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Agenda item

School Organisation Planning: 21st Century Schools (Band B) Willows High School

(Papers to follow)

 

To enable Members to undertake pre-decision scrutiny of developments in relation to Willows High School

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Skills), Melanie Godfrey (Director of Education & Lifelong Learning), Richard Portas (Programme Director, School Organisation Planning (SOP)), and Michele Duddrige-Friedl (Operational Manager, Planning and Provision) to the meeting.

 

Councillor Merry was invited to make a statement in which she stated that  the formal process in terms of the new development and location has been undertaken; there has been a public engagement exercise on the proposals; and Cabinet will be provided with an appraisal of the responses (218) at its next meeting. 

 

Officers advised that approval is being sought from Cabinet to implement the proposal and to change the funding mechanism from the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) to the Band B 21st Century Schools capital funded programme, which is subject to Welsh Government approval.

 

Members were asked to comment or raise questions on the information received.  Those discussions are summarised as follows:

 

·          

Members referred to the need for flexibility in capacity at the school and sought clarification as to whether it is anticipated that the school intake will be broadly as it is currently, or whether, once it becomes established, it will hold on to rather more of its catchment creating a ‘knock on’ effect with other schools.  Members were advised that the aim is for the school to meet the needs of the catchment and get as close to the six forms of entry (FE) as possible.  It is accepted that bearing in mind the drop in the birth rate, which normally happens in 20 year cycles, further consideration may be required. There does need to be flexibility when the numbers increase in the long term.

 

 

Cathays High School is centrally located within the City, it does draw from different areas not just Willows catchment.  Consideration will be given in due course, when there is the capacity in the system, a review will be conducted.

 

·          

Members asked about the plans for marketing Willows High School, without any post 16 provision, so parents do not see that as a negative.   Officers advised that the visioning exercises being undertaken at the present time.  It is important that the learning pathways are appropriate for that school, appropriate for the City and are mapped out properly.

 

·          

Members highlighted the responses in the consultation in relation to traffic management and congestion.  Officers advised that a full transport assessments will be conducted;  there is a proposal to close part of Parc Lewis Road. This is an opportunity for place making and it is important to embrace the opportunities presented.

 

·          

With reference to the planned Sports facilities with other providers, Members queried the plans in place to ensure that the school is not let down by others involved.  The agreement to purchase the 3g pitches is not quite complete but there will then be a Management Lease facility which will ensure security for the school. 

 

 

Members asked whether there would be any costs to the schools budget for those arrangements and were advised that there would not be. 

 

 

Members queried the contractual arrangements with House of Sport and whether those existing agreements mean they automatically pick up on new school developments, or whether, bearing in mind comments in the consultation documents, there will be a tender process.  Officers advised it is not a specific model, however there is provision which the House of Sport has built and owns; it will be hugely beneficial for the school. It is not automatic however, it is dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations during the way forward.

 

Supporting documents:

 

To request a document in an accessible format please e-mail us.

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