Wokingham Executive set to consider Ryeish Green School
At its meeting on May 31, Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive will carefully consider the responses to the whole consultation carried out on the proposed closure of Ryeish Green School.
The main reason for the Wokingham decision to consult was the falling number of pupils at the school in Spencers Wood. As a result there is a high level of surplus places and doubt about the educational and economic viability of the school.
An initial report was considered by the Wokingham executive in February 2007 and presented to councillors additional information which they felt consultees had not had an opportunity to consider or respond to. The executive agreed to an additional six-week consultation and the council issued a new consultation document in March.
At the meeting next week (May 31), the ten-strong executive will consider all the views received during the whole consultation period. No decision will be taken until the executive has considered all the pertinent facts. Wokingham Council officers are set to advise the executive that no further evidence has been submitted which constitutes persuasive argument to change their advice that that the school is not viable. At all times the council has paid regard to statutory and non-statutory guidance issued by the secretary of state about consultation on school organisation matters.
Wokingham Council officers believe that the school is not viable in educational terms with regard to its ability to offer breadth and quality of curriculum and in financial terms with regard to its ability to set a balanced budget and provide value for money.
The council has received a business proposal from the school governors but officers do not believe this contains a robust financial plan.
If the executive agrees with council officers’ recommendations, statutory proposals would be published to cease to maintain the school with effect from August 31, 2010, with no new admissions to the school after September 2007.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “This is one of the most important decisions the council will have to make and we wanted to ensure that the consultation was as robust and as comprehensive as possible. Education officers will present the executive with a full report and we will consider very carefully all the views given during the whole consultation period. I believe we have all the pertinent facts and stakeholders’ views on which to base our decision.”
The council conducted a comprehensive consultation and sought the views of governors, staff, pupils, parents, prospective parents and the wider community. During October 2006 and March 2007, Wokingham council sent out some 18,000 consultation documents to pupils, parents, teachers and governors at Ryeish Green School as well parents of year 6 pupils and governors at the linked primary schools.
The document was also distributed to homes in the designated area of Ryeish Green School, town and parish councils, MPs and all headteachers as well as other children’s services partner organisations. Information was also posted on the council’s website. There was significant coverage of the issue in the local and regional media. As part of consultation process, the council held meetings with parents, teaching staff and governors at Ryeish Green School as well meetings with parents of pupils at linked primary schools.
The main reason for the Wokingham decision to consult was the falling number of pupils at the school in Spencers Wood. As a result there is a high level of surplus places and doubt about the educational and economic viability of the school.
An initial report was considered by the Wokingham executive in February 2007 and presented to councillors additional information which they felt consultees had not had an opportunity to consider or respond to. The executive agreed to an additional six-week consultation and the council issued a new consultation document in March.
At the meeting next week (May 31), the ten-strong executive will consider all the views received during the whole consultation period. No decision will be taken until the executive has considered all the pertinent facts. Wokingham Council officers are set to advise the executive that no further evidence has been submitted which constitutes persuasive argument to change their advice that that the school is not viable. At all times the council has paid regard to statutory and non-statutory guidance issued by the secretary of state about consultation on school organisation matters.
Wokingham Council officers believe that the school is not viable in educational terms with regard to its ability to offer breadth and quality of curriculum and in financial terms with regard to its ability to set a balanced budget and provide value for money.
The council has received a business proposal from the school governors but officers do not believe this contains a robust financial plan.
If the executive agrees with council officers’ recommendations, statutory proposals would be published to cease to maintain the school with effect from August 31, 2010, with no new admissions to the school after September 2007.
Cllr Frank Browne, executive member for Wokingham children’s services, said: “This is one of the most important decisions the council will have to make and we wanted to ensure that the consultation was as robust and as comprehensive as possible. Education officers will present the executive with a full report and we will consider very carefully all the views given during the whole consultation period. I believe we have all the pertinent facts and stakeholders’ views on which to base our decision.”
The council conducted a comprehensive consultation and sought the views of governors, staff, pupils, parents, prospective parents and the wider community. During October 2006 and March 2007, Wokingham council sent out some 18,000 consultation documents to pupils, parents, teachers and governors at Ryeish Green School as well parents of year 6 pupils and governors at the linked primary schools.
The document was also distributed to homes in the designated area of Ryeish Green School, town and parish councils, MPs and all headteachers as well as other children’s services partner organisations. Information was also posted on the council’s website. There was significant coverage of the issue in the local and regional media. As part of consultation process, the council held meetings with parents, teaching staff and governors at Ryeish Green School as well meetings with parents of pupils at linked primary schools.
Wokingham Borough Council
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