To report on the consultations undertaken on the revised pupil statistics, on Hereford City Primary School provision and on Leominster Primary School provision.

The Head of Policy and Resources reported to the Committee on the consultations undertaken on revised pupil statistics, on Hereford City Primary School provision and Leominster Primary School provision.

In the consultations on the revised pupil statistics it was reported that only one reply had been received which was from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC); this was appended to the report.  The Head of Policy and Resources informed the Committee that he felt the points made by the LSC were valid and recommended that the School Organisation Plan be amended accordingly.

On the question of primary school provision in Hereford City, Members were informed that all Headteachers in the Hereford ‘pyramid’ had been invited to a meeting on 22nd September 2004.  The Head of Policy and Resources reported that at the meeting it had been decided that no radical changes were needed as numbers entering into reception classes in the last 2/3 years had stabilised.  There was also a need to be prepared for variations within Hereford, as known children data indicates areas north of the river Wye are faced with a continued fall in pupil numbers, whereas schools in the areas south of the river are facing a possible rise in pupil numbers.  The potential rise in pupil numbers in the south of the city was not regarded as a problem due to the additional capacity available at Hunderton School. 

In light of the falling pupil numbers in the north of the city, St. Paul’s and Trinity Schools are considering reducing their Planned Admission Number (PAN).  The Committee accepted the principal of reducing the PAN at St. Paul’s but were concerned at reducing the PAN at Trinity due to the potential for new development at Holmer as outlined in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

The Head of Policy and Resources informed the Committee that the future of primary school provision had been debated in pyramid meetings of all Leominster schools, the North Herefordshire Local Area Forum and a combined meeting of the Leominster Junior and Infants schools.  At these meetings it was acknowledged that the population of Leominster had increased significantly and that the geography of the town had altered.  However there was no support for a new school to serve the western side of the town.  The general consensus was that as a vast increase in pupil numbers was not expected then investment should be made at the current primary school site in Leominster to ensure it meets current and future standards.

The Committee felt that due to the results of the consultation that no further action should be taken, however, the Committee did wish to keep the situation under review especially after the settlement of the UDP.

RESOLVED:

THAT: (a) the School Organisation Plan be amended to reflect the Learning and Skills Council’s comments and the amended document be approved;

(b) the approach on Hereford City Primary Schools be approved;

(c) the Planned Admission Number reduction proposed at St. Paul’s Primary School be approved;

(d) the Planned Admission Number reduction proposed for Trinity Primary School proceed with caution;

and

(e) Primary School provision in Leominster be reviewed after the settlement of the Unitary Development Plan.