Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

The Governing Body of Marple Hall School has published a statutory proposal to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The proposal falls to be determined by the Local Authority.

The Executive is requested to:

·         review and comment on the statutory proposal.

·         delegate the final decision for the proposal to the Corporate Director, Services to People, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Officer contact: Phil Beswick; 0161 474 3832, phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal from the Governing Body of Marple Hall School to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The School had published a statutory proposal but it was for the Council to determine and make a final decision by no later than 26 September 2014.

The Leader of the Council stated that the view of the Council was that should the consultation response indicate broad support for the proposals then it would be minded to agree to the extension.

RESOLVED – That the final decision on the proposal to extend the age range of Marple Hall School from 11-16 to 11-18 be delegated to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Governing Body of Marple Hall School has published a statutory proposal to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The proposal falls to be determined by the Local Authority and a final decision must be taken by no later than 26 September 2014, otherwise it must be referred to the Schools Adjudicator for determination.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the proposal and decision-making guidance and to comment upon the proposals.

Officer Contact: Stephen Bell on Tel: 474 3846 or email: stephen.bell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Services for People, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on the proposal of the Governing Body of Marple Hall School to provide a sixth form education from September 2015.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concern was expressed that student numbers would not be sufficient to provide a wide curriculum opportunity in the proposed sixth form which would demand specialist teachers.

·         It was highly unlikely that the Local Authority could fund any new build projects. Considerable investment would be required for internal reorganisation and the authority would also find this a significant challenge.

·         Councillors noted that there was strong support amongst parents for the proposals.

·         Concern was expressed at how existing year groups would be affected should the proposals be approved.

·         The request was symptomatic of the fragmentation of the education system as a whole where competition had been encouraged – with competition, there would always be winners and losers. Risks would need to be taken that could be detrimental to the education of young people.

·         Given the significance of the decision, concern was expressed at the time period within which the consultation had to be conducted and a decision made.

It was then

RESOLVED (6 for, 0 against, 3 abstentions) - That based on the evidence available and presented to the Scrutiny Committee, the Executive be informed that the Scrutiny Committee does not support the proposal to extend the age range of Marple Hall School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015.