Decision details

The School Organisation Plan sets out Medway’s plans for the development of schools in Medway over the next five years, including priorities for capital investment. This report will seek approval to the School Organisation Plan 2011/2016 following consultation and consideration by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 October 2011.

Background:

This report outlined the outcome of consultation on the council’s draft School Organisation Plan 2011-2016. A copy of the plan was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

It was noted that in January 2008 the Cabinet had approved the School Organisation Plan Principles. These contained a set of guidelines to be used when considering school organisational issues that ensured that any changes to schools organisation are based upon improving schools and raising standards. The School Organisation Plan set out Medway’s plans for implementing the principles in Medway schools over the next five years, including priorities for capital investment based upon an analysis of need. It was reported that the plan also supported the School Improvement Strategy, which was aimed at raising performance in schools.

Following Cabinet on 5 July 2011 consultation had taken place between July and September 2011. The report gave details of the consultation process and the results were set out in section 3 of the report. It was reported that despite the wide distribution of the document only one response had been received during the consultation period.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the draft School Organisation Plan on 12 October 2011 and recommended the plan to Cabinet subject to the addition to the action plan (item 9) of the words “review of how we consult with stakeholders”.

It was noted that a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form had been completed (Appendix 4 to the report), which showed that a full Diversity Impact Assessment was not necessary. It was not expected that any adverse impacts would arise as a result of the actions set out in the plan and any future proposals would be consulted upon individually, with a Diversity Impact Assessment included as appropriate.

The report also requested approval to commence feasibility studies and statutory consultation for the physical expansion and extension of the age range of Wainscott Primary School. This was one of the action plan items contained within the plan.

Reasons:

Adoption of the School Organisation Plan enables the Council to put in place a planned and structured approach to school organisation over the next 5 years to address the risks set out in the report.

These decisions will enable a feasibility study and statutory consultation to be undertaken as to the physical expansion, and the expansion of the lower age limit of Wainscott Primary School, following discussions with the school’s governing body.