To consider a report on responses to the statutory notice to discontinue Dilwyn Church of England Primary School (Dilwyn School) and to determine if the school should close with effect from 31 August 2011. 

THAT  Dilwyn Church of England Primary School be discontinued on 31 August 2011.

The recommendation to discontinue Dilwyn School is made in the educational interests of the pupils of Dilwyn now and in the future, for the effective use of public funds, and in accordance with council policies.

The following alternative options have been considered and rejected for the reasons given:

That Dilwyn School continues as a standalone entity. Although there has been much support for this option from members of the Dilwyn community, no new evidence was forthcoming from the responses to the statutory notice to alter the view of the Local Authority and the Hereford Diocese Director of Education that the school is not sustainable as a standalone entity.

That Dilwyn School should amalgamate with another school. Neither the Local Authority, nor the Hereford Diocese Director of Education believe there to be advantages to amalgamation over closure. There was very little support for this option during the initial consultation over the future of the school and no new evidence was forthcoming in the responses to the statutory notice to alter the view of the Local Authority and the Hereford Diocese Director of Education.

That Dilwyn School should federate with another school, or schools. During the representation period, the Local Authority received from the governing body of Dilwyn School a revised proposal for federation produced in conjunction with St Mary’s School, Lugwardine. For reasons described later in this report, the Local Authority and the Archdiocese of Cardiff have not been convinced that the revised proposal for a federation between St Mary’s School and Dilwyn School addresses adequately the educational and financial concerns highlighted through the review of Dilwyn School.  The Diocese of Hereford does believe that the partnership approach should be supported.