To seek approval to modify the determined implementation date of the closure of Brewers Hill Community Middle School from August 2017, to bring forward the closing date of the school to August 2016.

1.      That the procedures established by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013, as outlined in the legal implications section of the report, have been complied with in bringing forward the proposal to modify the implementation date of the closure of Brewers Hill Middle School.

2.      That the proposed modification to the determined date of implementation of the closure of Brewers Hill Community Middle School from August 2017 to August 2016 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that updated on current and forecast pupil numbers at Brewers Hill Middle School, following the Department for Education’s approval in June 2015 of the application of Beecroft Academy to change its age range and become a primary school from September 2015.

The report proposed the modification of the determined implementation date for the closure of Brewers Hill Community Middle School from August 2017 to August 2016.

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Education and Skills explained that the Council would be responsible for redundancy and early retirement costs of those staff still employed at the point of the closure. 

Reason for decision:  There was a reduction in pupil numbers in Brewers Hill Middle School and there would be a significant impact on the future provision of a broad and balanced curriculum to remaining children if the original timeframe were to be retained.

RESOLVED

1.      that the procedures established by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2013, as outlined in the legal implications section of the report, have been complied with in bringing forward this proposal to modify the implementation date of the closure of Brewers Hill Middle School; and

2.      that the proposed modification to the determined date of implementation of the closure of Brewers Hill Community Middle School from August 2017 to August 2016 be approved.