Decision - An Academy at Portslade Community College: Update and outcome of the formal consultation stage

(1)         That the Cabinet notes the progress since the Cabinet report of 9^th December 2010.

(2)         That the Cabinet notes the outcome of the statutory stage of consultation undertaken between 20^th December 2010 and 31^st January 2011.

(3)         That, taking into account the requirements of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, the statutory guidance contained in the document entitled ‘Closing of a Maintained Mainstream School – A Guide for Local Authorities and Governing Bodies’ and the responses to consultation, the Cabinet conditionally approve to close Portslade Community College on 31^st August 2011 to enable the immediate opening of an academy on the same site the following day. 

(This approval is conditional upon the making of an agreement under Section 482(1) of the Education Act 1996 for the establishment of an Academy. This condition must be met by 30^th June 2011.)

(4)         That Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Children’s Services to submit a feasibility study to the Department for Education (DfE) to enable the project to move into the Implementation Stage.

(5)         That Cabinet agree to the setting up of an academy on the site of Portslade Community College from September 2011.

It is recommended that the proposals to close Portslade Community College are approved subject to the condition that an agreement under Section 482 (1) of the Education Act 1996 is made for the establishment of an Academy on the same site.  This agreement must be made by 30^th June 2011.   The signing of the Funding Agreement effectively constitutes this agreement.

The proposal to close Portslade Community College is inextricably linked to the proposal to open an Academy on the same site the following day.  Consequently the Academy proposal is instrumental in the factors to be considered in determining the closure proposal.

The Academy proposal will afford significant capital investment in the school which will enable the development of the curriculum going forward.  This will contribute to raising standards at the school improving attainment for children and young people.

The setting up of an Academy on the site of Portslade Community College will contribute to a strategic approach to diversity in choice for secondary education within the city.

The Academy will offer a focal point for the community providing a range of extended services to all ages.  The Academy will encourage business and community participation in all types of events and activities.

The Academy will adhere to the Councils admissions arrangement which is based on catchment areas.  This provides a truly local school which serves its most immediate community and assists in the aspirations of the Local Authority in terms of green travel arrangements.

The proposed Academy will have an on site sixth form which Portslade Community College cannot provide at present.  This will enable students to access a coherent and exciting 14 to 19 curriculum offer.  It is believed that this will encourage more young people to take up the opportunity for further and higher education.

There has been a wide ranging consultation with the school, stakeholders and the wider community.  The results of the pre statutory notice consultation is included in the full proposal and shows that on balance there is support for the proposal.

The only alternative option is to leave Portslade Community College as a community school managed by the Local Authority.

This is not considered acceptable as in discussions with the DfE it has been agreed that the school requires significant structural change to improve the results achieved by the school.