Agenda item

Context:

To scrutinise the details of the Strategic Outline Programme for Band B 21st Century Schools Programme.

Key Issues:

·         Band A of Monmouthshire’s 21st Century Schools’ Programme is well underway. Caldicot School opens later this month and Monmouth Comprehensive School is on schedule to open September 2018.  

·         Working with Welsh Government, the Local Authority is looking to develop Band B of the programme which will involve the building of a new Comprehensive School in Abergavenny.

·         Working within Welsh Government timescales, the draft Strategic Outline Programme has been submitted.

·         The key areas to be considered are that the proposal seeks to address the condition of Monmouthshire’s school buildings and sufficiency, ensuring that the schools are of an appropriate size and design to meet the needs of 21st Century learning.

·         The proposal will also incorporate a larger Welsh Medium primary school, recognising the increase in numbers of pupils choosing Welsh Medium Education, and a new facility, on a dual site to provide Welsh Medium secondary Education within Monmouthshire.

·         Currently, there are two primary schools within the county, educating through the medium of Welsh, but once pupils reach secondary school there is no provision within Monmouthshire and as a result, pupils need to attend schools within other authorities.

·         The original Strategic Outline Programme (2010) held a much wider remit. This included the development of the whole education estate. However, as a result of cost pressures identified during Band A, a greater focus has been applied to the revised Strategic Outline Programme for Band B.

·         The two remaining secondary schools both require developing. However, the needs of King Henry VIII Comprehensive School are greater due to the condition of the building and the site offers greater potential to develop Monmouthshire’s policy aims.

·         King Henry VIII School is situated in a deprived area of Abergavenny and the school holds the highest level of free school meal entitlement within Monmouthshire’s secondary schools.

·         The north of the county has traditionally been a focal point of Welsh Language, with Abergavenny hosting the Welsh National Eisteddfod.  The Band B programme will allow Monmouthshire to build on this and to meet the priorities of the new administration.

·         With the emergence of the City Deal and the proposal to abolish the tolls on the two Severn Crossings, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in residents within the Chepstow area, at this stage the changes are unquantified and difficult to predict.  The proposal is therefore to consider the development of Chepstow School under band C, when the impact of these will be better known.

Member Scrutiny:

·         Welsh Stream in King Henry VIII Comprehensive School has been tried in the past but has not been particularly successful.  However, the Welsh Stream has been raised as a benefit to the Authority and meets Welsh Government commitments in terms of Wales having one million Welsh speakers.  The Authority’s regional position needs to be taken into account which will be an area for discussion, going forward.

·         It was pleasing to see the two new secondary schools coming to fruition.

·         It was noted that there were not many faith schools being provided in Band A. The Church in Wales attracts a higher level of funding, i.e., 85% funding for voluntary aided schools. A secondary faith school in Monmouthshire would also have the support of Newport City Council. In response, the Chief Officer for Children and Young People stated that there is an ongoing risk around affordability and the condition of existing buildings when the Authority is investing heavily in a limited number. In terms of the changes expected to be seen in a school, this will be driven by the new curriculum.  Discussions around faith provision will continue to be held potentially in Band C also, which will incorporate the needs of Newport City Council with regard to their future need in the south of the County.

·         A Member expressed concern regarding Chepstow Comprehensive School and that there had been no consultation around the school moving from Band B to C. Surplus places at Chepstow Comprehensive School are lower than at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School. It is anticipated that there will be a further 2000 to 2500 houses being built in the south of the County with large settlements likely between Chepstow and Caldicot.  This might led to Chepstow Comprehensive School struggling to meet the demand for future school places. The member considered that there was a strong argument for Chepstow Comprehensive School to remain in Band B, as pupil demand may outstrip supply in the future. In response, the Chief Officer for Children and Young People stated that the Authority is recognising the future demand that is likely to occur in Chepstow.  However, it is the inability to quantify it at present which is the challenge for the Authority.  The Authority is able to meet the investment criteria by removing surplus places in King Henry VIII Comprehensive School and in the Abergavenny area. However, in Chepstow, it is recognised that the school is not at the standard that the Authority would like it to be.  At present, the Authority is unable to say what the level of need will be in the future.  Currently, there is capacity in Chepstow Comprehensive School (21.5%).  The Local Development Plan (LDP) will be reviewed in the near future.  When changes are identified, the Authority will have a better understanding regarding what the level of development in the south of the County will be. Therefore, it is too early to make a judgement regarding Chepstow Comprehensive School.

·         The final submission back to Welsh Government regarding Monmouthshire’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) will be by 28^th September 2017. Feedback from Welsh Government is that the WESP is doing what it is required to do. In terms of the ambition, the one million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050 is a significant step for Monmouthshire.

·         Ysgol Y Ffin surplus places equates to 24.4%; Ysgol Y Fenni surplus places equates to 5.5%.

·         In order to have an ambitious policy to have one million Welsh speakers in Wales by 2050 requires investment.

·         Chepstow Comprehensive School faces a unique pressure, as it has a secondary school in England located close to it. Caldicot Comprehensive School is also located close to the school.

·         The Chief Officer for Children and Young People will shortly be meeting with the Cluster co-ordinator.

·         The condition survey relating to Chepstow Comprehensive School was undertaken some time ago but is in the public domain should members wish to see it.