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Agenda item

SOP 21st Century (Band B) - Replacement Fitzalan High School

(Report to follow)

 

To carry out pre-decision and policy review scrutiny of the replacement of Fitzalan High School prior to its consideration by the Cabinet.

Minutes:

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills) Nick Batchelar, (Director of Education and Lifelong Learning), and Janine Nightingale (Head of Schools Organisation & Planning)to the meeting.

 

The Chairperson invited Councillor Merry to make a statement in which she confirmed that the majority of the responses received during the public engagement exercise were largely positive.

 

The Director highlighted the commitment to work together with a wide range

of partners and referenced the Creative Education Partnership which has been established with Cardiff West Community High School, and the relationship between Eastern High School and Cardiff and the Vale college.  The new school sport facilities will be available for use the communities as is the case is other schools.  

 

The Committee were invited to comment, seek clarification or raise questions on the information received. Those discussions were summarised as follows:

 

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Members queried the size of the 6th form at the new school and were advised that the information could not be provided at the time of the meeting, but Fitzalan will be an 11 – 18 school.    It was noted that there is currently real pressure on post 16 funding.

 

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Members noted the importance of primary school access to the facilities, and were advised that at Eastern High School there is a particular gate that is used by the pupils from Trowbridge Primary School.  It is important that the facilities are used to a maximum.

 

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Members asked about partnership working and what partnerships would be involved with the new school, and were advised that some strong links have already been made, for example the combined cadet force; and the strong links with businesses through the courses provided at the school.  Officers are also looking to look at sports development in that part of the city, but also do not want to force a school into a set mould.  It is important not to dictate but to encourage.

 

 

Members were also advised that the shared use of sports facilities in the area are currently being discussed but have not yet been defined.

 

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Members noted what will be the phenomenal improvements in the school, but were concerned to clarify how the structure of the building can contribute to the well-being of the pupils.  Officers advised that one of the key groups in the consultation exercise were the young people themselves and their views on the design of the building and how they occupy the building have been fed into the design.  The cycle routes and new crossing points, which take into account the desired lines for walking to school have also been the subject of input from the pupils.

 

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Members also queried whether there will be specific assessment on air pollution either at the school or getting to school.  Officers confirmed that there has been detailed transport assessment, there will be the same amount of children – it is just the site that has been amended slightly.  It is accepted that it is a busy area with the football ground and the school.  Air pollution and quality dictates what air and heat exchange units are put at the school. It was noted that the acoustics are also important and the sound of the traffic is being monitored.  Members were also advised that any outdoor learning has to be behind the school building to provide an acoustic buffer.

 

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Members noted that whilst 3 years ago there were places available at the school, currently the school is hugely oversubscribed, and that the pressure on places will increase over the next few years, it is the rationale for the Band B investment.

 

 

The Director advised that there has not been a different approach for matching supply and demand for school places, there are however better schools and whilst catchment areas do have a place in the system of criteria it does not guarantee a school place.  There has to be an open system of criteria.  Schools need to be in the right area. 

 

 

It was noted that what is important is not that particular schools increase in size because of parental choice, but that every school provides what is wanted for our children.

 

AGREED – That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.

Supporting documents:

 

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