Outcome of Statutory Notices regarding Pensby High Schools amalgamation.

Councillor Tony Smith introduced a report by the Director of Children’s Services, advising of the outcomes of the representation period which had taken place in relation to the proposals for the amalgamation of Pensby High School for Boys and Girls, as agreed for publication at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 March 2015.  (Minute No. 159 refers.)

Appended to the Director’s report was:

·  Appendix 1 – The Statutory Notice

·  Appendix 2 – The Statutory Proposal Document

·  Appendix 3 – The Decision Makers Guidance

The reasons why these proposals were being put forward were that as a single school with a single budget, there was far more opportunity for the governing body to reduce duplication and create efficiencies in many areas, and to put into place the appropriate number of staff to operate the new fully merged teaching timetable. The school also intended to occupy the Girls building and a small part only of the Boys building, which would reduce the overall costs to the school budget for cleaning, caretaking, heating and lighting etc. Should the two schools remain separate within the Federation, both would be subject to a budget in line with the number of pupils on roll. This would be likely to have an impact on teaching and standards.

All pupils on roll at the two schools would transfer to the mixed sex school, to be called Pensby High School, from 1 September 2015, if they wished to do so. The intention of the amalgamation was to take the best practice from the two predecessor schools and to build on it to improve standards and raise ambition and aspiration. This had been supported by the views of the majority of respondents to the original consultation. The amalgamation of the two schools also provided that both boys and girls living in the local area would have a local school for the future.

Councillor Phil Davies thanked all of the Officers who had supported the project.

RESOLVED: That the following linked proposals be approved:

(1)  the closure of Pensby High School for Boys from 31August 2015;

(2)  a prescribed alteration to the gender intake of Pensby High School for Girls from 1September 2015; and

(3)  the Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to implement these proposals and ensure the prescribed procedures are followed in furtherance of the proposals.

Councillor Phil Davies left the meeting.

Councillor Ann McLachlan in the Chair.