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Decision details

Proposed Closure of Fletching CE Primary School

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

25.1    The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with consultation responses, including those received after the closing date, regarding the outcome of the consultation on the proposed closure of Fletching CE Primary School and the recommendation of next steps.


25.2    The Lead Member RESOLVED – to halt the consultation on the proposed closure of Fletching CE Primary School and for the school to remain open.

 

Reason

 

25.3    The consultation responses overwhelmingly object to the proposed closure; there is a clear strength of feeling that the impact on current pupils and the local community would be significant. Substantial fundraising has been undertaken by the community which largely addresses the school’s predicated budget deficit in 2019/20 and 2020/21. Pupil numbers at the school have largely been maintained despite the consultation and governors believe that pupil numbers will begin to increase in the coming years as a result of house building in the area, notably in Uckfield.

 

25.4    The local authority however, remains of the view that the school continues to be vulnerable and its budget deficit has only been addressed on a short-term basis through one-off funding and therefore concern remains about the lack of any ongoing committed funding to support the school beyond next financial year. The current forecasts for the school do not suggest it will attract many more pupils from out of area than it has in the past and in-area demand for places remains low. Despite these factors, and taking into consideration the improved short term budget position, the Lead Member is recommended to halt the consultation on the closure and the school remain open.

                                               

Publication date: 23/12/2019

Date of decision: 23/12/2019

Decided at meeting: 23/12/2019 - Lead Member for Education and Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disability

Effective from: 04/01/2020

Accompanying Documents: