NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT To: Learning and Leisure Subject: Schools and Centres 21 : Services Committee Review of Coltness Primary School and Lammermoor From: Head of Education Resources Primary School Purpose of Report This report details the proposals for changes in non-denominational educational provision affecting Coltness Primary School, Wishaw and Lammermoor Primary School, Wishaw. A consultation paper is attached. Recommendations It is recommended that the learning and leisure services committee adopt the following proposals: 1. that in August 2009 or such later date as is determined by the Schools and Centres 21 programme Lammermoor Primary School and Coltness Primary Schoob be amalgamated into one school 2. that the amalgamated school be located in either: a) the refurbished Coltness Primary School building OR b) the refurbished Lammermoor Primary School building 3. that the pupils who under the present arrangements attend or would have enrolled in Lammermoor Primary School or Coltness Primary School should transfer to or enrol in the new amalgamated school 4. that the consultative document attached to this report be issued and made available to all interested parties 5. that all interested parties be invited to make written representation to Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources, Learning and Leisure Services, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge ML5 3BT ([email protected]) no later than Friday 20th June 2008. 6. that the head of educational resources be asked to prepare a report on the responses to the consultation to the next meeting of the learning and leisure services com mittee. Members wishing further information please contact: Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources on 01236 812307 or Christine Pollock, Executive Director of Learning and Leisure Services on 01698 302534 7 NORTH LANRKSHIRE COUNCIL - LEARNING AND LEISURE SERVICES SCHOOLS AND CENTRES 21: CONSULTATION ON COLTNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL AND LAMMERMOOR PRIMARY SCHOOL Report by Head of Educational Resources 1. BACKGROUND 1 .I The upgrading of the school estate, including the provision of better facilities, a rationalisation of school places to reflect pupils rolls and the development of community use is a major priority for the council. 1.2 In October 2007 the learning and leisure services committee approved the priorities for phase 2 of the Schools and Centres 21 (SC21) programme. It included the review of provision at Coltness Primary School, Wishaw and Lammermoor Primary School, Wishaw. 1.3 This report and the attached consultative document describe the proposals. 2. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS 2.1 Detailed information about the options associated with the proposals is contained in the consultative document attached to the report. 2.2 In summary, the consultation paper proposes the amalgamation of the existing Coltness Primary School and Lammermoor Primary School into one school either in the refurbished Coltness or refurbished Lammermoor building. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the learning and leisure services committee adopt the following proposals: 1. that in August 2009 or such later date as is determined by the Schools and Centres 21 programme Lammermoor Primary School and Coltness Primary School be amalgamated into one school 2. that the amalgamated school be located in either: a) the refurbished Coltness Primary School building OR b) the refurbished Lammermoor Primary School building 3. that the pupils who under the present arrangements attend or would have enrolled in Lammermoor Primary School or Coltness Primary School should transfer to or enrol in the new amalgamated school 4. that the consultative document attached to this report be issued and made available to all interested parties 5. that all interested parties be invited to make written representation to Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources, Learning and Leisure Services, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge ML5 3BT ([email protected]) no later than Friday 20thJune 2008. 8 6. that the head of educational resources be asked to prepare a report on the responses to the consultation to the next meeting of the learning and leisure services committee. 9 THIS IS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL LEARNING AND LEISURE SERVICES SCHOOLS AND CENTRES 21 REVIEW OF EDUCATION PROVISION AT COLTNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL AND LAMMERMOOR PRIMARY SCHOOL This document has been issued by the Learning and Leisure Services Committee of North Lanarkshire Council for consultation in terms of the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981. 10 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL : LEARNING 8, LEISURE SERVICES Schools and Centres 21 Proposals: Review of Education Provision at Coltness Primary School and Lammermoor Primary School, Wishaw 1 BACKGROUND 1.I Schools and Centres 21 (SC21), the rebuilding and upgrading of schools, is a very high priority for North Lanarkshire Council. There are three aspects to the strategic vision which underpins the programme: 1. An education vision: School refurbishment or replacement improves the conditions for learning and teaching. It offers enhanced access to a wider and richer curriculum and greater opportunity for young people to develop to their full potential. Social inclusion will be encouraged by co-locating additional support needs schools on the campus of selected schools. The provision of early years facilities in primary schools will create education and care continuity and progression for the children in their local area. Community facilities within schools will be enhanced. Refurbished or new- build campuses will have integrated community facilities designed to cater for the specific needs of the locality. These facilities will be available for community and school use both during and outwith school hours. The facilities will offer learning, sporting and leisure opportunities. 2. A corporate vision: the development of schools as community hubs will support the wellbeing of communities by meeting social, economic and environmental needs in an integrated way. With inter-service collaboration the education campus will deliver a wide range of council services. The overall package will ensure that a high quality education service is available to the whole community. There is a strong emphasis on the social and economic regeneration of the whole council area particularly deprived communities. 3. A best value vision: Schools and Centres 21 has a strong commitment to best value principles. It will ensure not only a high quality education provision but also the efficient use of resources in the short and long term. The rationalisation of existing buildings will release resources for investment in the remaining schools. 1.2 The council estimates that up to f250m will be spent on improving schools over the next few years. The immediate priorities in the programme include a review of education provision in a number of primary schools, including Coltness and Lammermoor. 1.3 This document describes why changes in provision are required in this part of Wishaw and proposes two options for consideration. All interested parties are invited to submit their views on these options. These will be considered by the learning and leisure committee in the autumn and no decision will be taken on the future of Coltness and Lammermoor until that stage. 11 2 REASONS FOR THE REVIEW The Schools and Centres 21 programme aims to improve school buildings so that the curricular and community needs of the 21'' century are fully provided for. Additionally there is a need to reduce the number of empty places in order to release resources to spend on schools in the local area. 2.1 School rolls and caDacities Projected school rolls are based on data from a variety of sources including census information, existing rolls, primary one intakes, and residential planning applications. 2.2 The school rolls outlined in Table 1 indicate a reduction in Coltness Primary School and a slight increase in Lammermoor Primary School for the foreseeable future. The current combined capacity of the two schools is 590. The projected rolls indicate that there will be a large number of empty places, necessitating a review of provision. Table 1: rolls and capacities Rolls School Capacity 2007 201 0 2014 2018 Coltness PS 402 165 140 120 119 Lammermoor PS 188 196 201 21 5 209 Total 590 (665) 36 1 34 1 335 328 Empty places % 39% 42% 43% 45% At Lammermoor some of the empty classrooms have been redeployed to Community Learning and Development offices. Without this, the underuse of the buildings would be even greater. 2.3 Condition of the buildings Coltness Primary School is located on a large open site of 2.25 hectares. The building requires substantial investment, including fabric upgrading, replacement windows, rewiring and a new heating system. Lammermoor Primary School is located on a part open site of 2.7 hectares. Recent improvements include new windows, fabric upgrading. It suffers from a shortage of parking. 2.4 Suitability of the Buildings Table 3 Rating Description Coltness Primary School C Poor Lammermoor Primary School C poor Coltness Primary School occupies a four storey building which presents various difficulties in meeting the needs of the modern curriculum and disability compliance. 12 Due to the small roll it has a large number of empty places. The classrooms enjoy natural light but the external facilities require improvement. Lammermoor Primary School is a single storey building with traditional classrooms. The classrooms are well sized and have good natural light. Due to the construction of the building there is little scope for flexibility in the use of the accommodation. 3. OPTIONS FOR CONSULTATION 3.1 This review recommends that two options should be considered to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of primary provision in the area. Option 1 To close Lammermoor Primary School and pupils transfer to a refurbished Coltness Primary School from session 2009/10 or at a later date on completion of the construction work. Option 2 To close Coltness Primary School and pupils transfer to a refurbished and extended Lammermoor Primary School from session 2009/10 or at a later date on completion of the construction.