Proposal to amalgamate Sparrow Farm Infant & Nursery and Sparrow Farm Junior schools LA meetings with Parents, Staff and Governors – Sept-Oct 2019 Why are we discussing potential amalgamation? • The Headteacher of the Junior School has resigned. • The LA reviewed its Amalgamation Policy in January 2017 which was confirmed by Cabinet members. This policy triggered a pre consultation discussion between the LA and the governors and senior leadership staff of both schools. • The policy asserts in general that amalgamation is a positive way to develop and progress school organisation. What is the proposal? • To establish a new community primary school (with nursery) through the amalgamation of the existing schools. This means that both of the schools would close, and a new primary school opens. It is proposed that the new school would: • Open in January 2021 • Be the same size as the current schools, 3 form entry (90 places a year for Reception onwards); a capacity of 630 places plus nursery. Benefits of a primary school • Strengthened School Improvement through: • Whole School Approach to policies and curriculum • Continuity of Education • Whole School approach to planning and assessment
Benefits of a primary school continued • A single primary school enables a consistent ethos and continuous approach to the curriculum, e.g. single policies for handwriting, reading, maths and behaviour • Consistency of policy and planning across key stages • Strengthened tracking of pupil learning and assessment • Staff retention and recruitment opportunities • Consistent leadership and management across key stages – one School, one Headteacher and one Governing Body to provide clear accountability. • Transition of pupils between Years 2 and 3 is smoother and better for pupils and their families, with less chance of ‘lost learning’ at the beginning of Year 3. • Parents only apply once to one school for admission from Reception to Year 6 (no reapplying for Year 3). Implications of amalgamation • Pupils: Should not see anything different from a day to day perspective. All students due to be on roll at either existing school in January 2021 would automatically become part of the new primary school. • Staff: ▪ A new Headteacher for the primary school would need to be appointed. ▪ The new primary school would have the same number of students as the existing schools, so would need a very similar teaching structure. ▪ The LA’s view is that any new structures implemented, including non -teaching staff, should be managed through natural loss, e.g. retirement, promotion or resignation.
Implications of amalgamation continued Ofsted: Both sch ools currently have ‘good’ Ofsted judgements – so the schools are in a strong position to move forward. Note: all new schools start without an Ofsted judgement. Admissions: The new school would be a community school and so have the same admissions criteria which would apply for Reception and all years. Building: Two buildings – separated by a playing field. A new school does not mean a new building. Budget Implication Not a cost saving exercise – the driver is not to save money although it is about efficiency and economies of scale. Current Sparrow Farm School Budgets (2019/20 - provisional): Infant £1.41m Junior £1.47m In addition, the school reserve balances as of March 2019 were: Infant £357k approx. Junior £164k approx. Any budget reserves would carry forward to the new school.
Budget Implication Continued Indicative figures: The first partial year 2020/21 (Jan-March) with both schools combined budgets. The first full year of amalgamation 2021/22 (April-March) £2.9m total budget (based on current formula funding) less £36k (15% of combined annual lump sums) less £16k (one PE & Sports funding lump sum) Less £4k (one DCF grant lump sum) From 2022/23 £2.8m total budget (based on current formula funding) less £120k (loss of one annual lump sum) less £16k (one PE & Sports funding lump sum) Less £4k (one DCF grant lump sum) Is the outcome already pre-determined? This process is governed by the School Organisation regulations which determines the statutory process that the LA must follow. The engagement with staff, parents and governors is genuine. Cabinet will receive all minutes, notes and responses to the consultation as part of a cabinet report. There is evidence to show that previous amalgamation proposals and the decisions were not ‘a done deal’, i.e. did not proceed.
What happens now … Proposed process and timeframes below: Process = close both existing schools and open a new primary school
Q & A What information would you like to share with us? Reminder – this is not the only opportunity to feedback to the LA. Please respond to the consultation: • Complete the online questionnaire https://haveyoursay.hounslow.gov.uk • Complete the paper questionnaire and send to: School Organisation Officer, School Organisation & Access to Education, Children’s, Health & Adults’ Services, London Borough of Hounslow, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EB Consultation ends on 8 November 2019
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