BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

EDUCATION, YOUTH, CULTURE & LEISURE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL

Monday 16th October 2006

40 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

41 EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.

42 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Rachel Hale declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest regarding item 7 `A Review of Secondary Education in the Radstock & Midsomer Norton Area' as she is a pupil in attendance at Writhlington School.

43 ANNOUNCE ANY URGENT BUSINESS AGREED BY THE CHAIR

There was none.

44 ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE DEPUTATIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING

There were none.

45 A REVIEW OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE RADSTOCK & MIDSOMER NORTON AREA - FINAL REPORT

The Chairman introduced the report to the Panel and asked if either they or the representatives from the schools had any further comments to add.

As the Panel worked through the principles of the report a discussion took place regarding housing and school capacity.

The Panel RESOLVED to approve the principles of the report as stated below:

1. The panel considered whether continuing to maintain three schools within this area was sustainable due to the decline of pupil numbers both nationally and in Bath & North East Somerset. This decline is likely to be offset to some extent by future housing development in the area although the level of this effect cannot be accurately predicted at this stage. Current predicted pupil numbers to 2012 indicate that continuation of all three schools will be viable; however the situation should be monitored closely. The Panel considers that a review of student numbers attending all three schools should be undertaken in 2-3 years.

2. At post 16 results in Bath & North East Somerset are in line with national averages. The fact that these results do not match the performance at GCSE (which are above national averages) may indicate a weakness in post 16 provision across Bath & North East Somerset. However, the Panel felt that all three schools in this area (together with Norton Radstock College) demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration which will help to ensure that provision for the 14-19 curriculum will meet the requirements of their pupils now and in the future.

Consideration had been given to the possibility of reducing from three schools offering 11-18 provision in the area, to two schools with 11-18 provision and one school with 11-16 provision. However the current collaboration that exists between all three schools and the Norton Radstock College has lead the Panel to believe that no overall benefit would be derived from this action at the present time.

3. The Panel notes that the Council Executive considered a report on the 11th October 2006 which recommended that Writhlington School be renewed under the One School Pathfinder initiative, part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. The Panel recognised the integrity of the process that has led to this recommendation. However the Panel also understands that the renewal of one school in an area may be perceived as potentially having a negative effect on other schools in that same area. In the absence of the full BSF funding across the whole Authority this was an inevitable outcome, regardless of which school was chosen. The Panel is advised that the school will not be built with the capacity to take more than its current level and consider this acceptable.

The meeting ended at 6.20pm

Chair(person)

Date Confirmed and Signed