Agenda item - Proposal to Change the Age Range of Blatchington Mill School

Report of the Executive Director for Children, Families & Learning (copy attached).

52        RESOLVED: That the Committee –

1.    Noted the responses to the consultation undertaken regarding the proposal to change the age range of Blatchington Mill Secondary School from 11 to 18 to 11 to 16 from September 2019

2.    Agreed to the publication of the required Statutory Notices to progress this proposal

3.    That following the statutory notice period the matter is referred back to the meeting of the Children Young People and Skills Committee on 6 March 2018 for a final decision

52.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning, regarding the proposed change to the age range of Blatchington Mill School from 11 -18 to 11 -16 from September 2019. The report was introduced by the Head of School Organisation and the Head of Education Capital Strategy.

52.2    Councillor Brown said that Blatchington Mill was within her ward, and as she had not had any complaints from parents/carers regarding the changes she would be supporting the recommendations.

52.3    Councillor Wealls questioned whether not having the opportunity to teach sixth form pupils would impact on staff retention and/or new staff, and suggested it could be useful to invite a teacher to speak about the impact the changes may have on staff. The Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning said that there would be a further report following the consultation, and an invitation could be extended at that time.

52.4    Councillor Hamilton suggested that if staff particularly wanted to teach sixth form students, it could be possible for them to work at both Blatchington Mill and Hove Park Sixth Form. Ms A Holt agreed and said that if appropriate the Authority should facilitate teachers to work at a number of institutions.

52.5    Councillor Phillips asked if there would be any staff loses if the proposals went ahead, and was advised there would not be.

52.6    Mr C Cliff said that he was currently studying for A Levels at BHASVIC rather than his secondary school, as the subjects he wanted to study were not available there. He therefore felt it was important for schools to be able to offer a full range of subjects.

52.7    RESOLVED: That the Committee –

1.    Noted the responses to the consultation undertaken regarding the proposal to change the age range of Blatchington Mill Secondary School from 11 to 18 to 11 to 16 from September 2019

2.    Agreed to the publication of the required Statutory Notices to progress this proposal

3.    That following the statutory notice period the matter is referred back to the meeting of the Children Young People and Skills Committee on 6 March 2018 for a final decision