Agenda item

(1)       That Cabinet support the commitment from the Governing Bodies of Ysgol Maes Garmon and Ysgol Mornant to develop and consult on a federation proposal;

(2)       That Cabinet authorises support for the schools in planning consultation, decision making and implementation of a federation proposal (with existing officers advising); and

(3)       That Cabinet authorises officers to work with other local schools and community partners on how they can support the sustainability and resilience of Ysgol Mornant

Councillor Bithell introduced the report which provided details of the responses from the statutory consultation period for Ysgol Mornant, Gwespyr Picton.  The proposal to enter into formal consultation on closure was approved in June 2015 on the basis of criteria laid down in the Council’s School Modernisation Strategy which were: Unfilled places across the primary school portfolio; diminishing resources criteria; small school; and it was in Welsh Government’s (WG) categorisation 4 (out of 1-4), with 4 being the lowest, for standards.

Responses had focussed on:

·         The impact on Welsh Culture (language, community and education provision);

·         Transport, with concerns on distance and time to alternative schools;

·         Impact on the wider community;

·         Concern that the Council was not following the Welsh Education Strategic Plan (WESP);

·         Impact on childcare, parents and carers;

·         Impact on pupils

·         Concern about the consultation documents and procedure

On concerns raised about not following the WESP, Councillor Bithell said the authority was committed to the Plan and had been commended for the Welsh school in Shotton, Ysgol Ty Fynnon.  Similarly, on the concern about the procedure that had been raised, he explained that Estyn had considered the documents and believed the review was appropriately and fairly presented.

The Council worked in partnership with WESP to increase the number of fluent Welsh speakers however take up in individual schools depended on parental preferences.  Following Welsh Language surveys in 2009 and 2013, the Council responded to the demand by extending the provision of Ysgol Croes Atti in Flint onto the additional site in Shotton, Ysgol Ty Fynnon, which opened in September 2014 and the number of pupils attending that school were rising.  Conversely, the pupil numbers at Ysgol Mornant had been in steady decline with the current number of 44 not providing a sufficient income to sustain high quality provision at the school.

The Governors at Ysgol Croes Atti had considered an official request to federate with Ysgol Mornant however it was decided, unanimously, that they were not in favour of forming a federation at this time.  However, representatives of Ysgol Maes Garmon had stated that they would wish to engage further with the Governors at Ysgol Mornant and the Council to explore ways in which Welsh Medium provision could be sustained in the area and what support they could offer to achieve this.

In considering the consultation responses, Councillor Bithell said it was acknowledged that parents would be less likely to choose an alternative Welsh medium school if Ysgol Mornant was to close because the next nearest Welsh schools were between 4 and 9 miles away which would result in some children needing to get on a bus at 7.30am which was clearly a disincentive.  In addition, if the school were to close the biggest impact on community activity would be on the Cylch Meithrin.  The Governing Body was currently trying to provide transport to the Cychh Meithrin in an aim to boost numbers at Ysgol Mornant.

A recent Education and Youth Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved “That the Committee recommend to Cabinet that they do not issue the Statutory Notice to Ysgol Mornant but work towards a federation of schools using Welsh Medium education”.  In responding to that an in light of recent discussions with the Governors at Ysgol Maes Garmon, Councillor Bithell moved the following recommendations, which were seconded:

(a)       That Cabinet support the commitment from the Governing Bodies of Ysgol Maes Garmon and Ysgol Mornant to develop and consult on a federation proposal;

(b)       That Cabinet authorises support for the schools in planning consultation, decision making and implementation of a federation proposal (with existing officers advising); and

(c)        That Cabinet authorises officers to work with other local schools and community partners on how they can support the sustainability and resilience of Ysgol Mornant.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) added that the authority wanted the best possible education for all pupils in the County.  Clear guidance had been provided to the Governing Bodies of Ysgol Mornant and Ysgol Maes Garmon on what a federation entailed.  He stressed the importance of community support for a possible federation for the future of education at Ysgol Mornant with more pupils resulting in additional funding and sustainability of the school.  This included supporting early years education and encouraging families to access the school.  If the community could find a practical transport solution for those in nursery at the Cychh Meithrin, he felt a federation could be successful.

A written outline proposal for a federation had been submitted and all of the appropriate support would be offered to both Governing Bodies in preparation of them consulting on the federation which was the next stage of the process. 

The Chief Executive commented on two other school review reports considered by Cabinet the previous month. A similar approach had been taken to allowing schools the opportunity to explore federations as an option. Each case had to be considered on its own merits. The Chief Executive and Chief Officer (Education and Youth) explained the difference to the two previous review reports being the presence of a firm proposal for a federation and information from parents that they would be unlikely to access alternative Welsh Medium education if Ysgol Mornant closed.

On the timeline, the Chief Officer explained that over the next two months consultation would take place with parents, staff, pupils and the community.  Following that consultation a report would be submitted to each Governing Body in April 2016 detailing the responses subsequent to which both Governing Bodies would take a formal decision to form a federation with a start date of September 2016.  A copy of the report submitted to both Governing Bodies in April 2016 would be presented to Cabinet to provide assurance on the process.

Councillor Attridge commended the officers, Cabinet Member, the local Member, Councillor Glyn Banks, and the community for the dignified way in which this had been dealt with, adding thanks to staff, parents and carers.

Councillor Butler concurred and said this was an example of a robust process where an alternative solution had been found which was a good outcome to a difficult situation. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the commitment from the Governing Bodies of Ysgol Maes Garmon and Ysgol Mornant to develop and consult on a federation proposal be supported;

(b)       That support be authorised for the schools in planning consultation, decision making and implementation of a federation proposal (with existing officers advising); and

(c)       That officers be authorised to work with other local schools and community partners on how they can support the sustainability and resilience of Ysgol Morant.

Councillor Shotton left the room during discussion of the item and Councillor Attridge chaired.