Agenda item - Moulsecoomb Primary School Update

skip navigation and tools

Agenda item

Moulsecoomb Primary School Update

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That Committee note the report.

2.    That a further update report on Moulsecoomb Primary be received by the Committee including:

a.    Information regarding the proposed academy sponsor, New Horizons Academy Trust, and the outcome of the required due diligence process;

b.    Further information on the financial implications of any proposed academisation, including: the liability for any deficit held by the school of a transfer to an academy takes place

3.    That support for the outcome of the parental ballot held on 7th October 2019 be formally noted by Committee.

Minutes:

36.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services regarding the Moulsecoomb Primary School Update. The report was introduced by the Head of Education – Standards & Achievement.

 

36.2    The Committee was advised that following the ballot, parents voted against academisation. It was further stated that the Regional Schools Commissioner selected TRUST and that it was the duty of the Local Authority to work with TRUST to facilitate the transfer over to academy.

 

36.3    Councillor McNair stated that efforts were underway to open up the Blue Bell Primary School ahead of 2021 and enquired how the decision was made.

 

36.4    the Head of Education – Standards & Achievement stated that the headteacher board had not yet met and that 3 different trusts were considered.

 

36.5    The Interim Executive Director – Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities clarified that BHCC were not involved in the decision making process and that this was a matter for the Regional School Commissioner and the Headteacher.

 

36.6    Councillor Brown stated that academies had a good record of working closely and positively with local authorities and further stated that BHCC should be reaching out to them and not denigrating New Horizon Trust.

 

36.7    Councillor Hills enquired if there were minutes of the meeting being discussed and if so could this be shared.

 

36.8    The Assistant Director – Education & Skills stated that they would request a copy of the minutes.

 

36.9    Councillor Knight enquired if BHCC could seek assurances about the set up of the trust.

 

36.10  The Interim Executive Director – Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities          state reaffirmed that the local authority was not involved in the decision making process.

 

36.11  Councillor Knight enquired if it would be possible to raise concerns.

 

36.12  The Interim Executive Director – Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities confirmed that this was possible.

 

36.13  Karen James stated disappointment that parents views were being ignored and further emphasised the importance of BHCC’s support for parents through this.

 

36.14  On behalf of the Green Group, Councillor Nield moved a motion to add recommendations 2.2 and 2.3 as shown in bold italics below:

 

            2.2 That committee agrees to receive a further update report on

Mouslecoomb Primary, including:

 

- information regarding the proposed academy sponsor, New Horizons Academy Trust, and the outcome of the required due diligence process;

- further information on the financial implications of any proposed academisation, including: the liability for any deficit held by the school if a transfer to an academy takes place.

 

2.3 That this committee agrees to formally note support for the outcome of the parental ballot held on 07 10 2019.

 

36.15    Introducing the motion, Councillor Nield explained that it was important to ascertain as much information as possible with regard to New Horizon taking over the process as there was no guarantee that Moulsecoomb would maintain under their purview.

 

36.16    Councillor Clare formally seconded the motion.

 

36.17    The Chair then put the motion to the vote that passed.

 

36.18    The Chair then put the recommendations, as amended to the vote that was agreed.

 

36.19    RESOLVED:

 

1.    That Committee note the report.

2.    That a further update report on Moulsecoomb Primary be received by the Committee including:

a.    Information regarding the proposed academy sponsor, New Horizons Academy Trust, and the outcome of the required due diligence process;

b.    Further information on the financial implications of any proposed academisation, including: the liability for any deficit held by the school of a transfer to an academy takes place

3.    That support for the outcome of the parental ballot held on 7th October 2019 be formally noted by Committee.

Supporting documents:

 


Brighton & Hove City Council | Hove Town Hall | Hove | BN3 3BQ | Tel: (01273) 290000 | Mail: info@brighton-hove.gov.uk | how to find us | comments & complaints