Agenda item

Purpose:  To inform the Committee of progress of the School Modernisation Programme.

That progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted.

The Chief Officer introduced a report to give an update on progress of the School Modernisation Programme.  He provided background information and advised that the former Holywell High School building had been demolished and that the project remained on time and within budget.  The Chief Officer reported that at the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 October 2016, approval had been given for the development of the school capital project at Connah’s Quay High School to design development, tender and full business case submission to the Welsh Government (WG) in line with programme criteria.  At the same meeting Cabinet had also approved the capital project at Penyffordd to design development, tender, and full business case submission to the WG.  The Chief Officer advised that the remaining funding from 21^st Century Schools Band A programme would be used on Queensferry Campus to support the modernisation of inclusion provision in the area.

The Chief Officer reported that at its meeting on 18 October 2016, Cabinet had also agreed to allow more time for the Governors and Diocesan Authority to work through strategic options for collaboration and sustainability of the Diocesan school estate.  He explained that a report to Cabinet on Nercwys VA School Review was appended to the report. 

The Chief Officer commented on the recent Ministerial announcement concerning a small frontline grant which was available for schools.  He also referred to the work to be undertaken regarding the national approach to federation and the need for any small and rural schools which may face closure in the future to consider this option, having tried all other possible solutions beforehand.    

The Chairman invited Members to raise questions.

Referring to the capital project at Connah’s Quay High School, Councillor Paul Shotton asked if the contractor had been named.  The Senior Manager School Planning and Provision advised that a submission of interest had been received and evaluated and the contractor would be identified next week.   In response to the comments made by Councillor Shotton, the Senior Manager School Planning and Provision agreed to provide the Committee with information on who pays for the bus service for out-of-county pupils and in-county pupils attending Deeside 6^th.

Mr. David Hytch commented on the need to ensure all young people had access to 6^th form education and raised concerns around the admissions policy for Deeside 6^th.  Mr. Hytch asked that a breakdown of the information circulated at the last meeting on which secondary schools pupils at the Deeside 6^th had attended be circulated to the Committee.

The Chief Officer referred to the performance profile across Flintshire and commented that too many learners were not achieving the grades they should be.  Further work was needed to improve the advice and guidance given to young people to ensure that all information was as informed as it could be on the pathways available to them.  He confirmed that the admission policy at Deeside 6^th mirrored that of school sixth forms across Flintshire.     

Councillor Nancy Matthews commented on the importance of acknowledging the achievements of pupils who gained lower grades as well as those who gained high grades.  The Chief Officer stated that all pupils should be supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.  Councillor Paul Shotton commented on the need to encourage and support pupils who wished to pursue the training and apprenticeship schemes which were available to them. 

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the change in government policy and the effect it would have on small and rural schools.  He said the Authority was under pressure to reduce its surplus places in schools and asked if the change in policy was in relation to surplus places.  Councillor Mackie also commented on the transition support arrangements for pupils of John Summers High School and sought an assurance that pupils were getting full support wherever they transferred to.  The Chief Officer responded to the concerns and outlined the managed transition programme for pupils at John Summers High School and the commitment given to partner schools around funding, staffing adjustments, and joint activities.

Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer asked if a report on the Cabinet Secretary for Education statement around rural schools be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.  Ian Budd agreed to provide a copy of the statement to the Committee.  He explained that further information was being awaited and that an update report could be provided in due course. The Chief Officer commented on the further work to be undertaken in line with the national approach to Federation.

Councillor Mackie raised concerns that the proposals for Penyffordd School and Nercwys Primary School had not been reported to this Committee prior to being presented to Cabinet.  The Chief Officer explained that both the proposals for Penyffordd School had previously been presented to the Committee during consideration of the School Modernisation Programme update and had been awaiting capital funding to be made available.  

The Chairman referred to an email sent by Councillor David Williams concerning the proposals for Penyffordd School.  Councillor Williams explained that the purpose of the email was to advise Scrutiny of his concerns over the proposed location of the new school in Pen-y-ffordd and the level of consultation with local members during the initial site appraisals. In the documents provided to Members there were two appraisal matrices, one of officers and the other taken from an independent feasibility study that he had carried out.  The County Council’s officer appraisal preferred Abbotts Lane as the preferred site, whilst his own concluded in favour of the Youth Club site.

The Chief Officer confirmed that it remained the view of planning, capital programme and education officers, that the Abbots Lane site was the best site for the development and mitigated key programme risks, including planning, suitability and ownership. This was supported by the Governing Body and the other Penyffordd County Councillor. He also confirmed that there was ongoing extensive engagement with local Councillors and other key stakeholders in order to deliver the approved project. 

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin questioned what knowledge and expertise Councillor Williams had to be in a position to dispute the findings of officers. Councillor  Williams responded by advising that as a lifetime resident, he was in such a position through his local knowledge of the infrastructure of the village and daily contact with a broad section of village residents who questioned the wisdom of Abbotts Lane. He also advised that his feasibility study had been carried out by a developer who had built several schools in North Wales, including Flintshire, together with one of the Countries top architects in school design who proved that a new school of the required specification could be built to comply with all national requirements. 

Councillor Ian Roberts referred to the enrichment programmes for the Deeside 6th outlined within the brochure and asked if a response could be provided to the Committee on:-

• how much of this was happening?
• information on the range of clubs/choirs
• how the Seren Network was operating at the Deeside 6^th

Mrs. Rebecca Stark asked what budget per capita was going to Deeside 6^th compared to school 6^th forms.  Ian Budd explained that this was a different funding mechanism but would provide the Committee with an answer on this.

RESOLVED

That progress of the School Modernisation Programme be noted.