ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES: EDUCATION THIS IS A FORMAL CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT This paper is concerned with future education provision for non-denominational pupils residing within the delineated area of the secondary school identified in this document. THE PROPOSAL The relocation of Dunoon Grammar School to a new building on a new joint campus site with Dunoon Primary School, Kirn Primary School and St Mun’s Primary School This document has been issued by the Community Services Department of Argyll and Bute Council for consultation in terms of the Education (Publication & Consultation etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and Amendment Regulations 1987, 1988 and 1989. 1.0 INTRODUCTION In September 2000, Argyll and Bute Council agreed to establish a Capital Funding Project charged with delivering a significant and sustainable improvement to the school estate through the development of a type of Public Private Partnership known as the Non Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO) model (see appendix 1 for greater detail and explanation). Following an indicative award of additional revenue funding from the Scottish Executive and their confirmed support, the Council agreed to pursue a PPP\NPDO project for 28 schools of which 2 were designated as rebuilds with the remaining 26 designated as refurbishments. The Council advertised for private partners to bid for this contract and in their advert emphasised their wish for the private sector to bring forward innovative solutions where possible and appropriate. Two compliant bids were received and after detailed and thorough evaluation by the Council team and their external advisers, the Council agreed in March 2004 that Precept should be appointed as the Provisional Preferred Bidder. The current status of Provisional Preferred Bidder reflects ongoing negotiations whereby, without reduction in the quality standard specification, the financial model can sustain the inclusion of all 28 schools (now 29 given the proposal to include Whitegates Learning Centre). Should an affordability gap remain, it is likely that the total number of schools will have to be reviewed. The reprioritisation would be based on continuing with the priorities below within a reduced budget . Throughout the process reference was made to the following: Scottish Ministerial Priorities which include: • Deal with the worst problems first • Secure value for money • Support 21st century learning and teaching • Meet wider community needs • Maintain momentum and encourage innovation The Council’s commitment to address issues arising from: • The current quality of the school buildings in Argyll & Bute with a commitment to deal with the poorest buildings first • A geographical approach to allow the bringing together of a number of schools to achieve, wherever possible, economies of scale 2 • Giving priority to secondary schools in order that key deficiencies could be addressed Other key factors: The continuing impact of current conditions on the learning environment and the quality of learning and teaching The Council’s ongoing commitment to raising standards and maximising the potential of every pupil • The consequences and cost implications for both revenue and capital arising from the continuing deterioration of those schools which represented the worst problems Embracing all of the above, the solution proposed by Precept is highly innovative and is based on the premise that the best solution, where possible, is to rebuild rather than refurbish schools because it is less disruptive to pupils and more cost effective. In a number of instances, schools should be co-located in new buildings on the one educational campus whereby economies of scale can be realised and where schools can share enhanced facilities. In order to ensure that disruption to education is kept to a minimum Precept have proposed that 18 of these new schools should be built on new sites. Subject to final confirmation of affordability and deliverability, the Council has indicated that it is minded to accept the proposals brought forward by Precept. The current status of Provisional Preferred Bidder reflects ongoing negotiations to seek ways whereby, without any reduction in the quality standards specification, the total financial model can sustain the inclusion of all 29 schools. However, should an affordability gap remain it is likely that the total number of schools included would have to be reduced. In such a situation the reprioritisation would be based on continuing with the highest number of schools possible within the restricted budget available. The proposal to re-site schools means that the Council has a statutory duty to formally consult with parents, staff, pupils and community stakeholders and to ascertain their reaction to these proposals. Accordingly this document is issued as a formal consultative document in terms of the Education (Publication & Consultation etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 1981 and Amendment Regulations 1987, 1988 & 1989 (Appendix 2 provides the complete list of 18 schools which are the subject of formal consultation). Formal Consultation Members of Council wish to ensure the fullest possible public consultation on the proposals and to that end have appointed an external and independent consultant to make the necessary arrangements and to oversee all of the consultative process. This will include: 3 • The dissemination of all relevant information • The co-ordination of the consultative process in its various formats • The collation and analysis of all formal responses A final report to Council will be considered and taken into account by elected members when the final decisions are made. (Appendix 3 provides the full details of the consultative process and procedures which are to be adopted.) The external consultant appointed is Mr Bob McKay. Mr McKay is the former Director of Education for Perth and Kinross (1995 – 2000) and previously has had extensive directorate experience in both Strathclyde and Tayside Regions (spanning 8 years). He is a former CoSLA adviser and President of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland. 4 2.0 SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR DUNOON GRAMMAR SCHOOL SCHOOL The proposal is that Dunoon Grammar School be relocated on a new site. The new site will be a joint campus comprising Dunoon Grammar School, St Mun’s R.C. Primary School, and the new school created by the amalgamation of Dunoon and Kirn Primary Schools. The above will, as normal, be subject to the due planning process. Background Dunoon Grammar School is currently located in Ardenslate Road, Kirn, Dunoon and has a capacity of 1158. It is a secondary school for pupils aged 12 – 18 and the pupil roll as of September 2003 was 1009. The projected roll to 2010 is 859. The school is also designated to make provision for pupils with significant special educational needs in a learning centre. Independent examination of the building has confirmed a substantial range of physical difficulties and further that the scale and extent of the difficulties are such that it would not make economic sense to pursue a comprehensive plan for extensive repairs, remediation and refurbishment. These conclusions have been confirmed by an independent report from a structural engineer. The Provisional Preferred Bidder, as approved in March 2004, satisfies the following key requirements: • The establishment of a plan which will provide clearly defined quality standards • The creation of ‘fit for purpose’ school buildings meeting the educational needs of young people today and in the future • The creation of schools appropriate for the development and use of new technology 5 The proposed agreement reached between the Council and the Provisional Preferred Bidder means that: • The Council will be responsible for the final specification both in terms of buildings and related services • The Provisional Preferred Bidder will be responsible for the final design, as approved and agreed with Council, and the completion of all new builds • The Provisional Preferred Bidder will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of quality and standards of the building for 30 years. In addition at the end of 30 years the Provisional Preferred Bidder will be responsible for passing the school to the ownership of the Council with a guarantee of the maintenance of quality and standards for a further five years. • It is intended that the final financial close for the project will be October 2004. A programme of construction will then be prepared by the Provisionally Preferred Bidder with a completion date of June 2007. Educational Considerations The current school building is outmoded, uninspiring and at the end of its economic life. The educational implications are therefore self-evident. It does not provide the positive ethos and educational environment required for a modern secondary school. There are significant restrictions and constraints for a school seeking to take forward the modern curricular strategies and the overall state of the building is not conducive to effective learning and teaching. In addition the difficulties and constraints impose day to day management problems. The New Joint Campus offers: • A new modern building with high quality services • A model which will encourage inclusivity and the continuation of education for all pupils and allow for enhanced joint working between Pre 5, Primary, SEN and Secondary • An environment more conducive to effective learning and teaching • A high quality of modern resources to be shared e.g. indoor and outdoor P.E.