Agenda item - Statutory Notice following consultation to amalgamate Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior Schools

Report of the Executive Director, Children’s Services (copy attached).

That the Children, Young People & Skills Committee approves the proposal contained in the statutory notice to amalgamate Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior Schools to become a four form entry, all through primary school, through the closure of Davigdor Infant School and expanding the age range of Somerhill Junior School from 7 – 11 to 4 – 11 from 1 September 2015.

9.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services that informed the Committee of the responses to the statutory notice of the proposal to merge Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior Schools and requested approval to amalgamate the two schools to become a four form entry, all through primary school.

9.2         Councillor Wealls noted that under the schools funding formula the amalgamated school would receive one lump sum payment of £150,000 instead of £150,000 each as separate infant and junior schools and asked if the school would find that manageable.

9.3         The Head of Education Planning & Contracts stated that for the current 2015/16 financial year the two budgets would be merged so the school would continue to benefit from the full £300,000 combined lump sum payments.  In the following financial year 2016/17 the single school would receive 85% of the combined lump sum payments (£255,000), after which the school would receive a single lump sum payment of £150,000.  The Head of Education Planning & Contracts added that amalgamation had not presented problems for other schools that had done so as there were savings in the number of headteachers and other economies of scale.  The local authority would continue to work closely with the school during the transitional period.

9.4         Councillor Barradell asked if any provision would be put into place for parents unable to afford new uniform.

9.5         The Head of Education Planning & Contracts stated that the school were aware of this issue and its sensitivities and were looking at ways to minimise cost to parents. The Assistant Director - Education & Inclusion added that often rules on uniform were relaxed and any changes were enforced gradually by the school. The Assistant Director - Education & Inclusion added that she would make the Headteacher and Governors aware of the Committee’s comments.

9.6         RESOLVED-That the Children, Young People & Skills Committee approves the proposal contained in the statutory notice to amalgamate Davigdor Infant and Somerhill Junior Schools to become a four form entry, all through primary school, through the closure of Davigdor Infant School and expanding the age range of Somerhill Junior School from 7 – 11 to 4 – 11 from 1 September 2015.