Agenda Item: 7A Wolverhampton City Council OPEN EXECUTIVE DECISION ITEM (AMBER) Cabinet / Cabinet Panel CABINET Date 12 SEPTEMBER 2007 Portfolio(s) SCHOOLS Originating Service Group(s) PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOPMENT Contact Officer(s)/ DEB BREEDON KEY DECISION NO Telephone Number(s) 01902 551250 IN FORWARD PLAN NO Title/Subject Matter FALLING SCHOOL PUPIL NUMBERS SCRUTINY REVIEW 1.0 Recommendation 1.1 That Cabinet receive the report and recommendations of the Review Group and refer the executive response to Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel. 2.0 Purpose of Report 2.1 To bring to the attention of Cabinet the report and recommendations of the Falling Pupil Numbers Scrutiny Review Group and to agree the executive response. (See appendix 1 & 2) 3.0 Background 3.1 In July 2006 members at a scrutiny away day identified public concerns relating to school mergers and closures as a topic that Members wished to investigate in a scrutiny review. The Scrutiny Review Group was established in December 2006 and agreed to consider the issue of falling pupil numbers and to consider the process of consultation and decision making in respect of falling pupil numbers. 3.2 The Review Group met on five occasions and visited four sites to inform the review. Date Purpose of the meeting 7 December 2006 to agree the scope for the review, receive background information and consider evidence 23 January 2007 site visit to Manor School 1 February 2007 to consider expert witness evidence, further evidence and report back from site visit 21 February 2007 to consider interim report, further evidence and identify findings and start to formulate recommendations 27 February 2007 site visits to Timken Vocational Centre, Grove Primary School and St Luke’s Primary School 5 April 2007 to consider report back from site visits, draft report and pull together findings 24 May 2007 to consider revised draft report and make recommendations 3.3 The group considered the ongoing consultation process in relation to Wednesfield Primary Schools organisation and determined that any scrutiny of the process being undertaken in this case would not be constructive. Members acknowledged that in this case Review Group members, who were also Ward Councillors and School Governors in Wednesfield, had made contributions to the consultation process for the school organisation. 3.4 During the investigation the Review Group worked closely with officers David Rawlinson and Paul Dean and was advised by Tim Westwood, Peter Hawthorne and Tony Pitchers. Some members conducted site visits to school premises, spoke to children and staff and reported back to the Review Group. 4.0 Messages from the Review 4.1 The Review Group considered the strategy to be a sound basis when considering the development and organisation of primary school education in the City, but recognised that in order to demonstrate a reasoned strategy to the community there is a need to look at surplus places ‘Citywide’ rather than on a piecemeal basis. Members felt that the consultation process should be strengthened to give cross party consensus to school organisation in the City. 4.2 The Review Group considered how the legislative changes, the developing role of Members in the community, developing extended schools agenda and other local initiatives give greater focus on schools at the core of local communities. The Group identified ways to reduce surplus places by improving the quality of our schools, promoting community identity in schools and attracting pupils into local schools. 4.3 Members recognised that whilst there are strategies in place to ensure the authority is planning and re-acting to surplus places both in primary and secondary education, there is a need to promote quality schools and to ensure the best locations for schools to suit the needs of the people in the City when building schools for the future. 4.4 The Review Group welcome the best practice and commitment carried out in schools in the City and seek to promote the following ethos in schools in Wolverhampton:- • Self Discipline • Respect • Self Respect • Self Worth • Strong expectations from staff and pupils 5.0 Performance Management Implications 5.1 The Council’s strategic model is supported by the Corporate Scorecard, containing a set of outcomes and targets to bring focus on the key areas for improvement if we are to deliver our corporate priorities. The scrutiny of falling pupil numbers supports the strategic priorities of delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people and their families and becoming an excellent Council. 5.2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2007-08 Messages from the review (paragraph 4.0) suggest that numbers of surplus places directly affect the resources available and hence the quality of a school. This in turn will have an effect on pupil attainment, the KPIs for which are as follows: Strategic Corporate Service 2007-8 Measure and Target Model Plan group code priority 01 CYP CYP Increase the percentage of pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at A*-C (including Maths and English) • 2007-8 - 60% • 2008-9 - 61% 02 CYP CYP Improve KS2 results in Maths and English • 2007-8 – Maths =74% ; English = 74% • 2008-9 – Maths =76% ; English = 76% 04 CYP CYP Achieve 58% of Looked After Children with 1+ GCSE at A* - G 06 SC CYP Increase post 16 participation in education and LSC funded work- based learning of 16 & 17 year olds • 2007-8 – 88% for post 16 yr olds • 2008-9 – 89% for post 16 yr olds 5.3 The report attached also takes account of recent legislative changes affecting school organisation, the mechanisms and processes required to deal with surplus places and supports the strategic priority of delivering an excellent Council 6.0 Financial Implications The recommendations outlined in this review should be met from within existing budget. 7.0 Equality Implications Overview and Scrutiny members have an important role in ensuring all children and young people receive services suitable to their needs that parents can choose the school their child attends, that the strategy for School organisation in Wolverhampton consults all interested parties in the community and considers the wider implications and long term sustainability of school organisation in Wolverhampton. Contact Officer: Deb Breedon Ext. 1250 Appendix 1 Falling School Pupil Numbers Scrutiny Review July 2007 - 1 - DB 12.9.07 Cabinet Contents Chair’s Foreword Introduction Page 3 Section 1 Recommendations Page 4-5 Section 2 Terms of Reference Page 6 Section 3 Background and Executive Summary Page 7 Section 4 The National Agenda Page 10 Section 5 Funding Page 11 Section 6 School Organisation Process Page 13 Section 7 Issues arising Page 16 The Current Pupil Admissions System Quality Schools Pupil mobility and cross border movement Transition from Key Stages 2 to 3 Pupil Retention post 16 Regeneration Section 8 Summary of Findings Page 23 Appendices Appendix 1 Age x Ward 2001 Census Data Appendix 2 Briefing note 14-19 Development Team Appendix 3 Wolverhampton Business Partnership Team Appendix 4 Building Schools for the Future (Secondary) Appendix 5 Map Primary Schools Location - population 5-10 years Appendix 6 Map Secondary Schools Location – population aged 11-15 years - 2 - DB 12.9.07 Cabinet Chair’s Foreward I would like to thank all Members, officers and representatives of the Education Business Partnership for their contributions during this review and on behalf of the Review Group I would like to offer a special thanks to staff and young people for their hospitality and enthusiasm during our visits to their premises. The issue of school closure is naturally a cause for public concern and is almost always a controversial issue for the Council to address. This review focused on falling pupil numbers in schools. We investigated the possible reasons and trends relating to surplus places in schools, we visited schools in the City and talked to staff and pupils and we considered all of the evidence to recognise possible actions, for consideration by Cabinet. We found this Review very interesting and were determined that the issue of surplus places in schools and school organisation should not be re-active, it is an issue that requires forward thinking, monitoring and a vision for how we want our schools in the City to be now and in the future. Ensuring they are fit for purpose for our future generations. Sandra Samuels Chair of Scrutiny Review Full membership of the Review can be seen at paragraph 2.2 of the report - 3 - DB 12.9.07 Cabinet Introduction Wolverhampton is a multi-cultural City and we recognise the importance and difficulties of providing school education in the City to suit every individuals needs. Our schools should provide a safe learning environment and respond to individuals needs, the diversity of our local communities and the growth and prosperity of the City. The Leader of the Council has outlined four priorities for the City– namely: • To deliver the best possible outcomes for Children and young people and their families • To make communities safer and stronger • To improve the health and wellbeing of our communities • To develop sustainable communities This review focuses on the issue of falling school pupil numbers and aims to make recommendations that support the leaders’ priorities. The City is by no means alone in its decision to close schools. There are approximately 500,000 primary school places in England that are empty. Across the Country there is a trend of falling pupil numbers in primary schools and the decline is expected to continue for at least the next twenty years. It is a matter for Children’s Services Authorities to decide how they deal with the challenge in their area. The overall aim of school organisation in Wolverhampton is to ensure sustainable and thriving schools where each and every child has the opportunity to succeed.