Agenda item - Proposal to consult on closure of maintained nursery class at Hertford Infant School

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

RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed –

(i)             That in accordance with DfE statutory guidance Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools (October 2018) committee considers the request of the school to start the process to close the nursery class, taking into account the information in this paper.

(ii)            That, subject to findings from the initial consultation stage, a decision on whether or not to proceed to statutory notices with full proposals is made at a special meeting of the CYPS committee.

(iii)          That at the end of the statutory notice period, a decision on whether or not to proceed with closure of the nursery class is taken at the January 2021 Children, Young People and Skills Committee.

25.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families Children & Learning regarding the regarding consultation on closing the maintained school nursery class at Hertford Infant School. The report was introduced by the Childcare Strategy Manager. The Committee were advised that in the report it stated that the proposed closure date was ‘to be advised’, but following conversations with the Head Teacher it was proposed that the closure date would be at the end of the next school year and so would be in July 2021.

25.2    Councillor Lloyd asked what the implications may be for other nursery schools in the area, and if the nursery were to close would that be a permanent closure. Childcare Strategy Manager said that children didn’t necessarily go their local nursery, but there were two other nurseries in the Hollingdean area which would have capacity to take additional children and there was sufficient provision across the City. If it was agreed to close the nursery it would be permanent, and if it wanted to re-open there would need to be a consultation.

25.3    RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed –

(i)             That in accordance with DfE statutory guidance Making significant changes (‘prescribed alterations’) to maintained schools (October 2018) committee considers the request of the school to start the process to close the nursery class, taking into account the information in this paper.

(ii)            That, subject to findings from the initial consultation stage, a decision on whether or not to proceed to statutory notices with full proposals is made at a special meeting of the CYPS committee.

(iii)          That at the end of the statutory notice period, a decision on whether or not to proceed with closure of the nursery class is taken at the January 2021 Children, Young People and Skills Committee.