Discussion:
The Director of Children and Adults Services introduced the report, which detailed the outcome of the consultation. The School Organisation Officer added that since the report had been published five further responses had been received and of these, four were in support of the proposals and one against. However, the one opposed to the proposal was because they did not want the education provision to the hospital to cease, which officers confirmed was not proposed.
Members then expressed their support for the proposal, identifying the benefits of being able to extend the provision at Rivermead to some pupils currently being educated outside of Medway.
Decision:
The committee recommended the Cabinet to approve the proposal to change the designation of Rivermead School from a maintained special school with a designation as a hospital school to a community special school by means of a prescribed alteration.