Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families.

To seek agreement to commence a statutory consultation on the options for the future of Tiverton Primary School.

Cllr Hakata left the room (7.00pm)

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Schools introduced the report which set out options for the future of Tiverton Primary School and sought agreement from the Cabinet to commence consultation on these options. The reasons for this decision were set out as follows:

-       Continued fall in demand for school places in PA3, Tiverton was currently operating as a 1fe primary school. Prior to 2020, the school had a published admission number (PAN) of 60. This was reduced to 30 from September 2020 to align with demand.

-       The school now had 176 children on roll as of September 2024, a reduction by 50%. This is owing to in-year movement and a larger cohort of Year 6 pupils that have transitioned to secondary school and a smaller cohort of only 25 pupils that starting in Reception.

-       Falling school rolls results in reduced funding and means that extremely difficult for a school to remain financially viable when pupil numbers are falling as most school funding is pupil-based in line with the School’s National Funding Formula. Unused or vacant school places created an immediate cost pressure for a school through a reduced budget, which in turn can affect the overall sustainability and quality of education standards.

-       Concerns stemming from the internal audit report issued to Tiverton Primary School in June 2024, which provided an overall assurance rating of ‘Limited Assurance’. There were serious weaknesses identified in key financial processes which places the school at risk of longer-term financial viability. The school is under a licensed deficit scheme and is receiving support from the local authority to help it achieve a balanced financial position, however, it still remains at risk of unviability due to falling rolls.

The Cabinet Member advised Cabinet the views of governors from Tiverton Primary as well as other local schools would be sought. The school’s team would be gathering feedback on the proposals from parents and staff and other stakeholders that may be impacted by any of options that may be progressed.

In proposing the options set out in the attached report, careful consideration and weight had been given to:

a)         the financial viability of Tiverton Primary School if it were to remain open;

b)         the opportunity for another primary school to federate with Tiverton Primary School and whether this could lead to a sustainable solution;

c)         whether any other school in the local area might be willing to amalgamate with Tiverton Primary and has the physical capacity to accommodate all the displaced pupils onto its site;

d)         whether Seven Sisters as the nearest community school with the same type and characteristic as Tiverton Primary School was the best possible option for an amalgamation

e)         whether or not there would be sufficient primary school places in the local area that could provide a suitable alternative for displaced pupils

Whilst options for the future of the school were being considered, the Cabinet Member emphasised that the Council remained firmly committed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36