REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOLPROVISION IN MIDDLESBROUGH

Children and Learning Scrutiny Panel

17 October 2007

WHY DO WE NEED A REVIEW?

• Maximise opportunities to raise standards/reduce the attainment gap

• Improve the learning environment/building stock• Reduce surplus places/meet current demographic

demands• Make best use of investment/target limited

resources• Place primary schools at the heart of their

communities

OUR VISION

“Our vision is to create an environment that raises children’s hopes, aspirations and achievement and promotes pride through citizenship. We want our children to grow up healthy, safe from harm, free from poverty and supported to achieve their full potential enabling them to become active citizens of Middlesbrough”.

Children & Young People’s Plan

SOME FACTS• High levels of deprivation impact on children’s well

being and aspirations• 11 out of 42 schools have surplus places in excess

of the 25% level regarded as high by DCSF• A backlog of condition works estimated at £16 million• DDA compliance works estimated at nearly £4 million• Birthrates not expected to rise significantly • Total number of primary pupils unlikely to rise

substantially

BIRTHRATESBIRTHS IN MIDDLESBROUGH 1989/90 TO 2005/06

0

500

1000

1500

2000

Year of Birth

No

of

Bir

ths

1989/90 2005/06

SURPLUS PLACES

MIDDLESBROUGH PRIMARY SCHOOLS SURPLUS PLACE PROJECTIONS 2007- 2013/2016

17.7%16.2%

17.5% 18.0% 17.9% 17.1% 17.2% 17.0%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

22%

24%

26%

28%

30%

32%

34%

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2016

Year

223224412478 2466 2360 2374 2348

2414

NUMBERS ON ROLL/SURPLUS PLACES

Year Number on Roll Surplus Places % Surplus Places

2007 11,441 2,230 16.2

2008 11,244 2,410 17.5

2012 11,360 2,370 17.2

2014 11,425 2,328 16.9

2018 10,828 2,823 20.5

DEVELOPING PRIMARY STRATEGY FOR CHANGE FOR DCSF

• Gathering data/engaging with stakeholders (October/November 2007)

• National announcement about capital allocations (late 2007)

• Options appraisal/develop primary strategy for change (December 2007)

• Consultation on Primary Strategy for Change (January 2008)

• Submit Primary Strategy for Change to DCSF (March 2008)

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Schools (Headteachers, Governors, Staff)• Parents/Carers and Pupils• Trade Unions• Diocese of Middlesbrough• Partner Agencies/Services• Council Members• DCSF

APPROACH TO STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

• Encourage contributions

• Work in partnership

• Develop a shared commitment

• Agree approach/criteria

INITIAL HEADTEACHER VIEWS

• Town wide strategic approach/link to regeneration• Five year tranches• Criteria for prioritising:

- an entitlement for every child

- cost effective use of resources

- extended school services

- collaboration and federation

- suitability, condition, site and access

INITIAL HEADTEACHER VIEWS

• Collaborations/federations which develop from the bottom up

• Leaders in Learning retaining expertise• Sharing resources• Local feel/resource for the community• Specialist services wrapped around school• Cultural diversity• Changes to the school day

NEXT STEPS

• Briefings to Headteachers/Chairs of Governors/ Scrutiny/others

• Working Group with representative Headteachers• Event for governors about federation• Event for stakeholders in early November once

guidance on strategy available• Draft Primary Strategy for Change for consultation