Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Director of Children's Social Care and Education

Further to Minute No. 48 of the meeting held on 3 October 2019 the Cabinet considered the report of the Interim Director of Children’s Social Care and Education indicating that the Governing body of St Teresa’s Catholic Infant School had written to the local authority stating that they had been unable to set a balanced budget and requesting that the possibility of a merger with their neighbouring Catholic primary school, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, be explored; that the current financial position indicated that the school was heading for a forecast in-year deficit of £0.050m; and based on reducing numbers, as indicated by the recent October 2019 census data (pupil numbers reduced by nine compared to the October 2018 census), this position would worsen to a deficit of £0.120m by the end of 2020/21; and to a deficit of £0.200m by the end of the 2021/22 financial year.

The report also indicated that On 3 October 2019 Cabinet agreed to begin Stage One of a statutory consultation exercise and the purpose of this report was for Cabinet to consider the outcome of that consultation and also invite Cabinet to agree to next steps; that the Stage One proposal had set out a plan to close St. Teresa’s Catholic Infant School and to expand provision of our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School; the Archdiocesan Education Department had confirmed that it was properly consulted on the proposal;  Archdiocesan officers were involved in the consultation meetings and had engaged with the local authority and schools during the statutory process to date; and the Archdiocese could confirm the provision of sufficient primary phase Catholic school places in the area based on the recommendation made in this report.

Attached to the report were Annex A Consultation Leaflet – St Teresa’s; Annex B-   Consultation Summary; and Annex C. St. Teresa’s OLOL – Consultation outcome

Decision Made: That

Reasons for Decision:

The Local Authority has the power to consider all options and to allow for further consultation including closing a maintained school following the statutory process detailed in the report.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Alternative options have been explored by the governing body with support from Officers prior to the governing body making their request.  It was felt that more time could be given to consider the alternative option presented by the Governing Body of St Teresa’s.