Agenda item - West Blatchington Primary School

Report of the Executive Director Families, Children and Learning.

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

      i.         Noted the details of the consultation undertaken by West Blatchington Primary and Nursery School and agreed with the response of the Executive Director of Families, Children and Learning outlined in Appendix 1 that it had not offered the opportunity for ‘full engagement’.

     ii.         Noted opposition to these plans from unions representing staff at the school - Unison, GMB and NEU.

    iii.         Further noted that there were options West Blatchington Primary and Nursery School should consider, including federation and reviewing the school’s partnership arrangements.

   iv.         Agreed that academisation was not the best option for West Blatchington

          Primary and Nursery School and urged the school to halt any plans in that direction.

     v.         Further agreed to have another report to a future meeting of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee outlining the Council’s feedback on the published consultation report and any progress towards academisation.

55.1    The Head of School Organisation and Head of Education Standards & Achievement introduced the report which provided an update on the     consultation being undertaken by           the governors of West        Blatchington Primary and Nursery School to consider becoming an          academy as part of the Pioneer Academy.

55.2    The Chair noted that there was a Green Group amendment and invited     Cllr Nield to move the amendment.

55.3    Cllr O’Quinn raised concerns that the amendment covered the areas that       would be discussed in a debate and suggested it should be taken at the        end.

55.4    Cllr Nield moved the amendment, which was seconded by Cllr John, who         reserved her right to speak.

55.5    Both Cllrs Brown and Meadows expressed concerns of scaremongering,     intimidation and supposition in the Executive Director’s letter to West          Blatchington.

55.6    Cllr O’Quinn raised points regarding the consultation, the impact of       academisation, complexities of governorship, student achievement         and disadvantage.

55.7    Ms Robinson echoed concerns regarding the consultation and ASC       facility, particularly given a lack of communication with PaCC and        mASCot.

55.8    Cllr Meadows raised points about the consultation timing and if the legal         requirements were met, the content of the Executive Director’s letter and lack of Council support for governor’s.

55.9    Cllr Sankey raised questions regarding translation of the consultation and support for consulting non-native speaking parents, school        improvement, governors quorum, networks for federation and contacting        parents regarding concerns.

55.10  Cllr Hamilton raised several points regarding consultation government regulations,   federation options and criticism of the treatment of the Executive Director Families, Children & Learning.

55.11  Cllr John outlined the reasoning for the amendment, highlighted the         factuality of the Executive Director’s letter, and asked for clarification on        what would happen to the building if academisation happened.

55.12  The Committee voted on the amendment, which was carried.

55.13  RESOLVED: That the Committee –

      i.         Noted the details of the consultation undertaken by West Blatchington Primary and Nursery School and agreed with the response of the Executive Director of Families, Children and Learning outlined in Appendix 1 that it had not offered the opportunity for ‘full engagement’.

     ii.         Noted opposition to these plans from unions representing staff at the school - Unison, GMB and NEU.

    iii.         Further noted that there were options West Blatchington Primary and Nursery School should consider, including federation and reviewing the school’s partnership arrangements.

   iv.         Agreed that academisation was not the best option for West Blatchington

          Primary and Nursery School and urged the school to halt any plans in that direction.

     v.         Further agreed to have another report to a future meeting of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee outlining the Council’s feedback on the published consultation report and any progress towards academisation.