Minutes of the Fareham and Gosport Patch Forum Meeting held on
Thursday 15th May 2003 at the Lysses House Hotel, Fareham.
Present: 23 Governors See list attached
Apologies: 6 Governors See list attached
In attendance:
Cllr Don Allen - HCC Executive Member for Education
Cllr Dr Ray Ellis - HCC
Sue Baxter - Governor Services Co-ordinator
Chris Holt - Education Officer
Don Mitchell - Clerk
1. Presentation.
John Brailsford, Chairman, welcomed all attending and, in particular Councillors Allen and Ellis, then introduced Chris Holt, Education Officer to present "School Reorganisation, Policy and Practice".
Chris Holt, who has responsibility for the strategic planning of primary schools in the county, sought to highlight the declining primary school rolls and the challenges that result. By way of introduction he referred to a background paper presented to the Education Policy Review Committee in October 2002 that was subsequently endorsed by the HCC Cabinet and also to the School Organisation Plan that is available on the website. The plan gives the policy context for the management of surplus places in primary schools to match supply and demand, and to determine the preferred size and location of schools.
Numbers. Charts were displayed showing the decline in 4 year old pupil numbers in Hampshire from a peak of 15,000 in 1996 to 14,000 in 2002 and predicted down to 13,500 by 2008. The 9.3% decline between 1995 and 2008, 1390 pupils, equates to 46 forms of entry or 23 2-form entry schools, and creates a considerable long term problem.
Surplus places. The Audit Commission definition of surplus places allows that of those unfilled some are needed - for near future expansion and parental choice capacity, others are not needed, and of those that are not needed some are removable but others are not. Examples were given, e.g. urban versus rural schools. The significance of surplus places, within a fixed base cost, is the resources and alternative opportunities wasted thereby. A surplus of five to ten percent is recognised as necessary; however the management of surpluses is used as a Best Value indicator by the Audit Commission. Primary school surplus place tables were displayed (available in the report on the website) showing a figure of 8.3% overall surplus in primary schools rising to 10.6% in 2007; however some schools have very significantly more surplus.
Redesignation of (classroom) spaces. A recent study has indicated the benefits to schools with large place surpluses of redesignating spaces to other purposes, e.g. specialist teaching - music, drama - or ICT facilities. In subsequent questions, clarification was given that funding for building maintenance, given on a floor area basis would be maintained in the event of redesignation of space and that per capita funding would remain unchanged i.e. surplus places would still not be funded.
Area Reviews. The purpose of an area review of surplus places is to maximise the benefit of school mergers / closures in the context of raising standards; it is not simply a money saving exercise. Even popular schools can be incorporated in such reviews but those where an Ofsted report calls for special measures are particularly considered. The review process identifies discrete areas with surplus places; considers forecasts of needs and actual and potential use of space; consults with chairmen of governors and heads; and involves the local county and district councillors. A funding strategy is addressed and building feasibility studies initiated where merger might be beneficial. The Education Member's authority is gained prior to consultation on specific proposals, then detailed consultation is conducted with the community leading to a report to the Education Policy Review Committee. This is an open public meeting when deputation may be heard. The Council then issues public statutory notices and there is public right to object. An independent School Organisation Committee is established to review objections and, in the case of no unanimity in committee an adjudicator is appointed. Clearly this all takes much time and, in subsequent questions, Cllr Allen reinforced the need for schools not to be deterred from making improvements in the near term because there could be a threat of merger or closure in the long term.
Planning Officers will continue to work with individual schools to measure and forecast capacities and advise on space changes. Since 1999 reviews have been conducted in several areas (eg Leigh Park) and 1095 surplus places have been removed.
Capital Funding The capital funding implications of amalgamation of schools can be high as the aim is to provide facilities as in a single new school and there is no surplus place removal funding from DfES. Costs may be met by land sales, though planning consent for re-development is a pre-condition. Some funds can be sourced from school capital allocations and others from the "new deal for schools".
Next steps. Areas for review, without any sense of priority, are detailed (with maps) in the School Organisation Plan. Included are Aldershot, Andover, Fareham Central/East, Fareham West/North. Farnborough etc. There is no forecast of timetable and, of course, not all schools in these areas have surplus places. The potential complexity is considerable and the long term (i.e.3 years +). Cllr Allen reiterated the fact that declining primary school rolls are with us and must be considered; however raising the standards for children today remains the aim. At the same time, he is committed to keeping rural schools to limit the pupil's travel time and underpin the rural communities. In urban areas amalgamation can be beneficial. Redundancies amongst staff may be needed and we must try to cushion the effect. Chris made the point that despite indications of new housing developments locally schools may have to make redundancies and then re-employ in the future when the need actually arises. He reassured a questioner that close links are maintained with navy, and army, quarters officers as well as local councillors though it was recognised that the armed forces sometimes announce decisions at short notice, as indeed can happen in the commercial scene (e.g. factory closures).
Secondary Sector. In response to a question, Cllr Allen stated that the 14 - 19 sector is not yet worrying, and reminded us that there are changes afoot in the curriculum and vocational processes. In some areas (e.g. rural) there are particular problems of negative growth and yet larger schools may be needed to meet the new challenges. It is a matter of balance and decision by Council Members; however ideally parents will prefer local schools.
Class numbers. A question raised the issue of proof that classes of say 27 are better than those with 32 pupils. None was given but, while the concept of smaller classes is supported, funding generation is the key. Ccllr Allen pointed out that the Council's budget is limited and additional support is given on the basis of need but we must beware of resourcing small schools at the expense of others.
Financial Year. The alignment of the financial year to the school year was commended but this is beyond the control of the LEA.
Whiteley. A questioner accused the LEA of mismanagement of the schools in Whiteley with pupils being bussed out when the need was for new schools in the area. Chris responded that he had been involved in numerous appeals and parental preferences had been recognised; however the various developer's plans had changed defeating the LEA's projections.
That concluded the presentation, and thanks were given to Chris and the Councillors. Chris cleared away and departed the meeting. The Councillors opted to stay for the subsequent meeting.
2. Main Meeting
Minutes of the last meeting (20th February 2003). With the following amendments to the list of attendees/apologies the minutes were accepted. Correct to read Dianna (vice Dianne) Hopkins, Brune (vice Broad) Park and Pengelly vice Pewngelly.
HGRG and County Governors' Forum. Feedback from The Chairman reported that Governor Services (GS) are putting more information on the website in order to save cost and paper. An example is the minutes of HGRG which, it is thought, may not always be read by the addressees. In the event of difficulty gaining access to, or information from, the website governers are urged to call, or e-mail, GS for help. While a printed copy of the information can be called for, attendees were asked for their opinions on provision by personal e-mail; the majority indicated that this would be welcome. One attendee suggested that this provision might be better achieved on a "reflector site".
Sue Baxter then asked if there were other surplus papers being delivered, eg 3 copies of the governor's training directory for distribution. It was agreed that two would be sufficient.
GS Website. In response to a question concerning the website, Sue welcomed criticism though none was forthcoming at the meeting. Responding to a question why some papers are sent to both the school and the chairman of governors' home, Sue stated that it depended upon the urgency of the matter.
Improving HGRG/CGF and Patch Forum relationships. The Chairman allowed that relatively few schools send a representative to the Patch Forum, that there is a struggle to fill the HGRG representative positions, and that the proposed Schools Forum may dilute it further. He sought ideas for improvement. One attendee proposed Aunt Sally items be placed on the Agenda, and that was generally endorsed. The Guest Speaker concept was supported. A Primary/Secondary split was discussed but most thought it might make matters worse. An audit of attendees was suggested.
INTECH Sue reported that the Clarendon Forum is arranging a visit to INTECH centre for schools at Winchester on 22nd September and invitations to Fareham Patch members are forthcoming. Ccllr Allen commended the large scale quality models on display at Intech. See also INTECH
Sue then reported that Ccllr Felicity Hindson, Executive Member Social Services, had asked to be added to the distribution of Agenda papers, members agreed.
Skills Audit. To a question concerning the value of the school governors skills' audit, Chris responded that some schools struggle to conduct the audit and then never refer to it. TLG training includes preparation for this audit. Auditors should allow it to be biography based and involve interests as well as skills.
EdIT A member declared dissatisfaction with EdIT whereby schools had to pay £1800 for the installation of a piece of IT which could be obtained locally for less that £600. Others agreed that the service from EdIT has deteriorated recently and that something needed to be done. The Chairman agreed to raise this at the next HGRG meeting, asking for any recent Best Value report or Service Review Group report.
Funding A member claimed to have heard Charles Clarke, Education Secretary, on the radio allowing school building maintenance funds could be used for salaries. Ccllr Allen responded that the government had made too many changes at once without understanding the interaction, despite LEA warnings. It had then tried to blame LEAs but clearly didn't understand its own system. HCC had made a robust response. Now there is an apparent admission of confusion and devolved capital funds may be used, this year, for salaries. The expectation is for more funds next year.
Date of Next Meeting Thursday 25th September 2003. The Chairman thanked members for their support, announced that he would be retiring from the Chair, and wished them every success.
A list of members is attached.
Attendance list for the Fareham & Gosport Patch Forum Meeting held on
Thursday 15th May 2003 at the Lysses House Hotel, Fareham.
Present:
John Brailsford Sarisbury Junior (Chair)
Chris Boniface Newtown Primary, Gosport
Susan Bown St John the Baptist Primary
Steve Bullock Castle Primary
Linda Byrne Swanmore College of Technology
Colin Channon St John's, Gosport
Daphne Cooper Crofton Anne Dale Junior
Jacqueline Ewen Crofton Anne Dale Junior
Paul Fenton Bridgemary Community
Carole Gratton Elson Junior
Rosemary Gudgeon Neville Lovett / Uplands Primary
Dianna Hopkins Peel Common Junior & Haven Early Years
Jan Hughes Ranvilles Infants
Stephen Lang Orchard Lea Infant
Roy Lee Harrison Primary
Sue Macdonald Holbrook Primary
Karen Moore Wicor Primary
Nick Smart Ranvilles Junior
Mike Pengelly Grange Infant
Gill Pickburn Sarisbury Infant
Joy Preston Wallisdean Junior
Elaine Remnant-Ashton St Francis
Maureen Sygrove Henry Cort
Apologies:
Roger Hobbs Park Gate
Debbie Lander Sarisbury Junior
Ian Orr Lee-on-the-Solent Infant
Paul Squire Cams Hill
Mr. Townsend Rowner Junior
Lilian Wren Portchester Community