Agenda and draft minutes

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To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

Deputations

Received the following deputation from Reverend Gaz Daly on behalf of Governors and Parents of St James Church of England Primary School, N10:

Governors strongly supported an expansion and wanted to continue to work with Haringey to find a viable option which had the support of parents and the local community.

Governors felt that the school community would support an expansion to 2 form entry (2FE) in a proposal in which there was no loss of school land.

The Survey carried out by the parent group Parent Consultation Committee (PCC) was included in the PCC formal representation to the consultation and showed that 75% of parents would support an expansion to 2FE.  The school community was in favour of an expansion to 2FE.

Governors felt that the report prepared by Officers in School Place Planning could be misinterpreted by suggesting that there was opposition to the principle of an expansion when, in fact ,there was opposition to expanding the School to 3FE under the proposal presented to the School and local community.  The Governors met with the parent group and all had agreed that the hope was that the School would be given the opportunity to re-consult on a 2FE proposal which would meet the demands of both the community and the much needed school places for local children which was evident by the School’s bulge class being oversubscribed.  Without a permanent expansion to 2FE, the siblings of some of the new pupils who joined Reception in September could miss out on joining their siblings in the School if the School was not to expand from September 2016.

Governors were aware of the petitions by some parents but asked that the Cabinet Member note that they were in response to the fear that the School would lose much needed play space and yet triple the number of children on a smaller site.  Governors appreciated the importance of adequate play space in primary education and the part it played in children’s physical, mental and social development.  Governors understood that parents did not want the area of space per pupil to be comprised in an expansion.  Governors also noted the concerns of the local community and schools. The Governing Body wanted to give more local children the opportunity to be educated in St James School where they would be supported by great teaching staff and good facilities and resources that would allow them to reach their full potential. This had always been the objective of the Governors.

It was hoped that the School was given the opportunity to re-consult on a  viable option

which would gain the support of all stakeholders and provide the much needed school

places in this part of the Borough.

The Cabinet Member, Cllr. Waters,  thanked Rev. Daly for the deputation and emphasised the Council’s duty to ensure there were enough local spaces in schools for children.  Cllr. Waters expressed that it was clear from the responses to the consultation that a wider debate on the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

(Report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services)To report on the outcome of stakeholder consultation held between September and November 2014 and consider  recommendations on whether or not to publish statutory notice for  Bounds Green Infant and Junior School N11, St James C of E Primary N10 and St Mary’s CE Primary N8.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Children and Families:

1.         Noted the views, opinions, and evidence received in response to consultation carried out between 15 September and 7 November on the possible expansion(s) of:

·         Bounds Green Infant and Junior School N11

·         St James C of E Primary School N10

·         St Mary’s CE Primary School N8

2.         Noted the:

·         analysis of the views, opinions and evidence of the feedback received;

·         analysis of other factors including the demand for and supply of reception places across Haringey and in particularly in and around the wards within which the above three schools are sited;

·         projections for school rolls in our primary schools for up to ten years ahead based on actual and projected birth rates;

3.       In considering 1 & 2, agreed to the publication of a statutory proposal (Stage 1 of the statutory steps outlined in the Department for Education’s Guidance^[1] ) in January 2015 immediately followed by a (fixed) four week period of representation (Stage 2) in respect of the following two schools:

·         Bounds Green Infant and Junior School, and

·         St Mary’s CE Primary School;

4.       Noted that a Cabinet report will be prepared for March 2015 making recommendation(s) on whether or not these two schools should be expanded;

5.       Agreed that, having regard to representation received as a result of consultation, that a statutory notice for the expansion of St James C of E Primary School should not be published at the present time;

6.       Noted that a wider school place consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders in Planning Area1, with a particularly focus on the Muswell Hill area and a report produced where appropriate.

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under item 1 above.

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