To provide the outcome of consultations for the proposal to amalgamate Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy, and the proposal to amalgamate The Lawns Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Biggleswade with Biggleswade Academy Trust.

1.      That the procedures established by The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, as outlined in the legal implications section of the report, have been complied with in bringing forward the proposals.

2.      That the responses received to the consultations undertaken for each proposal, as set out within the report be noted.

3.      That four representations were received in respect of the proposal to close Arlesey Nursery School, Arlesey and the statutory notice as set out in Appendix A, issued on the 14 October 2014 under section 15(1), of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, be confirmed.

4.      That no representations were received in respect of the proposal to close The Lawns Nursery School, Biggleswade and the statutory notice as set out in Appendix B, issued on the 14 October 2014, under section 15(1), of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, be confirmed.

5.      The statutory proposals be approved to:

(a)       close Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable an amalgamation of the provision with Gothic Mede Academy with effect from 1 January 2016, subject to approval by the Department for Education; and

(b)       close The Lawns Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Biggleswade with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable an amalgamation of the provision with Biggleswade Academy Trust with effect from 1 January 2016, subject to approval by the Department for Education.

6.      That the allocation of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) be approved to the same value as any surplus that exists at the point of closure of The Lawns Nursery School and Arlesey Nursery School, to the successor Academies.

7.      That the transfer of the existing land and buildings used by each Maintained Nursery to the respective Academies, under Academy leases, to continue to be used as Nursery provision, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that summarised the outcome of consultations for the proposals to amalgamate the following nursery schools from 31 December 2015:-

·         Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy; and

·         The Lawns Nursery School and Children’s Centre Biggleswade with the Biggleswade Academy Trust.

The amalgamation proposals would be implemented from 1 January 2016, subject to approval from the Department for Education for the proposals by Gothic Mede Academy and Biggleswade Academy Trust, to expand and change their age ranges.

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continued to meet its statutory obligation to secure sufficient childcare and early years provision and also to meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

RESOLVED

1.      that the procedures established by The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, as outlined in the legal implications section of the report, have been complied with in bringing forward the proposals;

2.      that the responses received to the consultations undertaken for each proposal, as set out within the report be noted;

3.      that four representations were received in respect of the proposal to close Arlesey Nursery School, Arlesey and the statutory notice as set out in Appendix A, issued on the 14 October 2014 under section 15(1), of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, be confirmed;

4.      that no representations were received in respect of the proposal to close The Lawns Nursery School, Biggleswade and the statutory notice as set out in Appendix B, issued on the 14 October 2014, under section 15(1), of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, be confirmed;

5.      the statutory proposals be approved to:

(a)     close Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable an amalgamation of the provision with Gothic Mede Academy with effect from 1 January 2016, subject to approval by the Department for Education; and

(b)     close The Lawns Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Biggleswade with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable an amalgamation of the provision with Biggleswade Academy Trust with effect from 1 January 2016, subject to approval by the Department for Education

6.      that the allocation of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) be approved to the same value as any surplus that exists at the point of closure of The Lawns Nursery School and Arlesey Nursery School, to the successor Academies; and

7.      that the transfer of the existing land and buildings used by each Maintained Nursery to the respective Academies, under Academy leases, to continue to be used as Nursery provision, be approved.