Recommendations derived from the review of Gateshead’s primary school provision in Whickham and the Roman Catholic sector will be considered at a Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday February 8.
The meeting, at 10am at the Civic Centre, follows extensive consultation with parents, staff and stakeholders, which sought public views on how best to create sustainable schools while maintaining a high standard of education .
Due to a fall in birth rates some schools are operating with surplus places, which is inefficient. Also, there are a number of very small schools which find it difficult to maintain standards and receive a disproportionate share of funding, resulting in a lack of funding for other schools.
Gateshead Council aims to address this, through the process of consultation, and making the best use of available resources by ensuring sustainable schools with state-of-the-art facilities which will raise academic achievement for all children. This review will ensure that schools identified for capital investment through the Primary Capital Programme have a secure and long-term future.
Funds saved through the closure of a small number of lesser populated schools will be re-invested in other schools.
Cabinet members are expected to consider the following proposals, all of which are subject to further consultation:
1. Proposal to close St John the Baptist RC Primary School, Felling, with effect from August 2011. Pupils to be offered places in other schools in the area with spare capacity, including St Augustine’s and St Wilfrid’s.
2. Proposal to close Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Byermoor, with effect from August 2011. Pupils to be offered places in other schools in Gateshead or County Durham with spare capacity. Consideration to be given to a temporary capacity increase at St Mary’s RC Whickham, if required.
3. Proposal to amalgamate St Joseph’s RC Infant and Junior Schools, Birtley (no date identified) with the initiation of further consultation to discuss potential to amalgamate prior to provision of a single new building.
4. Proposal to close Marley Hill Community Primary School with effect from August 2011. Pupils to be offered places in Clover Hill Primary School, with a temporary capacity increase if required.
5. Proposal to give further consideration to the future of Front Street, Swalwell and Washingwell Schools in Whickham, including consideration of an option to merge Front Street and Fellside Schools, on the Fellside site, extended to two forms of entry.
6. Proposal to review the small school funding arrangements to ensure an equitable distribution of funding to all schools. Any change would be effective from the 2011/12 financial year.
School closures and amalgamations will be discussed during the second half of this term, whilst the informal consultations on the Whickham options will take place during the summer term.
Director of learning and schools David Mitchell said: "We would like to thank all those who contributed to the review by putting forward their views and suggestions. These are difficult decisions for the Council, but it is important we consider these changes to ensure the long-term success of all our young people.
"Consultations will continue to ensure that we create sustainable schools and top educational facilities through the best use of resources."