To inform the Committee on pupil and student numbers in Hereford in September 2005 and projected numbers in the short and medium term.

The Committee was informed on pupil and student numbers in Herefordshire in September 2005 and of projected pupil numbers in the short and medium term.

The Head of Policy and Resources informed the Committee that primary and secondary schools in Herefordshire were currently experiencing falling rolls.  A general overview of entry figures for primary and secondary schools and sixth forms could be found in the report along with details of the 13 smallest primary schools in the County.

The Committee was updated on the latest situation regarding the feasibility of the Steiner School at Much Dewchurch becoming an Academy.

The Head of Policy and Resources informed the Committee that the feasibility study was scheduled to be completed by June 2006 with a decision then being taken by the DfES on whether the Academy should be created from September 2007 onwards. 

There were a number of issues which needed resolving.  Testing and ICT were not areas that Steiner Schools particularly focused on and the DfES would also require the school to come under the auspices of the Local Admissions Forum, and the Schools Adjudicator, which would require it to publish its admissions and over-subscription policies, with the Local Authority becoming the co-ordinating admission body.  The Steiner Council had requested more information on this process.

The Committee was informed that currently the Steiner School had approximately 270 pupils on its roll.  If the proposed Academy was to be approved then a figure of 26 pupils per year had been discussed.  Discussions had also taken place regarding the addition of a Sixth Form at the proposed Academy.

With regard to the issue of whether or not the proposed Steiner Academy should serve the local area or the whole County the Committee believed that the proposed Academy should serve the whole County, as it did currently, as they felt it would be undesirable for the proposed Academy to essentially be in competition with the local primary and secondary schools.

The Committee noted that the proposed Academy would be open to applicants from the Forest of Dean area who have the same priority for places as Herefordshire children.  Attached at Appendix 1 to the report was a map which detailed the locations of the pupils currently on role at the Steiner School.

Members of the Committee were critical of the idea of establishing the Academy in the light of the falling rolls situation in the County and the need for replacement buildings for existing schools.  The view was expressed that the proposed Academy was not actually needed.

The Head of Policy and Resources reported that the Targeted Capital Scheme bid to fund the amalgamation of Hunderton Junior and Infant Schools had failed.  The amalgamation was still going to go ahead using the Council’s own resources.  However, this could only be done if there was little new work done elsewhere.

The Committee was informed of the programme to create six additional Children’s Centres in the County in the north of Hereford City, Bromyard, Ledbury, Ross, Peterchurch and Kington.  Four of the centres could be on or adjacent to primary school sites.  This would bring a total of nine Children’s Centres to Herefordshire.

The Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) informed the Committee that the level of funding gained for the six new Children’s Centres was less that the total funding received to establish the 3 existing Centres.

RESOLVED:

That (a) the report be noted;

and;

(b) the proposed Steiner Academy should serve the whole County if and when it is established.