To receive a report seeking support for the application from Church End Lower School, Marston Moretaine to the Department for Education (DfE), for a change of designation from a Foundation School to a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School.

The Executive Member for Families, Education and Children introduced the report and highlighted the positive working relationship between the school and the local authority, in particular regard to the school’s preference not become an academy.

The Director for Children’s Services acknowledged that although it was disappointing to see the comment that the school had stated they did not receive the support they wished for from the local authority, this conflicted with the assertion that the school worked well with the Council. It was determined therefore that it was an indication of preference that the school wished to become a faith school, receiving their preferred form of support from the Diocese.

RECOMMENDED:-

1.    That the Committee support the application from Church End Lower School to the DfE for the consideration of a change of designation from a Foundation school to a Voluntary Controlled school and note the favourable responses to the preliminary consultation carried out by the school.

2.    Subject to approval by the DfE, the Committee support the statutory process to be carried out by the school, which will require publication of a statutory notice followed by formal consultation of at least four weeks

3.    Support that determination for the proposed change of designation be made by the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, if responses to the formal consultation are favourable. If responses to the formal consultation are not favourable determination to be made by the Executive.