Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability
DECISIONS made by the Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability, Councillor Bob Standley, on 10 September 2024 at Remote Meeting via Microsoft Teams
Councillor Alan Shuttleworth spoke on item 4 (see minute 20)
Councillors Steve Murphy and Alan Shuttleworth spoke on item 5 (see minute 21)
16. Decisions made by the Lead Cabinet Member on 25 July 2024
16.1 The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2024.
17. Disclosures of interests
17.1 There were none.
18. Urgent items
18.1 There were none.
19. Reports
19.1 Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.
20. Proposed amalgamation of West Rise Community Infant School and West Rise Junior School
20.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children's Services.
DECISIONS
20.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to:
1) approve publication of a statutory proposal in respect of a proposal to amalgamate West Rise Community Infant School and West Rise Junior School and lower the new school’s age range to 2 to 11; and
2) delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to amend the proposal prior to its publication if required.
REASONS
20.3 The proposal to amalgamate West Rise Community Infant School and West Rise Junior School builds on the improvements being made through the partnership working between the two schools and aligns with one of the guiding principles to school organisation in East Sussex.
20.4 The longer-term future for education in the local area can best be achieved through amalgamating the two schools into one all-through primary school, operating on the same site.
21. Burfield Academy and Phoenix Academy
21.1 The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children's Services.
DECISIONS
21.2 The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve an updated response from the local authority to Step Academy Trust’s consultation on the proposed amalgamation of Burfield Academy and Phoenix Academy, to note:
· The new pupil forecasts;
· The change in national policy on mandatory housing targets which may lead to additional pressure on school places in the Wealden District Council area; and
· That the Department for Education remains the decision-maker
REASONS
21.3 The proposed amalgamation of the two schools, and the subsequent reduction in capacity in the area, will mean that there is some increased pressure on pupil places across the area. East Sussex County Council (the local authority) also recognises that Step Academy Trust’s proposal will mean that instead of two schools with low numbers there will be one school with pupil numbers close to their Published Admission Number (PAN). This is likely to provide educational benefits to pupils due to the Trust being able to provide and sustain a greater breadth of curriculum, pupil support and extra curricula opportunities.