Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined details of a proposal to change St Nicholas CE Infant School from an infant school to a primary school. This would be formally implemented through statutory prescribed alterations including a change of age range to extend the upper age range at the school from 7 to 11 and an enlargement of premises to ensure that sufficient physical capacity would be available for the school when full with a 210 pupil capacity. The impacts associated with the proposed changes were described in section 4 of the report.

The report explained that the consultation process would need to follow the prescribed route, as set out in section 6 of the report. Some stakeholders had already been consulted with, and the proposals were supported by the following: the School and its governing body; Medway’s School Improvement Team; the Director of People - Children and Adults services; Medway Council’s Head of Education; the Portfolio Holders for Children’s Services (Lead Member) and for Educational Attainment and Improvement; the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education; and The Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT). No objecting views had been expressed so far.

It was noted that an admissions consultation would also be required to amend the Published Admission Number (PAN) of St Nicholas CE Infant School. In addition, a separate consultation regarding the project to expand the premises at St Nicholas CE Infant School would be undertaken as part of the planning process.

The report noted that a Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) would be presented with the Outcomes of Consultation report which would come before the Cabinet following the informal consultation period.

Reasons:

Approving the commencement of the statutory process will ensure that the Council meets its duty to follow the appropriate consultation processes when making changes to maintained schools.