Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Portfolio Holder for Education outlined the recommendations of the report to the Committee and explained the differences between the two Options put forward with regard to the Llangefni Area Statutory Consultation.

The Head of Learning said that due to the pressure on the schools within the town of Llangefni it was decided to include this catchment area within Band A of the Schools Modernisation Programme.  Ysgol y Graig and Ysgol Corn Hir have already exceeded pupil numbers.  She referred to the consultation process together with numerous responses within the Llangefni catchment area, school stakeholders at Ysgol Henblas, Ysgol Esceifiog, Ysgol Bodffordd, Ysgol Corn Hir, Ysgol y Graig and Ysgol Talwrn.  She noted that due to a recent planning approval for a large housing development in Llangefni, it was considered necessary to re-consult on options as regard to Ysgol y Graig and Ysgol Talwrn.

Councillor Dylan Rees, as a Local Member expressed his concerns to the options to close Ysgol Talwrn and Ysgol Bodffordd as there are strong views to keep these schools open.  He referred to the recent announcement by Ms. Kirsty Williams AM – Cabinet Secretary for Education with regard to Councils having to consider all viable alternatives to close rural schools.  He further said that the Community of Bodffordd express concerns that if the school was to close the community would lose the community use of the school building together with the loss of the school’s playing field.

The Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee said that discussions were undertaken at the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 26 June, 2016 as regard to the modernising of schools programme in the Llangefni area.  He noted that strong views have been expressed by the local communities.

The Head of Learning referred to the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education as regard to changes in the restricting of the code for modernising schools and she noted that 18 of the 47 schools on Anglesey would come under the category of ‘small schools’ within the new organisation code the Cabinet Minister proposes.  The proposed changes to the Schools’ Organisation Code does not include many changes that the service does not already undertake as part of the consultation process within its current modernisation of schools programme.  However the amended Code does suggest additional factors that local authority needs to consider before recommending the closure of schools.  The protocol for closing schools must reflect that the authority has considered the sustainability of small schools including the exploration of clustering, federalisation of schools and community use and working in partnership with other bodies i.e. Health Authority. The Llangefni area consultation is undertaken within the current Schools Organisation Code. 

The Chief Executive expressed that the key drivers for the modernisation of schools programme is the raise standards of education for the children of the Island.  He noted that the Authority would be challenged by Welsh Government if all of the factors referred to by the Head of Learning were not included in a robust business case to Welsh Government.

The Executive considered the information presented and expressed that the education of children on the Island is the most important factor when considering the modernisation of school.  It was suggested that the Property Section be requested to investigate possibilities of securing community use of the school at Bodffordd if a decision was made to close the school in the future.

It was RESOLVED that :-

·      Option B be the preferred option which will incorporate :-

• Option 3 – which is to build a new school to replace Ysgol Corn Hir and Ysgol Bodffordd;

• Option 8 – adaptations to Ysgol Esceifiog, Gaerwen,

• Option 7 – further consultation will be required on adapting Ysgol y Graig to accommodate pupils from Ysgol Talwrn, and close Ysgol Talwrn;

• Option 9 – adaptations to Ysgol Henblas.