Issue - meetings

AGREED recommendations and that Councillor Ngongo and Jon Abbey, Corporate Director Children and Young People, be thanked for their management of this issue.

Reasons for the decision – as detailed in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(a) That the responses to the consultation on the proposal to close Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School, and detailed in the report of the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, be noted.

(b) That approval be granted to proceeding to the next stage and that a statutory notice be issued to close Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School on 31 July 2024, noting the outline draft statutory notice attached as Appendix D to the report.

(c) That, based on the feedback received during the consultation, the following commitments be made:

·       To offer and provide individual support to pupils and their families with transition from the point a decision was taken, through to the settling into a new school

·       To work with local headteachers of nearby Islington schools, including Islington Roman Catholic primary schools, to provide support to the school and its families, noting that there were places available for every child at Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School in nearby Islington schools, should the proposal to close proceed.

·       To separately offer to all parents of current Year 5 pupils the option to move this class together to another school, either to join another Year 6 class in September 2024, or as a separate bulge class in another school. This was because this was the largest year group at Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School and would have only one year of primary schooling left. Moving the pupils together as a group would mitigate the impact of their transition ahead of a further transition when they moved to secondary school.

·       To provide early dedicated professional support for pupils with Education, Health and Care plans to support all aspects of transition, noting that the Special Education Needs and Disabilities team would work with individual children and their parents/carers to support their transition, including identifying a tailored list of alternative schools suitable to the child’s needs as set out in their plans if required.

(d) That Councillor Ngongo and Jon Abbey, Corporate Director Children and Young People, be thanked for their management of this issue.

Reasons for the decision – Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School had been significantly impacted by falling rolls over a number of years, with 64% of places unfilled. Each surplus place was equivalent to a £5,700 loss of income, creating financial pressure on the School, which could result in an inability to deliver quality education because resources were stretched. Less funding for the School also created a pressure on staffing budgets.

Other options considered – All as detailed in the report of the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none