Issue - meetings

That:

1)               formal consultation be approved on the proposal that the proposals agreed by Executive on 30^th January 2020 for the expansion of the Farley Hill Primary School in stages on two sites be replaced by a new proposal that Farley Hill Primary School expands to 420 places (plus a nursery) from September 2022, and that the former school site in Farley Hill Village be formally closed;

2)               proposed changes to 2022/23 School Admission arrangements to ensure that all children living in homes on or in immediate proximity to the Arborfield Garrison Strategic Development Location are within the Farley Hill Primary School Designated Area be endorsed;

3)               authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, to determine the proposal.

The Executive considered a report relating to proposed organisational changes to Farley Hill Primary School.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services reminded Members that at the start of this academic year the school had been moved to a new site in Arborfield Green.   Unfortunately, some parents living near the school had not been able to meet the school’s catchment policy and gain a place for their child. The proposal was to expand the school to 420 places plus a nursery and expand the catchment area so that children living in homes in the immediate proximity of Arborfield Garrison SDL were included.  Councillor Howe highlighted the map appended to the report which set out the new catchment area.

Councillor Howe confirmed that the plan was that the former school site in Farley Hill Village would be closed.  He also confirmed that it was believed that The Coombes School would not be impacted by the change in the PAN number of Farley Hill Primary School.

Councillor Kaiser, in his role as Ward Member, welcomed this change as he had parents who could see the school but could not secure a place for their children. 

RESOLVED that:

1)               formal consultation be approved on the proposal that the proposals agreed by Executive on 30^th January 2020 for the expansion of the Farley Hill Primary School in stages on two sites be replaced by a new proposal that Farley Hill Primary School expands to 420 places (plus a nursery) from September 2022, and that the former school site in Farley Hill Village be formally closed;

2)               proposed changes to 2022/23 School Admission arrangements to ensure that all children living in homes on or in immediate proximity to the Arborfield Garrison Strategic Development Location are within the Farley Hill Primary School Designated Area be endorsed;

3)               authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children’s Services, to determine the proposal.