NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: Learning & Leisure Services Subject: Review of Gartcosh Primary Committee School and Chryston Primary School Catchment Zones From: Head of Educational Resources Date: March 201 1 Ref: MMlBMlFC Purpose of Report This report details the outcome of the consultation on the proposed amendment to the catchment zones of Gartcosh Primary School and Chryston Primary School. Recommendations The learning and leisure services committee is recommended to approve that: (a) at the end of school session 2010/2011 area A which is zoned to both Gartcosh and Chryston Primary Schools be zoned exclusively to Chryston Primary School and (b) all pupils from area A who are due to enrol for non-denominational primary education in August 201 1 enrol at Chryston Primary School. /--- Members wishing further information please contact: Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources on 01236 812269 Christine Pollock, Executive Director of Learning & Leisure Services on 01236 812336 59 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL : LEARNING & LEISURE SERVICES Review of Gartcosh Primary School and Chryston Primary School Catchment Zones Report by Head of Educational Resources 1 BACKGROUND 1 .I At its meeting on 2"d November 2010 the learning and leisure services committee approved the issue of a consultative document which proposed that the Mount Ellen area, currently zoned to both Gartcosh and Chryston Primary Schools, be rezoned exclusively to Chryston Primary School. 1.2 The original consultation paper is attached as Appendix A. 2 THE CONSULTATION 2.1 The learning and leisure service consulted the communities affected by the proposal. The proposal was advertised in the press and copies of the document were issued to interested parties, including council members, other council services, MPs, MSPs, parents, parent councils, school staff, unions and community groups. 2.2 Public meetings were held in both Chryston Primary School and Gartcosh Primary School. 2.3 The consultation period was extended until Friday 14'h January 2011 because of weather related disruption in December 2010 which had resulted in the need to re- organise public meetings. 2.4 Representatives of learning and leisure services met with Gartcosh Primary School Parent Council, Chryston Primary School Parent Council and the respective head teachers. 2.5 Written comments on the proposal were invited in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 201 0. 2.6 All the submissions are available for public reference, by appointment, in Learning and Leisure Services Headquarters, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge. 3 RESPONSES 3.1 Nine responses were received from individuals and groups. These included the following: 0 Gartcosh Primary School head teacher and staff 0 Chryston Primary School head teacher Gartcosh Primary School Parent Council 0 Chryston Primary School Parent Council 0 Roads and Transportation 0 Housing and Social Work Services 3.2 The main issues raised on the responses are summarised in section 4 and 5. 60 4 ISSUES RAISED 4.1 Gartcosh Primary School head teacher and staff The head teacher and staff suggested that the proposal will not solve the issue of capacity in the long term and that the effect of rezoning the Mount Ellen area will have minimal impact. They did not see any detriment to the educational opportunities of Mount Ellen children who would now enrol at Chryston Primary School but suggested that additional support be provided at transition time for both pupils and parents. Concern was expressed regarding the ability of the Gartcosh Primary School building to be able to cope with future growth in the school roll if more housing developments were approved in the Gartcosh catchment area. 4.2 Gartcosh Primary School Parent Council The parent council expressed their gratitude to Gartcosh Primary School staff for their efforts to maximise the limited resources of space available in order to provide an excellent educational experience for pupils in Gartcosh Primary School. They emphasised the sense of community within the school and the importance of this. The parent council was sympathetic to those families who would be affected by this proposal and noted that there may be issues regarding transport especially for Mount Ellen pupils who may make a placing request to attend Gartcosh Primary School. However, the Parent Council did accept that action was required to deal with the current over-crowding and that the realities of the economic climate had to be taken in to conside rat ion . 4.3 Chryston Primary School head teacher The head teacher was happy to accept the proposal. She stated that currently many of the Mount Ellen pupils choose to enrol at Chryston Primary School and that there is the space for additional pupils at no detriment to the educational experience offered at Chryston Primary School. 4.4 Chryston Primary School Parent Council The parent council had no objections to the proposal and would be delighted to have new pupils joining the school. 4.5 AMICUS AMICUS offered no comment as they do not have any members affected by the proposal. 4.6 Corporate Services No comment was made on the proposal from the perspective of Corporate Services. 4.7 Housing and Social Work Services This service agreed with the proposal but made comment about practical difficulties in transporting children to different schools. 61 4.8 Environmental Services : Roads and Transportation This service made no specific comment about the proposal but stated that it was helpful that learning and leisure services had considered the implications of the Gartcosh/Glenboig Community Growth Area. Detailed information was given regarding possible future growth. Walking routes may have to be re-assessed. 4.9 Individual Response One individual response was received which was countersigned by 6 additional people. This response did not pertain to the area within the consultation proposal and asked for the removal of a street from the proposed rezone. The street was not included in the proposal. The person who submitted the response was contacted and the consultation paper was explained to her. She was happy to withdraw her original response. 5 DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES 5.1 The responses to the proposed rezoning of the Mount Ellen area to Chryston Primary School were generally supportive. The reservations expressed, either by letter or at the public meetings, focussed on the following issues. 1. The need for a new Gartcosh Primary School. 2. The historical connection between the Mount Ellen area and Gartcosh Primary School. 5.2 The need for a new Gartcosh Primary School The service acknowledges the need for a new Gartcosh Primary School including funding for a site and a rebuild. The current building and site will not be able to cope with the demands of future growth in the Gartcosh area, especially with its designation as a community growth area. The current proposal is a short term solution only. 5.3 The Mount Ellen area has traditionally been an area where parents had the option of enrolling their children at either Gartcosh Primary School or Chryston Primary School. This flexibility can no longer be sustained because of accommodation difficulties in Gartcosh Primary School. In addition, the service considers that the proposal will bring educational and social benefit to the pupils enrolling in Chryston Primary School. Firstly, all non-denominational pupils living in Mount Ellen will attend one local school thus building a stronger sense of community. Secondly, pupils will have access to more spacious accommodation and a wider range of facilities. Thirdly, the larger team in Chryston Primary School allows greater flexibility in the deployment of staff and can support a wider menu of extra curricular activities. If this proposal is accepted additional support will be offered to those parents and children who had expected to enrol at Gartcosh Primary School in order to make the transition from nursery to enrolment at Chryston Primary School as smooth as possible. 6 HMle STATEMENT 6.1 In line with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, a report was provided by HM Inspectorate on the educational aspects of the proposed amendment to the catchment zones of Gartcosh Primary School and Chryston Primary School. It is attached to this report as Appendix B. 62 6.2 In summary, the HMle statement recognises the merits of the proposed amendments to the catchment zones for Gartcosh and Chryston Primary Schools. HMle acknowledge that there should be no adverse effect on the educational experience of children in the two schools and that there should be a number of benefits including the prevention of overcrowding or further pressures on resources in Gartcosh Primary School and the potential for developing a stronger sense of community for non- denominational pupils living in Mount Ellen because they would now attend one local school. 6.3 HMle recognises that learning and leisure services has expressed its commitment to ensuring appropriate pastoral and educational support for children affected by this proposal. 6.4 HMle endorses the position of learning and leisure services that this proposal offers a short term solution to the capacity issues in Gartcosh Primary School. 6.5 Learning and Leisure Services accepts the recommendation of HMle that it should continue to consider how best to address capacity issues at Gartcosh Primary School as part of the wider educational and economic planning associate with the school estate. 7 CONCLUSION The main conclusion from this consultation is that there is support for the proposal as detailed in the consultation documents. Therefore it is proposed that the revision be implemented. 8 RECOMMENDATION The learning and leisure services committee is recommended to approve that: (a) at the end of school session 2010/2011 area A which is zoned to both Gartcosh and Chryston Primary Schools be zoned exclusively to Chryston Primary School and (b) all pupils from area A who are due to enrol for non-denominational primary education in August 201 1 enrol at Chryston Primary School.