Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning incorporating an objection report (Appendix 1) following the publication of a Statutory Notice of the Authority’s intention to increase the capacity of Ysgol y Graig to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Talwrn and to close Ysgol Talwrn was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth reported that in order to comply with the requirements of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, the Authority issued a Statutory Notice of its intention to increase the capacity of Ysgol y Graig to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Talwrn and to close Ysgol Talwrn. The Statutory Notice was issued on 14 January, 2019 following which there was a 28-day period in which to lodge objections to the proposal. Appendix 1 to the report provides a summary of the 23 objections that were received together with the Authority’s response to each objection. The way in which the Council deals with objections to a statutory notice is in line with the procedure set out in the Schools Organisation Code 2013 which requires the Executive to then decide whether the proposals should be approved, rejected or approved with adaptations.

The Head of Learning referred to the objections set out in Appendix 1 to the report which could be summarised under the following themes –

•           On the basis of school places stating that there will not be sufficient places at the proposed new school.

•           On the basis that the number of pupils attending Ysgol Talwrn has increased since the consultation.

•           On the basis of traffic and travel considerations.

•           On the grounds of process including the conduct of the consultation, the impact assessments undertaken and the issuing of the statutory notice.

•           On the grounds that standards at Ysgol Talwrn are good with the school having received a positive Estyn inspection report recently.

•           On the grounds that the pupils’ views were not taken into account as part of the consultation.

•           On the grounds that the transition of children from a small rural school to a large town school will be difficult and will be a challenge for the children concerned.

The Officer said that the Authority’s response to each of the objections listed in the Objection Report sets out the basis of the Authority’s actions with regard to each of the points raised. As in the previous case, a traffic and travel impact assessment will be undertaken following the objection phase and once a final decision is made.

In considering the report and the objections raised, the Executive noted the following –

•           That although the number of pupils at Ysgol Talwrn has increased since the consultation, this coincides with a corresponding increase in the same period in the number of pupils attending the school from outside the catchment area as schools in Llangefni reach or exceed capacity. The number of out of catchment pupils registered at Ysgol Talwrn makes up a significant proportion of the total number of pupils at the school.

•           That standards at Ysgol Talwrn are good and that it is the Executive’s intention that   those standards should be maintained within the education provision for this part of Llangefni.

•           That the objection report raises no new issues that have not been considered during the consultation process.

•           That it is timely that the modernisation process for this part of Llangefni should now be concluded having been of long duration since it originally commenced in December 2016.

It was resolved to approve the original proposal, namely to increase the capacity of Ysgol y Graig to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Talwrn and that Ysgol Talwrn be closed.

This to be done by –

•           Using the existing building for Key Stage 2 i.e. Years 3 to 6 and adapting it;

•           Building a new Block for the Foundation Phase, namely Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2;

•           Considering relocating the Flying Start provision within the Ysgol y Graig campus.

The new block to be part of Ysgol y Graig and not a separate unit. The new arrangement to operate as one school and not as two separate units.