The Cabinet agreed to consider two deputations
in relation to Item 4, the expansion of Belmont Infant and Junior
school’s from two to three form entry. The first deputation
was from Julie Mukherjee representing
parents, governors and staff from Belmont Junior School and the
second would be from Tom Anderson representing the parents,
governors and staff at Belmont Infant School.
The Chair invited Julie Mukherjee to address the Cabinet and put
forward representations in
relation to the proposed expansion of the Junior school.
Ms Mukherjee addressed the committee in her capacity
as a parent of children at both Belmont Infant and Junior schools
but was speaking on behalf of other parents, governors and teaching
staff to oppose the proposal to expand the Junior
school. The arguments put forward
against the expansion were:
- That there was not enough space in
the school to support the expansion – reference was made to
the small playground and the already limited space in the school
dinning area.
- The
funding envelope for the expansion of both schools was considered
to be less than spent on other schools in the past and not enough
to complete a suitable expansion.
- The attendance of children from the
Vale Special School had not been
adequately considered in the plans for expansion as any changes to
the buildings would need to accommodate the mobility and safety of
children and they could not envisage
how this would be achieved in an already limited space.
- The council calculation of future
places needed at the school was disputed as there was already a
shortfall of places at the Junior school in years 4 and 5.
Therefore it was contended that a future shortfall of places would
lead to a future shortfall in funding. This would have a
detrimental impact on the schools income and lead to staffing
reductions. The deputation was keen to protect the established good
teacher leadership in the school.
- It was felt that the petitions
consisting of a combination of 700 signatures opposing the
expansion had not been given appropriate consideration.
The parents were keen to protect the ethos of
“good local schools for all” and asked that Cabinet
vote against the proposals for expansion of both Belmont Junior and
Infant schools.
As part of the deputation procedure, Cabinet
Members put forward questions to the deputation party and gained
the following understanding of their position.
·
The increased funding envelope of £3.5m was still felt not to
adequately cover the expansion of two schools.
- They did not agree with the figures
arrived at in the school place planning strategy.
- The higher overheads associated with
a bigger school would lead to a reduced income if places were not
filled at the school.
- They
questioned the council’s application to the argument that
more school places were needed in Tottenham and gave an example of
where they perceived this need not to be applied. The Leader questioned the accuracy of this
assertion and clarified that there had not been a 4000 home
development project ...
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