Issue - meetings

Issue - meetings

Proposal to Close Shelton Lower School, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire

Meeting: 07/08/2018 - EXECUTIVE (Item 25)

25 Proposal to Close Shelton Lower School, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire pdf icon PDF 106 KB

 

The report proposes the closure of Shelton lower school, as sharply falling pupil numbers over the last two years, and projected reducing pupil numbers in future, mean the school is unviable. 

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the closure of Shelton Lower School on 31 August 2019 be approved.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children that proposed the closure of Shelton Lower School due to falling pupil numbers over the last two years.  It was projected that the number of pupils would continue to fall in the future, leaving the school financially unviable. 

 

In response to the concerns raised earlier, the Executive Member confirmed that the consultation process had been followed correctly and explained that there was overwhelming evidence to support the closure of the school.  Legal advice had been sought as well as advice from the Department for Education.  The school had been in financial trouble since February 2018 when the Council had provided a cash advance to ensure that it met its financial obligations and ensure pupils continued to have full access to the curriculum. 

 

In response to Members questions, the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children explained that a full consultation exercise had taken place, which had included engagement with Wootton Lower School and the Department for Education.  He explained that all options had been explored before proposing that the school be closed.   

 

Reason for decision:  The school was financially unviable due to the falling number of pupils attending it.  It had a budget deficit that was projected to increase between now and 2021/22 and there was no credible recovery plan in place.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the closure of Shelton Lower School on 31 August 2019 be approved.

 

The decision was unanimous.