Options for primary schools in the Whitcliffe Mount Pyramid - Cleckheaton

• Next steps
• Consultation events
• Online consultation form
• Download full consultation document (126Kb PDF)
• Message from Councillors Smith and Smithson

2008 consultation

Kirklees Cabinet has carefully considered the outcomes of the ‘Brighter futures’ consultation held in 2008.
Here are the key messages about the reorganisation of the Whitcliffe Mount Pyramid from 3-tier to 2-tier that we’ve taken into account:

• Most responses welcomed the change although there was some regret at the passing of the middle schools. Staff and governors positively sought to implement change.
• Most of the concerns were about transitional arrangements and the possible impact on particular age cohorts with a desire to reduce the number of moves between schools.
• The proposed size for primary schools was supported except where this was linked to the proposed closure of St. Luke's CE(VC) First School. The proposal to close St. Luke's CE(VC) First School and the related transition arrangements attracted strong opposition.
  
  

The proposal

Publication of statutory proposals

After considering what you told us we also looked at what’s best for all our primary schools across the Whitcliffe Mount Pyramid.
Based on our findings, we recommend the following schools for expansion and changing their age range by publishing statutory proposals.
These are part of our overall plans for reorganisation of primary schools in the Whitcliffe Mount Area, and as they were consulted on last year they do not require any further formal consultation.

About statutory proposals and notices

This is a legal process and its format is prescribed by law. When proposals are published, a statutory notice containing certain aspects of the complete proposal will be published in the local press, displayed at the main entrances of the schools and in selected locations in the community including libraries and community centres.
From the date of publication, there follows a statutory period during which representations e.g. objections and comments can be made. This is the final opportunity for individuals and organisations to express their views about the proposals and ensure that they will be considered by the Local Authority.

The statutory period for these proposals is six weeks. In addition, although it will not be part of the formal consultation, Cllr Smithson and Cllr Smith are very keen to meet with people. They are open to talk frankly about the rationale and plans to plot the path for staff and students, so that we can all properly and effectively cope with the proposed changes.

Options for Further consultation

We listened to what you said during the last consultation and are now proposing a range of options for the first schools in three areas;

• Birkenshaw and East Bierely
• Cleckheaton
• Hightown

to seek the views of parents/carers, pupils, staff, governors and the wider community before determining the recommended way forward.

We are asking for views in a consultation running for four weeks from Monday 8th June to Friday 3rd July 2009. Further details can be found in the corresponding consultation documents. All parents and carers have been sent the document(s) most relevant to them.

Revised primary proposals

Options for Primary School Provision in the Cleckheaton Area

Existing provision

There are 4 First Schools serving central Cleckheaton
• Heaton Avenue, a Community School with an Admission Number (PAN) of 40 pupils
• Howard Park, a Community School with a PAN of 36
• Moorend CE(C), a Church of England Controlled School with a PAN of 30 pupils
• St. Luke’s CE(VC), a Church of England Controlled School with a PAN of 18 pupils

Church of England Denominational Places

By working with the Diocese of Wakefield, and in line with DCSF guidance regarding the balance of denominational provision we have agreed to maintain the number of Church of England denominational places in the future pattern of provision.
The current pattern in the Cleckheaton area is that 48 out of 124 places per year are in Church of England Voluntary Controlled Schools. See table below.
Map 1 shows the location and current Admission Areas for the Cleckheaton First Schools (pdf 1.79Mb)

Proposals published for Statutory Consultation in Autumn 2008

It was proposed that there should be 3 primary schools using the Whitechapel and West End Middle
School sites as well as the new Howard Park site.

• 1-class entry, Community Primary School at Howard Park (210 pupils aged 5-11, PAN=30) with nursery provision and a Children's Centre,
• 1-class entry, Heaton Avenue Community Primary School on the West End Middle School site (210 pupils aged 5-11, PAN=30),
• 2-class entry, Moorend CE(C) Primary School on the Whitechapel Middle School site (420 pupils aged 5-11, PAN= 60) with nursery provision,
• Close St Luke’s CE(VC)

Outcomes of the Consultation in Autumn 2008

• There were no concerns or issues about the proposal for Howard Park, but significant objections were elicited to the proposals for St Luke’s CE(VC) which were linked to the proposals for Heaton Avenue and Moorend CE(C) First Schools.
• The new building at Howard Park has only been in use since January 2009 and can be easily adapted into a 5-11 primary school with 210 places. Minor adjustments to the PAA would be required as part of the overall redrawing of PAAs for Cleckheaton. Proposals for Howard Park should proceed to statutory proposal stage.
• There were no strong objections to develop a 2-class entry primary school on the Whitechapel Middle School site
• Further consultation is therefore required for Heaton Avenue, Moorend CE(C) and St. Luke's CE(VC) to obtain feedback about the governance arrangements for the proposed primary schools to be located on the West End Middle School site and the Whitechapel Middle School site.
  

Revised Proposals for further non-statutory consultation

We wish to proceed with the proposals to develop

• a 2-class entry, primary school on Whitechapel Middle School site created by moving and enlarging Moorend CE(C) First School. This would be a Church Of England Controlled School for 420 pupils (PAN=60)
• a 1-class entry primary school on the West End Middle School site for 210 pupils (PAN=30) with nursery provision

Map 2 shows one indicative example of how the Priority Admission Areas (PAAs) for the proposals might be drawn. (pdf 1.79Mb)
This gives an indication of the likely scope of the proposed change. The PAAs for the area would be further reviewed in consultation with governors and the community.

Further consultation : Options for Cleckheaton primary schools

Should the proposed primary school be either a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School OR a Community Primary School?

When the preferred option has been agreed we will publish a further document for statutory consultation.

Implementing the options for Cleckheaton primary schools

The table below shows the legal steps that would be required for each of the options to establish a 1-class entry (PAN of 30 pupils per year) primary school on the former West End Middle site in Cleckheaton for 210 pupils aged 5-11 years with a nursery.
The table also outlines the potential impact each option may have for pupil transition. We would like to receive feedback regarding transition in order that we can engage with parents to agree the individual pathway and arrangements for every pupil that will continue to meet their learning needs and fully support their opportunities to achieve their best.

NB. These options have been prepared in consultation with the Church Of England Diocese of Wakefield.

Support through changes

We are preparing detailed plans to plot the pathway for pupils, parents and staff so that we can all effectively manage with any proposed changes. Maintaining stability and creating an improvement in the current standards of our children’s education will remain the backbone of everything we do.

Support for staff

Retaining our skilled teaching and support staff to maintain high standards of teaching and learning is fundamental to our plans. We have been working with staff groups and trade unions to develop a HR framework to support staff transitions that will ensure processes are fair and support individuals in terms of their career ambitions and personal aspiration.