Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair announced the recent death of a Member of Committee, Mrs Sheila Berkery-Smith, OBE and representative of the WDES.  She was a well known Member who had given her life to public service in Haringey and particularly education over a number of years.  The SOC stood for one minute silence in memory.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Dr N Oparaeche, and apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Harris.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 7 below).

There were no items of urgent business. 

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgement of the public interest.

None received.

To confirm and sign the minues of the meeting of the School Organisation Committee held on 24 October 2005 (Attached)

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2005 were approved.

The clerk advised members of the nominated name of the marketing company (Creative Change) appointed to work on the branding for the new Sixth Form Centre.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders

The meeting agreed to receive a presentation from Cllr Ron Aitken and deputations on the Proposed Expansion of Coleridge Primary School from the following:

1. Mr David Barry (Chair of Governors) Ashmount Primary School – objector.
2. Ms Arabella Weir (PTA) Ashmount Primary School – objector.
3. Ms Jill Russell (Chair of Governors) & Ms Shirley Boffey (Headteacher) Coleridge School – supporter.
4. Ms Sarah Cook, Future of Coleridge Group, Coleridge School – objector.
5. Ms Sue Hessel, Haslemere Road Residents Association – objector.
6. Mr Nariman Ghandi (Chair of Governors) Highgate Primary School – objector.
7. Dr Kirit Modi, Assistant Director, Islington Council – Objector.
8. Ms Helen Riley, Pro Group, Coleridge School - supporter.
9. Mr A M Dickson (Chair of Governors) St Peter in Chains RC Infant School – objector.

Questions were asked of each deputation.   

The Chair thanked each deputation for their attendance.

Report of the Assistant Director, Children’s Service: To decide on the proposal to enlarge the school (To Follow).

Ian Bailey, Assistant Director of Children’s Services, presented the report on the proposal to enlarge Coleridge Primary School.  We noted the consultation was carried out in accordance with the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the guidance “Proposers Guidance for Local Authorities and Governing Bodies: Statutory Proposals for Changes to Mainstream Schools” published by the DfES.  A joint Coleridge School/ Children’s Service working party was formed to develop the proposals.

There is a historical shortage of primary places in the area and the proposals have the full support of the school and the governing body.  The proposal is to expand Coleridge Primary School from its present two forms of entry to four forms.  The additional capacity would be located on the site of the former TUC centre, immediately opposite the existing Coleridge site.  The current proposal is for the school to operate with foundation and key stage 1 on the TUC site and with key stage 2 on the existing Coleridge site.

The 2006 entry additional reception cohort would be accommodated on the existing Coleridge school site and building works to the TUC site would be completed in time for the September 2007 intake.

Members noted the points in support of the proposal:

• Allowing school children places close to their homes.
• A larger Coleridge would allow children from a wider and diverse area to be educated at a very successful school.
• Praise for the leadership of Coleridge school.
• Support for increased parental choice.

The main objections and concerns raised:

• Evidence of demand for places.
• Impact on other local schools.
• The size of the proposed expanded school.
• Impact of increased traffic in area between the school sites.
• Safe crossing of the road between the two sites.
• Issues concerning the consultation process.

The representations received concerning traffic would be addressed once planning permission was sought.

RESOLVED:

1.      That following each member group having cast their vote the SOC did not agree a unanimous decision.

2.      That the proposal be considered by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.  This process is expected to take at least six weeks.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above.

None received.

Provisional: 27 February 2006 at 6pm

Provisional: Monday 27 February 2006 at 6:00pm.

THE MEETING WAS DECLARED CLOSED AT 10:40PM