Key Decision Notice and Report
Droylsden Primary And Nursery Places Review
Key Decision Notice
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Service Area: |
Services for Children and Young People |
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Subject Matter: |
Droylsden Primary And Nursery Places Review |
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Decision: |
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Decision Taker(s): |
Cllr Allison Gwynne |
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Designation Of Decision Taker(s): |
Cabinet Deputy Services for Children and Young People |
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Date Of Decision: |
3rd October 2007 |
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Reason For Decision: |
Adopting the recommendations will assist the Council in fulfilling its statutory requirements to secure sufficient and suitable places for pupils in its area, and its duty to consider action in relation to surplus places and to achieve the best educational facilities for the children of Tameside. |
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Alternative Options Rejected (If Any): |
Rationale for rejection. The alternative suggestions do not remove any surplus places from Droylsden and therefore do not address the surplus capacity in the area. |
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Consultees: |
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Financial Implications: (Authorised By Borough Treasurer) |
The recommendations if approved will deliver an ongoing £75,000 full year revenue saving at 2007/2008 prices. The detailed analysis is as follows:
The annual savings which will be made, will be redistributed for the benefit of all schools and pupils via the Section 52 formula funding allocation. This is because the funding forms part of the Dedicated Schools Budget and it cannot be used to contribute to general Council savings. The Council is also in the process of examining the spectrum and future allocation of Early Years funding (including private and voluntary sector providers) to ensure consistency of treatment and funding basis. Any agreed changes will be implemented from the next Comprehensive Spending Review in 2010. £100,000 early years capital funding has been earmarked for the remodelling of Manchester Road Primary to create a nursery unit. Any additional funding for the project would have to be identified from within the Children's Services Capital Programme which is already fully committed until 2009. The consultation in connection with the establishment of the nursery must take into account not only the educational impact on the proposed nursery and the existing school but also whether or not the most efficient use is being made of finance, building and staffing resources in the final solution. The cost of remodelling school buildings of this type often increases significantly above the original estimates due to inherent problems with the existing structure that are only revealed when intrusive surveys are undertaken. In addition the site on which Manchester Road Primary School is located is extremely constrained with no playing field provision. The establishment of the nursery within the main school will effectively mean that the Planned Admission Number for primary places could not increased back to 60 in the future on the current site. |
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Legal Implications: |
The Council has a statutory responsibility under the Education Act 1996, to secure sufficient and suitable places for pupils in its area. In addition, the Department for children, schools and families (DCSF) places a duty on Local Authorities to specifically consider action in relation to surplus places. In undertaking this duty, Services for Children and Young People is working through a process of review of primary and nursery provision in Tameside to ensure that the most efficient and effective use of resources can be achieved to raise educational achievement for the young people of the Borough. |
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Conflict Of Interest: |
None |
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Dispensation Granted By Standards Committee Attached: |
N/A |
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Access To Information: |
The background papers (including consultation documents and responses) relating to this report can be inspected by contacting the report writer: Catherine Moseley, Senior Education Officer |
Signed_______________________________________________________________ Dated____________________________________
(Cllr Allison Gwynne - Cabinet Deputy Services for Children and Young People)
Key Decision Report
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Service Area: |
Services for Children and Young People |
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Subject Matter: |
Droylsden Primary And Nursery Places Review |
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Date Of Decision: |
3rd October 2007 |
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Decision Taker |
Cllr Allison Gwynne - Cabinet Deputy Services for Children and Young People |
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Reporting Officer: |
Ian Smith - Executive Director for Services for Children and Young People |
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Report Summary: |
The provision of primary school places in Droylsden has been subject to review as part of the Council's on going review of primary and nursery provision across Tameside. The Council aims in carrying out the reviews is threefold, namely to:
The review, published in June 2007, outlined options for provision in Droylsden, which the Council believes will reduce surplus places and meet the needs of a modern curriculum. Consultation took place during June and July 2007. The final report is the result of the consultation process. It summarises the comments and concerns voiced by governors, staff and parents. The Council recognises that schools each have their own unique ethos and part to play in the local community. Droylsden has a fluctuating birth rate within a rising birth rate in Tameside as a whole, there is little new housing development planned but neighbouring East Manchester is predicting the population to double within the next few years. Whilst Manchester City Council plan for school places to accommodate this increase, Tameside Council is aware that, historically, many children access their primary education in Tameside and Manchester . All these factors have led to a cautious approach to changes at this time. Reducing the Published Admission Numbers at Fairfield Road and Manchester Road Primary SchoolsAll three consultation responses received relating to the proposed reductions in the Published Admission Numbers at Fairfield Road Primary School and Manchester Road Primary School were against the proposals. Two alternative suggestions have been considered. These schools have the largest surplus capacity in Droylsden with 11.1% at Fairfield Road and 17.9% at Manchester Road . These surpluses are predicted to increase if the current trend in admission numbers continues and bigger year groups leave the school over the next few years. From birth rate and new housing projections, there seems to be insufficient evidence of large numbers of additional pupils in both areas. The reductions proposed in the consultation document are the only options available to reduce the surplus capacity in Droylsden and reflect where both schools currently are in terms of numbers coming into the schools. Therefore, the recommendations are for the Council t o consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Fairfield Road Primary School from 45 to 30 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008 and to consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Manchester Road Primary School from 60 to 45 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008. The Published Admission Numbers at both schools will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis through the annual consultation on admission arrangements, and informed by current data. A range of additional factors have been considered when making recommendations relating to the reduction in Published Admission Numbers at both Manchester Road Primary School and Fairfield Road Primary School .
Reducing the Number of Maintained Nursery Places in Some Droylsden Primary SchoolsOne consultation response was received against the proposals to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School . The response did not directly relate to reducing numbers in the nursery but was primarily objecting to the proposed reduction in the Published Admission Number at the school. The Children's Centre that will be co-located with Fairfield Road will open in the autumn 2007, other Children's Centres in Tameside have been fully operational within nine months of opening. The Children's Centre will have 24 place (12 FTE) sessional day care available for 3 and 4 year old children which will transfer from nearby accommodation. At this stage it is difficult to predict what impact this may have on the school's nursery intake. As the recommendation of this report is to reduce the Published Admission Number at the school to 30, it is further recommended that the nursery at Fairfield Road Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 26 place (13 FTE) nursery from September 2008. One consultation response was received against the proposal to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at St Mary's CE Primary School. The response argues that the provision was well used by parents as it provided wraparound care with local private providers and that to reduce the numbers may lead to falling numbers coming into the school. The response suggested an alternative would be to either leave the number of nursery places at 40 or to reduce to 30 to match the reception intake. The Council does provide more nursery places than the Published Admission Number would ordinarily dictate in some schools, however, these schools have traditionally provided nursery provision for a locality where other nearby schools do not have maintained nursery provision and there is a lack of private and voluntary sector providers. This is not the case in Droylsden where there are 272 places in the maintained sector and 106 places in the private and voluntary sector, 378 places combined and a current occupancy of 336. Maintained nursery places are provided, following reviews, in ratios of 26 part time places to a 30 intake school, in line with staffing ratios of 1:13 and it is therefore recommended that the nursery at St Mary's CE Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008. No responses were received to proposals to reduce the number maintained of nursery places at Moorside Primary School and St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School therefore it is recommended that the nursery at Moorside Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008 and that the nursery at St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008. The recommendations in this report relating to maintained nursery provision in Droylsden will remove a total of 64 (32 FTE) places from Fairfield Road Primary School, Moorside Primary School, St Mary's CE Primary School and St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School. In consulting on establishing a 26 (13 FTE) places nursery at Manchester Road Primary School , the net effect on places in Droylsden will be a reduction of 38 (19 FTE) places. This would reduce the number of maintained nursery places available from 272 to 234 with a current occupancy of 220, of which, 211 are four year olds. The outcome of any consultation on establishing maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road cannot be predicted. However, should the outcome of the consultation be that it is not feasible to establish maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road , it would be necessary to ensure that sufficient maintained nursery places are available within existing provision. Any reduction in the number of nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School needs to reflect the potential reduction in the admission number. This is the subject of further consultation within the annual consultation on admission arrangements to be determined in the spring term of 2008 for admission in 2009. Given this, the recommendation is to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School to 39 (19.5 FTE) from September 2008; and to further reduce the number of nursery places to 26 (13 FTE) subject to a change in admission number for September 2009 and subsequent years. Proposal to explore the possibility of establishing a maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road Primary SchoolOne consultation response was received from a parent governor at the school in favour of the proposal. Manchester Road Primary School is the only primary school in Droylsden without a maintained nursery. An analysis of the reception intakes for 2006 and 2007, shows that parents access nursery provision from a number of providers in Tameside and Manchester . A feasibility study has been carried out on the potential cost of establishing a maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School . The falling roles at the school over the last few years have released some accommodation within the school as the number of classes has reduced. A number of options for adapting the space have been proposed with potential costs ranging from £70,000 to £130,000 (Appendix 2). Funding to facilitate any proposed accommodation changes could be accessed through Children's Centre funding. It is therefore recommended that consultation takes place on establishing a 26 place (13 FTE) maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School from September 2008. The consultation will give consideration to the impact on education and school management, access and traffic management and the efficient and effective use of resources on a constrained site. |
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Recommendations: |
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Justification For Decision: |
Adopting the recommendations will assist the Council in fulfilling its statutory requirements to secure sufficient and suitable places for pupils in its area, and its duty to consider action in relation to surplus places and to achieve the best educational facilities for the children of Tameside. |
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Alternative Options Rejected (If Any): |
Rationale for rejection. The alternative suggestions do not remove any surplus places from Droylsden and therefore do not address the surplus capacity in the area. |
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Consultees: |
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Financial Implications: (Authorised By Borough Treasurer) |
The recommendations if approved will deliver an ongoing £75,000 full year revenue saving at 2007/2008 prices. The detailed analysis is as follows:
The annual savings which will be made, will be redistributed for the benefit of all schools and pupils via the Section 52 formula funding allocation. This is because the funding forms part of the Dedicated Schools Budget and it cannot be used to contribute to general Council savings. The Council is also in the process of examining the spectrum and future allocation of Early Years funding (including private and voluntary sector providers) to ensure consistency of treatment and funding basis. Any agreed changes will be implemented from the next Comprehensive Spending Review in 2010. £100,000 early years capital funding has been earmarked for the remodelling of Manchester Road Primary to create a nursery unit. Any additional funding for the project would have to be identified from within the Children's Services Capital Programme which is already fully committed until 2009. The consultation in connection with the establishment of the nursery must take into account not only the educational impact on the proposed nursery and the existing school but also whether or not the most efficient use is being made of finance, building and staffing resources in the final solution. The cost of remodelling school buildings of this type often increases significantly above the original estimates due to inherent problems with the existing structure that are only revealed when intrusive surveys are undertaken. In addition the site on which Manchester Road Primary School is located is extremely constrained with no playing field provision. The establishment of the nursery within the main school will effectively mean that the Planned Admission Number for primary places could not increase back to 60 in the future on the current site. |
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Legal Implications: (Authorised By Borough Solicitor) |
The Council has a statutory responsibility under the Education Act 1996, to secure sufficient and suitable places for pupils in its area. In addition, the Department for children, schools and families (DCSF) places a duty on Local Authorities to specifically consider action in relation to surplus places. In undertaking this duty, Services for Children and Young People is working through a process of review of primary and nursery provision in Tameside to ensure that the most efficient and effective use of resources can be achieved to raise educational achievement for the young people of the Borough. |
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Risk Management: |
There are several identified risks that the outcomes of the review will help to manage. There is a risk of not meeting performance indicators relating to surplus places and the outcomes of the review will reduce surplus places in the borough over the coming years. There is a risk of pupils not achieving their potential in smaller schools that are not full and the breadth of curriculum that can be offered and cost of provision becomes less viable. |
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Links To Community Plan: |
The Community Strategy is centred around building a cohesive community. The recommendations outlined in this report will promote access to a high quality educational experience for children in Droylsden by ensuring that education provision meets their long term needs. |
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Access To Information: |
The background papers (including consultation documents and responses) relating to this report can be inspected by contacting the report writer: Catherine Moseley, Senior Education Officer |
1. Background
1.1 Rationale for the Review
The Council has a statutory responsibility under the Education Act 1996, to secure sufficient and suitable places for pupils in its area. In addition, the DCSF places a duty on Local Authorities to specifically consider action in relation to surplus places.
In undertaking this duty, Tameside Council has worked through a process of reviewing primary school places on an area basis. Area reviews have been completed in other areas of the borough and commenced in Droylsden in the spring term, 2007.
1.2 Changes to the school organisation process
The Education and Inspections Act (EIA) 2006 amended the way that changes to Published Admission Numbers for schools could be changed. Prior to the EIA 2006, changes could be made after admission arrangements had been determined by the admission authority by publishing a public notice and allowing interested parties the right to make representations to the Office of the School Adjudicator. The School Adjudicator would then make a final determination.
Tameside has reviewed the majority of nursery and primary school places through a process of geographically based area reviews. These will be completed by March 2008 when the final area review of Droylsden is finished. From that point on, it is intended that school places across the borough will be reviewed primarily through the statutory annual consultation on admission arrangements.
The annual consultation on admission arrangements takes place in the autumn and spring terms every year. The proposed admission arrangements for the following year for community schools are circulated to all community schools during the autumn term. The Published Admission Numbers will have been reviewed in the light of an analysis of demand for places from the previous year, the birth rate in the area and levels of surplus places in schools. During the consultation period, schools with surplus places in the region of 10/15% or more, or with particular surplus place trends, will be visited by School Organisation Officers to discuss any potential to reduce levels of surplus places. All schools and their governing bodies will be invited to respond to any proposals through the consultation.
The full consultation in the spring term will include any proposals to increase or reduce Published Admission Numbers and will be sent to all schools and admission authorities in the borough as well as neighbouring local authorities. Early indications of numbers applying for admission into Reception will be taken into account at this point. Representations can be made on any proposals during the consultation period to the relevant admission authority. Once the consultation period has closed, a Key Decision report will be presented to the Cabinet Deputy for Lifelong Learning on the admission arrangements. By law, each admission authority must determine their admission arrangements by April. Following the determination, a statutory notice will be published in the local press, stating the statutory consultation period and giving details of where objections should be sent. Anyone can make an objection (in writing) to the proposals in the statutory notice within the statutory consultation period to the Office of the School Adjudicator. The School Adjudicator's decision is final.
This report outlines recommendations that will fall into the above annual consultation. Unlike some other area reviews, the outcome of this review will not be revisited in its own right but as part of the annual consultation.
1.3 Review Process
A consultation document was compiled (Appendix 1) setting out the detail of the provision of places in Droylsden. The consultation document considered current and predicted numbers, nursery provision and school standards.
The Consultation Document found that:
The birth rate in Droylsden has risen slightly since 2000. However this still represents an overall reduction of 31.1% since 1990 when birth rates in Tameside were at a peak.
Surplus capacity in the area is predicted to increase over the next few years as larger year groups in Key Stage 2 leave the school and are replaced by smaller year groups entering Key Stage 1.
There are two community primary schools with surplus capacity above 10% which is predicted to increase over the next few years. They are Fairfield Road Primary School (11.2%) and Manchester Road Primary School (17.9%).
There appears to be a relatively stable population in Droylsden and further significant new housing developments in the area are unlikely. However, the regeneration of East Manchester with the predicted doubling of the population of the area and some new housing may have an impact on the number of pupils coming in to Droylsden schools in future years. Experience from other area primary reviews shows any increase in pupil numbers largely come from family housing and less so from flats and therefore the amount of new development in the Droylsden area is unlikely to result in large numbers of additional pupils.
Overall, the number of places that needs to be removed to address current surplus capacity is 210.
| Number of community places available | 1,575 |
| Forecast number of community places required in 2009 | 1,330 |
| Places to accommodate 3% surplus capacity | 35 |
| Total community places required | 1,365 |
| Places to remove = places available – places required | 210 |
2. Basis For Consultation
The consultation document proposed consultation be undertaken on the basis of:
- The need to remove 210 places from community primary schools by September 2009 (30 places per year group). The options consulted upon set out a cautious approach to managing surplus places.
- To establish the feasibility of maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road Primary School
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Current net capacity |
Proposed net capacity |
Change in net capacity |
Current PAN |
Proposed PAN |
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Fairfield Road |
Reduce to one form entry |
315 |
210 |
-105 |
45 |
30 |
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Manchester Road |
Reduce to one and half form entry |
420 |
315 |
-105 |
60 |
45 |
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Totals |
735 |
525 |
-210 |
105 |
75 |
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Option Nursery 1
| School | PAN | Proposed PAN | Current number (part time) | Current occupancy 3 yrs 4 yrs | Occupancy 05/06 | Proposed Number (part time) | |
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| Fairfield Road | 45 | 30 | 60 | 8 | 29 | 29 | 26 |
| Moorside | 60 | 60 | 60 | 43 | 46 | 52 | |
| Greenside | 60 | 60 | 52 | 1 | 57 | 55 | 52 |
| St Mary's | 30 | 30 | 40 | 42 | 38 | 26 | |
| St Stephen's | 60 | 60 | 60 | 40 | 39 | 52 | |
| Totals | 255 | 225 | 272 | 220 | 207 | 208 | |
Option Nursery 2
Manchester Road Primary School is the only primary school in Droylsden without a maintained nursery. Analysis of the reception intake for Manchester Road Primary School shows that pupils come from a wide number of nursery providers. It would therefore be feasible to explore the possibility of establishing maintained nursery provision at the school.
3. Consultation Process
During June and July 2007, consultation was undertaken on the options to reduce surplus places. All schools involved were invited to hold meetings for staff, parents and governors. Meetings were held with staff, parents and governors at Manchester Road and Fairfield Road Primary Schools and with staff and governors at St Mary's CE Primary School. An open public meeting in the evening at Greenside Children's Centre was also organised. Other partners consulted included:
- Diocesan representatives
- Unions and professional associations
- Ward Councillors
- Sunshine Pre School
Copies of the Droylsden Primary and Nursery Places Review document were distributed to all schools and the document was available on the Tameside MBC website. All consultees were given the opportunity to respond in writing.
4. Responses To The Consultation
The Council received five written responses to the consultation by the due date. One was from a parent governor at Manchester Road Primary School, one was from a member of staff at St Mary's CE Primary School, one was a joint response from parents, staff and governors at Fairfield Road School, Fairfield Education and Childcare and Fairfield Children's Centre and two were from neighbouring authorities who had no objections to the proposals. A written response was made to all those who could be identified.
The responses for each school have been grouped into comments and concerns and alternative suggestions followed by the Council's response.
4.1 Proposals to reduce the Published Admission Number at Manchester Road Primary School from 60 to 45
One response from a parent governor was received which was against the proposal due to concerns relating to teaching in mixed age groups and the impact this will have on pupils further up the school in Key Stage 2.
| Concern | Services for Children and Young People Response |
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| Having a PAN of 45 at Manchester Road will mean mixed age classes | The school currently has a wide variety of numbers in each year group ranging from 33 in Year 1 to 57 in Year 3. The infant class size initiative ensures that there are no more than 30 pupils in each Key Stage 1 teaching group therefore a PAN of 45 allows the school to manage numbers in the school more easily. The respondent raises the issue of what happens in Key Stage 2 after the infant class size initiative is no longer applicable and the possibility of larger classes therefore exists. This would be matter for internal school organisation within the school. |
4.2 Proposals to reduce the Published Admission Number at Fairfield Road Primary School from 45 to 30
One joint response was received parents, staff and governors at Fairfield Road School , Fairfield Education and Childcare and Fairfield Children's Centre against the proposal.
| Concern | Services for Children and Young People Response |
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| Time is needed for the Children's Centre to get established | The Children's Centre is planned to open in October 2007 and the provision will include 24 sessional places run by Fairfield Education and Childcare. Where Children's Centres have been opened in other areas of the borough, the early years provision is well established within nine months. |
| The Children's Centre provision will lead to increased numbers of pupils coming into Fairfield Road Primary School | Fairfield Education and Childcare will provide 24 sessional places in the Children's Centre and is currently providing this level of provision at a neighbouring community centre. Fairfield Road Primary School also has a 60 place maintained nursery. Therefore, there will be no additional provision as such in the area when the Children's Centre is opened. Current numbers entering Fairfield Road suggest that some children accessing the nursery provision go to other schools in the area for example, Manchester Road that doesn't currently have a maintained nursery. For example, in 2006-07, there were 29 children in the nursery and 26 allocated places in reception for September 2007. |
| The Children's Centre will provide affordable wraparound care for pupils | From September 2007, Fairfield Education and Childcare has increased the hours available to parents to provide wraparound childcare. This has slightly increased numbers accessing the provision. |
| There is some new development in the area which will increase the local population | There has been some new housing development in Droylsden, primarily at the Droylsden Marina and Railbrook sites. Audit Commission guidelines suggest that 100 new houses will generate 3 additional pupils per year group. The Railbrook site will have 76 one and two bedroom flats and 14 three bedroom houses, Droylsden Marina will have 92 three and four bedroom houses and 291 flats. This suggests that there will be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 new pupils per year group across the Droylsden area. The proposed changes to admission numbers would accommodate these pupils. |
| Redevelopment in East Manchester has meant a short term drop in numbers at Fairfield Road but they will increase again when people move back to renovated housing | Information obtained from Manchester City Council on school organisation in the Gorton and Beswick areas of East Manchester show that the City Council is also reducing Published Admission Numbers in the area. Projected pupil numbers in these areas are forecast to decline until at least 2010. A reduction in the Published Admission Number at a school does not in itself reduce the amount of surplus places and the current use of space will need to be examined as part of a net capacity assessment. Surplus space can be redesignated as community space, IT or library facilities and store areas. If pupil numbers increase in subsequent years, this space can be changed back into classroom facilities. |
| School offers places to many to asylum seekers | Fairfield Road is not unique in the area in offering places to asylum seeker families. The availability of local rented housing stock dictates the number of asylum seekers to a large extent. As no major new housing stock is planned for the area, it is unlikely that the number of asylum seekers will increase |
| The school's admission number has already been reduced from 60 to 45 | The Published Admission Number was reduced at Fairfield Road in 2006 for admission in 2007. However, numbers going into the school have continued to decline with 26 going into Reception in 2007. Reducing the Published Admission Number to 30 will protect the school from numbers close to but above the infant class size limit of 30 and the need to provide additional teachers in Key Stage 1. |
4.3.1 Alternative Suggestion
Two respondents, a school governor and a member of staff, suggested that the Published Admission Number at both schools should remain unchanged until the review is revisited in two years time. Both respondents cite all of the same reasons as are listed above.
The alternative suggestion that the Published Admission Numbers should remain the same has been considered. However, it would not reduce the surplus capacity as much as is desired by the DCSF. The current allocation for Reception places in September 2007 is 26 for Fairfield Road and 46 for Manchester Road although this may move either up or down before the start of the school year. This is a drop for Fairfield Road from 30 in 2006 and an increase for Manchester Road from 33 in 2006 but this number is still smaller than any year group in Key Stage 2. Given that Published Admission Numbers are to be reviewed annually and the birth rate is fairly stable, the alternative options put forward by do not address the surplus capacity in the area. The annual review will be informed by the indicated number of requests for places in September 2008.
4.3.2 Alternative Suggestion
One respondent, a member of staff at St Mary's CE Primary School suggested that Manchester Road and Fairfield Road schools should be combined onto one site.
This alternative suggestion has been considered. Whilst the alternative suggestion would reduce admission numbers, it would reduce them too much. Currently the schools have a combined admission number of 105 and to combine the schools on one site would mean an admission number of 60 at most as neither site could currently accommodate more pupils. This would reduce the number of places in the area by 45. Without substantial capital resources being spent on a new school building, St Mary's already having recently had a new build, this would not be a viable option. The Council is not in favour of this alternative suggestion.
4.3.3 Other factors considered
A range of additional factors have been considered when making recommendations relating to the reduction in Published Admission Numbers at both Manchester Road Primary School and Fairfield Road Primary School .
- The birth rate in Droylsden is fairly stable, there is predicted to be a small rise in numbers coming in to reception in 2008 but this will fall back for admission in 2009.
- The number of Manchester residents accessing provision at both schools is 28% at Fairfield Road and 14% at Manchester Road . Five pupils from Manchester have applied for admission into Fairfield Road reception in 2007 and 12 for admission into Manchester Road . School planning information obtained from Manchester City Council indicates that the school population in the Beswick, Gorton, Clayton and Openshaw areas is predicted to decline until at least 2010.
- The continued provision of free, full time nursery provision in Manchester City Council nurseries.
- The need to provide some protection for schools where considering the Published Admission Number so that pupil numbers do not get close to but above the infant class size limit of 30 thus requiring an additional teacher in Key Stage 1.
- That the annual consultation will have the benefit of early indications of requests for 2008
4.4 Proposals to reduce the number of nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School
One response was received from parents, staff and governors at Fairfield Road School , Fairfield Education and Childcare and Fairfield Children's Centre that did not specifically mention this proposal but contained the concerns expressed in section 4.2.
4.5 Proposals to reduce the number of nursery places at Moorside Primary School
No responses were received in relation to this proposal.
4.6 Proposals to reduce the number of nursery places at St Mary's CE Primary School
One response was received from the Headteacher at St Mary's CE Primary School objecting to the proposal to reduce the number of nursery places from 40 to 26. The response says the school has good wraparound care with a mixture of public and privately funded providers and believes that a reduction in nursery places may lead to a fall in the number of pupils being admitted into reception and a reduction in school budget may impact on staffing. The response suggests that the number of places should remain the same or be reduced to 30 to match the school's Published Admission Number.
The Council has undertaken a systematic review of maintained nursery places in the borough. Maintained nursery places are provided, following reviews, in ratios of 26 part time places to a 30 intake school, in line with staffing ratios of 1:13. The majority of pupils attending the nursery at St Mary's apply for places in the reception class and as attendance at the nursery is not an oversubscription criterion, many parents are disappointed that they cannot obtain places in the reception. Whilst the wraparound care offered by the school in conjunction with private providers appears to be well used by parents, this is also available at other schools in Droylsden. The reduction in the number of maintained nursery places is unlikely to result in falling roles at the school. Maintained nursery numbers are applied in ratios of 1:13 to match statutory staffing levels. To have maintained nursery numbers of 26 places to a 30 intake school allows the nursery to be adequately staffed but additionally allows pupils who have alternative childcare to access Reception places for example, children who stay at home with parents or grandparents or who access full time private provision. The Council does provide more nursery places than the Published Admission Number would ordinarily dictate in some schools, however, these schools have traditionally provided nursery provision for a locality where other nearby schools do not have maintained nursery provision and there is a lack of private and voluntary sector providers. This is not the case in Droylsden where there are 272 places in the maintained sector and 106 places in the private and voluntary sector: 378 places combined and a current occupancy of 336.
The Council does not feel that allowing the number of maintained to remain at 40 or be reduced to 30 is a viable option.
4.7 Proposals to reduce the number of nursery places at St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School
No responses were received in relation to this proposal.
4.8 Proposal to explore the possibility of establishing a maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road Primary School
One response was received from a parent governor at the school in favour of the proposal.
Manchester Road Primary School is the only primary school in Droylsden without a maintained nursery. An analysis of the reception intakes for 2006 and 2007 shows that parents access nursery provision from a large number of providers in Tameside and Manchester . This can lead to issues when pupils join school with prolonged assessment work needed with pupils at the beginning of the school year.
A high level feasibility study has been carried out on the potential cost of establishing a maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School . The falling rolls at the school over the last few years have released some accommodation within the school as the number of classes has reduced. This accommodation would need to be adapted to suit the curriculum and space requirements for the Foundation Stage curriculum. A number of options for adapting the space have been proposed with potential costs ranging from £70,000 to £130,000 (Appendix 2). Funding to facilitate any proposed accommodation changes could be accessed through Children's Centre funding, that any proposal would need to provide an effective use of resources.
This proposal would be in line with the Council's long term aim that all primary schools in Tameside should have their own nursery provision, wherever practical. However, should a maintained nursery be established at the school, this would mean that the Published Admission Number could not rise above the proposed level of 45, as all accommodation would be fully utilised.
The high level feasibility study looked at internal re-modelling to facilitate nursery provision at the school. Further detailed work needs to be undertaken to look at the potential impact of a number of other issues. These include:
- Manchester Road Primary School site is small and constrained by highways and housing on all sides. Additional pupils attending the nursery would require additional playground space to be made available using current playground space. The impact of this on current pupils would need to be evaluated.
- The impact of increased traffic bringing children to the nursery in the morning, at lunchtimes and at the end of the school day will need to be considered.
- The impact on current provision of education and the management of the school would need to be considered.
- The efficient use of resources from both school budgets and Children's Centre funding would need to be evaluated.
- The current infant and junior buildings that form the main accommodation for the school are considered to have a significant number of condition, suitability, accessibility and management issues. In the medium term the best use of resources for the main school, would be obtained from rebuilding the school rather than continuing to manage the existing facilities. However, at the time of writing this report, the Council has insufficient capital resources to deliver this. Future allocations of Primary Capital Funding are likely to be made to the Council which, will provide an opportunity for a new school to be delivered at some point in the future and therefore, value for money needs to be considered when adapting or extending the main building as there is a real possibility that any work carried out would have a limited use if the main school were to be replaced.
The consultation option was to explore the possibility of establishing a maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School . The Council believes that establishing a nursery is a feasible option and therefore recommends consulting on establishing a maintained nursery at Manchester Road from September 2008.
4.9 Number of maintained nursery places available in the area
The recommendations in this report relating to maintained nursery provision in Droylsden will remove a total of 64 (32 FTE) places from Fairfield Road Primary School, Moorside Primary School, St Mary's CE Primary School and St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School. In consulting on establishing a 26 (13 FTE) places nursery at Manchester Road Primary School , the net effect on places in Droylsden will be a reduction of 38 (19 FTE) places. This would reduce the number of maintained nursery places available from 272 to 234 with a current occupancy of 220, of which, 211 are four year olds. The outcome of any consultation on establishing maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road cannot be predicted. However, should the outcome of the consultation be that it is not feasible to establish maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road , it would be necessary to ensure that sufficient maintained nursery places are available within existing provision.
Any reduction in the number of nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School needs to reflect the potential reduction in the admission number. This is the subject of further consultation within the annual consultation on admission arrangements to be determined in the spring term of 2008 for admission in 2009. Given this, the recommendation is to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School to 39 (19.5 FTE) from September 2008; and to further reduce the number of nursery places to 26 (13 FTE) subject to a change in admission number for September 2009 and subsequent years.
5. Summary
The provision of primary school places in Droylsden has been subject to review as part of the Council's on going review of primary and nursery provision across Tameside.
The Council aims in carrying out the reviews is threefold, namely to:
- Remove surplus places by considering the balance between the supply and the projected demand for school places
- Provide a quality environment to meet the educational needs of pupils
- Maximise the efficient and effective use of resources
The review, published in June 2007, outlined options for provision in Droylsden, which the Council believes will reduce surplus places and meet the needs of a modern curriculum.
Consultation took place during June and July 2007.
The final report is the result of the consultation process. It summarises the comments and concerns voiced by governors, staff and parents. The Council recognises that schools each have their own unique ethos and part to play in the local community. Droylsden has a fluctuating birth rate within a rising birth rate in Tameside as a whole, there is little new housing development planned but neighbouring East Manchester is predicting the population to double within the next few years. Whilst Manchester City Council plan for school places to accommodate this increase, Tameside Council is aware that, historically, many children access their primary education in Tameside and Manchester . All these factors have led to a cautious approach to changes at this time.
5.1 Reducing the Published Admission Numbers at Fairfield Road and Manchester Road Primary Schools
All three consultation responses received relating to the proposed reductions in the Published Admission Numbers at Fairfield Road Primary School and Manchester Road Primary School were against the proposals. Two alternative suggestions have been considered. These schools have the largest surplus capacity in Droylsden with 11.1% at Fairfield Road and 17.9% at Manchester Road . These surpluses are predicted to increase if the current trend in admission numbers continues and bigger year groups leave the school over the next few years. From birth rate and new housing projections, there seems to be insufficient evidence of large numbers of additional pupils in both areas.
The reductions proposed in the consultation document are the only options available to reduce the surplus capacity in Droylsden and reflect where both schools currently are in terms of numbers coming into the schools. Therefore, the recommendations are for the Council t o consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Fairfield Road Primary School from 45 to 30 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008 and to consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Manchester Road Primary School from 60 to 45 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008. The Published Admission Numbers at both schools will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis through the annual consultation on admission arrangements, and informed by current data.
A range of additional factors have been considered when making recommendations relating to the reduction in Published Admission Numbers at both Manchester Road Primary School and Fairfield Road Primary School .
- While the birth rate in Droylsden is fairly stable, there is predicted to be a small rise in numbers coming in to reception in 2008 but this will fall back for admission in 2009.
- The proportion of Manchester residents accessing provision at either school is 28% at Fairfield Road and 14% at Manchester Road . School planning information obtained from Manchester City Council indicates that the school population in the Beswick, Gorton, Clayton and Openshaw areas is predicted to decline until at least 2010.
- The continued provision of free, full time nursery provision in Manchester City Council nurseries.
- The need to provide some protection for schools where considering the Published Admission Number so that pupil numbers do not get close to but above the infant class size limit of 30 thus requiring an additional teacher in Key Stage 1.
5.2 Reducing the number of maintained nursery places in some Droylsden primary schools
One consultation response was received against the proposals to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School . The response did not directly relate to reducing numbers in the nursery but was primarily objecting to the proposed reduction in the Published Admission Number at the school. The Children's Centre that will be co-located with Fairfield Road will open in the autumn 2007, other Children's Centres in Tameside have been fully operational within nine months of opening. The Children's Centre will have 24 place (12 FTE) sessional day care available for 3 and 4 year old children which will transfer from nearby accommodation. At this stage it is difficult to predict what impact this may have on the school's nursery intake. As the recommendation of this report is to reduce the Published Admission Number at the school to 30, it is further recommended that the nursery at Fairfield Road Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 26 place (13 FTE) nursery from September 2008.
One consultation response was received against the proposal to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at St Mary's CE Primary School. The response argues that the provision was well used by parents as it provided wraparound care with local private providers and that to reduce the numbers may lead to falling numbers coming into the school. The response suggested an alternative would be to either leave the number of nursery places at 40 or to reduce to 30 to match the reception intake. The Council does provide more nursery places than the Published Admission Number would ordinarily dictate in some schools, however, these schools have traditionally provided nursery provision for a locality where other nearby schools do not have maintained nursery provision and there is a lack of private and voluntary sector providers. This is not the case in Droylsden where there are 272 places in the maintained sector and 106 places in the private and voluntary sector, 378 places combined and a current occupancy of 336. Maintained nursery places are provided, following reviews, in ratios of 26 part time places to a 30 intake school, in line with staffing ratios of 1:13 and it is therefore recommended that the nursery at St Mary's CE Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008.
No responses were received to proposals to reduce the number maintained of nursery places at Moorside Primary School and St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School therefore it is recommended that the nursery at Moorside Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008 and that the nursery at St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008.
The recommendations in this report relating to maintained nursery provision in Droylsden will remove a total of 64 (32 FTE) places from Fairfield Road Primary School, Moorside Primary School, St Mary's CE Primary School and St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School. In consulting on establishing a 26 (13 FTE) places nursery at Manchester Road Primary School , the net effect on places in Droylsden will be a reduction of 38 (19 FTE) places. This would reduce the number of maintained nursery places available from 272 to 234 with a current occupancy of 220, of which, 211 are four year olds. The outcome of any consultation on establishing maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road cannot be predicted. However, should the outcome of the consultation be that it is not feasible to establish maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road , it would be necessary to ensure that sufficient maintained nursery places are available within existing provision.
Any reduction in the number of nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School needs to reflect the potential reduction in the admission number. This is the subject of further consultation within the annual consultation on admission arrangements to be determined in the spring term of 2008 for admission in 2009. Given this, the recommendation is to reduce the number of maintained nursery places at Fairfield Road Primary School to 39 (19.5 FTE) from September 2008; and to further reduce the number of nursery places to 26 (13 FTE) subject to a change in admission number for September 2009 and subsequent years.
5.3 Proposal to explore the possibility of establishing a maintained nursery provision at Manchester Road Primary School
One consultation response was received from a parent governor at the school in favour of the proposal. Manchester Road Primary School is the only primary school in Droylsden without a maintained nursery. An analysis of the reception intakes for 2006 and 2007, shows that parents access nursery provision from a number of providers in Tameside and Manchester . A feasibility study has been carried out on the potential cost of establishing a maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School . The falling roles at the school over the last few years have released some accommodation within the school as the number of classes has reduced. A number of options for adapting the space have been proposed with potential costs ranging from £70,000 to £130,000 (Appendix 2). Funding to facilitate any proposed accommodation changes could be accessed through Children's Centre funding. It is therefore recommended that consultation takes place on establishing a 26 place (13 FTE) maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School from September 2008. The consultation will give consideration to the impact on education and school management, access and traffic management and the efficient and effective use of resources on a constrained site.
6. Recommendations
- To consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Fairfield Road Primary School from 45 to 30 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008 when early indications of applications for September 2009 are known.
- To consult on reducing the Published Admission Number at Manchester Road Primary School from 60 to 45 from September 2009 through the annual consultation on admission arrangements in the spring term of 2008 when early indications of applications for September 2009 are known.
- To consult on establishing a 26 place (13 FTE) maintained nursery at Manchester Road Primary School from September 2008. The consultation will give consideration to the impact on education and school management, access and traffic management and the efficient and effective use of resources on a constrained site.
- That the nursery at Fairfield Road Primary School be reduced to 39 (19.5 FTE) from September 2008; and to further reduce the number of nursery places to 26 (13 FTE) subject to a change in admission number for September 2009 and subsequent years.
- That the nursery at Moorside Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008.
- That the nursery at St Mary's CE Primary School is reduced from 40 places to a 26 place (13 FTE) nursery from September 2008.
- That the nursery at St Stephen's Roman Catholic Primary School is reduced from 60 places to a 52 place (26 FTE) nursery from September 2008.