Agenda item

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

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

The Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families introduced the report which sought agreement to consult on various options for the future of Stamford Hill Primary school.

The Cabinet noted that the school had been subject to a number of pressures, such as a significant fall in demand for places coupled with an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating, affecting the long term viability of the school.

Following the Ofsted rating, academisation process had been started by the school. However, it was felt that forced academisation was not the right approach and the preferred option advocated was for a local solution that took account of the wider needs of the schools’ community. The option proposed to Cabinet in the attached report  was to consult on an amalgamation of Stamford Hill Primary with nearby Tiverton Primary School.

RESOLVED

1. To agree to commence consultation on the future of Stamford Hill Primary School and the preferred option of amalgamation with Tiverton Primary School. This preferred option would involve the closure of Stamford Hill Primary School, with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School;

2. To note that in parallel with, and independently of this process, the RSC will work to identify a sponsor that will support the school to convert to an academy.

Alternative options considered

The following options were considered:

• Continuation of current strategy for school improvement without any further action to address falling local rolls
• Federation
• Amalgamation resulting in the closure of Stamford Hill with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School (one site)
• Amalgamation resulting in the closure of Stamford Hill with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School (split site)
• Conversion to Academy.

Continuation of current strategy for school improvement – The Council is confident that leadership of the school is currently addressing standards issues with the support provided through the Haringey Education Partnership (HEP) and with the emerging establishment of an Interim Executive Board (IEB). However, this option is not recommended as it does not provide a long-term sustainable solution to falling local demand, and further, leaves other local schools vulnerable because of the current and projected surplus of places across Planning Area 3.

Federation – In considering federation, there must be clear benefits that such an arrangement would bring for children including, but not limited to, raising standards, improving the breadth and depth of education delivery and increasing opportunities for outstanding outcomes. The governing body of a federation can use budget, resources and staff across the federation to improve the educational outcomes for all pupils. Federation would require full commitment from the schools involved and a shared vision for the development of the federation. To date there has been no appetite expressed by any school to federate with Stamford Hill Primary. The Council has a role in supporting schools to explore federation, however, federation is ultimately a decision made by the governing bodies of schools. This option is not recommended because under a federation, schools would remain as separate organisations and this would not address the decline in numbers on roll at Stamford Hill or the risk of financial unviability.

Amalgamation resulting in the closure of Stamford Hill with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School (one site) –The closure of Stamford Hill Primary School, with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School located on the other side of Seven Sisters Road, remains a viable option. The short distance between the schools can ensure an effective transition of pupils with minimal disruption. Furthermore, Tiverton Primary has capacity to accommodate all the displaced pupils on its own site and can access funds from the Local Authority to assist with the setting up of new classroom(s), if required. This option is put forward because of concerns about the long-term sustainability of Stamford Hill Primary School on the grounds of declining popularity and financial viability.

Amalgamation resulting in the closure of Stamford Hill with the displaced pupils being accommodated by Tiverton Primary School (split site) - Tiverton Primary School having two sites, its existing site and the existing site of Stamford Hill Primary School, has been considered but would create difficult challenges for Tiverton Primary School and families to manage due to the overheads of running two sites and because of the current condition of the building at Stamford Hill. A full building and grounds condition survey was carried out during February 2018. The survey report identified significant building condition issues that require addressing to ensure the school continues to meet requirements to keep staff and pupils warm, safe and dry. Emergency safety works have been actioned and implemented at the school. However, the dilapidated condition of the building fabric externally and internally, will require extensive remedial works to put the school back into a good state of repair. Due to the nature of the issues affecting the building fabric, it is unlikely the required remedial works could be undertaken with the school in occupation.

Conversion to Academy – In the right circumstances, the Government is supportive of schools converting to Academies. The RSC will work to identify a sponsor that will support the school to convert to an academy. This option is not recommended because the Council is confident that it can find a local solution that takes account of the wider needs of our schools’ community. Furthermore, academisation will not address the decline in numbers on roll at Stamford Hill and other local schools or the risk of financial unviability.