO19 2JD Central Library, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LW Bitterne Library, Bitterne Road East, Southampton, SO18 5EG Woolston Library, Portsmouth Road, Southampton, SO19 9AF

The proposals can be viewed online at: www.southampton.gov.uk, following the links for “Learning Futures”

Public meetings will be held at:

Grove Park Business and Enterprise College at 18:30 on Thursday 26th April 2007 Woolston School Language College at 18:30 on Tuesday 8th May 2007

Note

These proposals are ‘linked proposals’ with those to close Grove Park Business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College (Part 2 of this Notice) and to increase the admissions number and change the character of The Sholing Technology College from single sex to mixed (Part 3 of this Notice). ______

Representations:

Within six weeks after the date of publication of the above proposals (i.e. by 29th May 2007), any person may object to or make comments on the proposals by sending their representations to:

Andrew Hind, Head of Strategic Development, Southampton City Council, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate, Southampton, SO15 1BZ

Or by email to [email protected]

Within 2 weeks after the end of the representation period, the LEA will send to the School Organisation Committee for the area copies of all objections and comments made (and not withdrawn in writing) within the representation period, together with the Authority's observations on them.

Signed

CLIVE WEBSTER Executive Director of Children’s Services and Learning Southampton City Council

Date 16th April 2007

Part 2: Closure of Grove Park Business & Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ("The Act"), that Southampton City Council intends to make the following changes: In accordance with section 29(1) of the Act to discontinue the following schools on 31 August 2008:

• Grove Park Business and Enterprise College, The Grove, Southampton SO19 9LX • Woolston School Language College, Porchester Road, Southampton SO19 2JD

It is intended that all existing pupils of both schools transfer to a new school to be established on 1 September 2008 (see Part 1 of this notice) - even if this temporarily takes the number on roll above the 900 places planned.

The new school will principally be based on the site of the existing Grove Park Business and Enterprise College with the Woolston School Language College site retained as an annexe.

The Grove Park and Woolston sites are approximately one mile apart and are served by several public service buses. No additional transport arrangements are planned. Pupils will be entitled to assistance under the Southampton City Council Home to School Transport policy if eligible.

Representations:

Within six weeks after the date of publication of the above proposals (i.e. by 29th May 2007), any person may object to or make comments on the proposals by sending their representations to:

Andrew Hind, Head of Strategic Development, Southampton City Council, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate, Southampton SO15 1BZ

Or by email to [email protected]

Within one month after the end of the representation period, the Council will send to the School Organisation Committee for the area copies of all objections and comments made (and not withdrawn in writing) within the representation period, together with the Council's observations on them.

Signed

CLIVE WEBSTER Executive Director of Children’s Services and Learning Southampton City Council

Date 16th April 2007

Explanatory Notes:

1. These proposals have been made following a wide ranging review and consultation on the future provision of secondary education in the city entitled ‘Learning Futures’.

2. These proposals, taken together with, though not linked to, proposals for the East of the City have been made following the review to secure the Council aim of achieving an overall reduction in the number of surplus secondary places in the city whilst enabling the expansion of popular and successful schools and improving overall standards and efficient provision of learning within the city.

3. The linked proposals to establish a new school and expand The Sholing Technology College and change its character from single sex to mixed will ensure the total supply of school places on the east of the city meets projected pupil numbers.

4. The details of the interim arrangements, including the use of the Woolston annexe will be determined by the governing body and head teacher of the new school in consultation with Southampton City Council.

5. These proposals are made in accordance with current legislation relating to school organisation changes pursuant to the School Standards and Frameworks Act 1998 and associated secondary legislation but regard has been had to the provisions of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the proposed School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Maintained Schools)(England) Regulations 2007. Should these regulations come into force before the proposals set out in this Notice are determined by the School Organisation Committee, the relevant decision maker for the proposals will change to the City Council.

Part 3: Sholing Technology College Change of Character

Notice is hereby given in accordance with section 28(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ("The Act"), that Southampton City Council intends to make the following prescribed alteration to The Sholing Technology College, Middle Road, Southampton SO19 8PH by changing the character of the school from single sex to co-educational from 1 September 2008.

It is proposed that the school, currently for girls only, becomes a co-educational school from 1 September 2008 by admitting boys and girls to Year 7.

The number of pupils to be admitted to the school at age 11 on 1 September 2008 and in subsequent years will be 210.

The proposed admission number is higher than the current indicated admission number of 190. This is because the proposal is linked with proposals to close Grove Park Business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College and replace them with a new 900 place mixed school on the Grove Park site. Taken together the proposals will meet the projected need for school places in the area. The change in admission number at The Sholing Technology College is not a statutory proposal and will be achieved through the normal Admissions Process.

The arrangements for the transport of pupils to the school will be in accordance with the Council’s current policy.

Representations

Within six weeks after the date of publication of these proposals (i.e. by 29 May 2007), any person may object to or make comments on the proposals by sending the representations to:

Andrew Hind, Head of Strategic Development, Southampton City Council, Children’s Services and Learning, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate, Southampton SO15 1BZ.

Signed

CLIVE WEBSTER Executive Director of Children’s Services and Learning Southampton City Council

Date 16 April 2007

Explanatory Notes:

1 The proposals have been made following a wide-ranging review and consultation on the future provision of secondary education in the city. It is judged that changing the schools from single- sex to mixed status will best promote the development of successful schools in this part of the city.

2 Alterations will be carried out to the buildings of both schools to enable each school to make provision for the education of pupils of both sexes. 3 The feeder schools for The Sholing Technology College will be Bitterne CE Junior School and Sholing Junior School. St Monica Junior School will be deemed to be a feeder school both to The Sholing Technology College and the New School East.

4. These proposals are made in accordance with current legislation relating to school organisation changes pursuant to the School Standards and Frameworks Act 1998 and associated secondary legislation but regard has been had to the provisions of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the proposed School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools)(England) Regulations 2007. Should these regulations come into force before the proposals set out in this Notice are determined by the School Organisation Committee, the relevant decision maker for the proposals will change to the City Council.

5 These proposals will be treated as an application for a Transitional Exemption Order in relation to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA) to allow the change from single sex to co-educational to be phased as set out in this Notice.

6 The linked proposals to establish a new school and expand The Sholing Technology College and change its character from single sex to mixed will ensure the total supply of school places on the east of the city meets projected pupil numbers.