Transcription
Appendix APROPOSAL TODISCONTINUE ARCHBISHOPGRIMSHAW CATHOLIC SCHOOLAND ESTABLISH AN ACADEMYCALLED JOHN HENRY NEWMANCATHOLIC COLLEGESeptember 2010
MATTERS TO BE SPECIFIED IN SECTION 15 PROPOSALS TO DISCONTINUE ASCHOOLInsert the information asked for in the expandable box below each section.Contact details1. The name of the local education authority or governing body publishing theproposals, and a contact address, and the name of the school it is proposed thatshould be discontinued.Solihull Metropolitan Borough CouncilPO Box 20Council HouseSolihullB91 9QUArchbishop Grimshaw Catholic SchoolImplementation2. The date when it is planned that the proposals will be implemented, or where theproposals are to be implemented in stages, information about each stage and thedate on which each stage is planned to be implemented.1st January 2011Consultation3. A statement to the effect that all applicable statutory requirements to consult inrelation to the proposals were complied with.All applicable statutory requirements to consult in relations to the proposalwere complied with.4. Evidence of the consultation before the proposals were published including—(a) a list of persons and/or parties who were consulted;(b) minutes of all public consultation meetings;(c) the views of the persons consulted; and(d) copies of all consultation documents and a statement of how these weremade available.Attached at Appendix A is the details of the consultation process asconsidered by the Cabinet Member for children and young people on 17 June2010. A copy of the consultation document is also attached.
Objectives5. The objectives of the proposal.To replace Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School with an Academy from 1stJanuary 2011. The sponsor for the proposed Academy would be BishopChalloner Catholic College, a highly successful 11-18 voluntary aided catholicsecondary school based in Birmingham.Standards and Diversity6. A statement and supporting evidence indicating how the proposals will impact onthe standards, diversity and quality of education in the area.Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School will be replaced with an Academy. Thesponsor of the Academy will be Bishop Challoner Catholic College which isone of the highest attaining comprehensive schools in Birmingham both atKS4 and KS5. In addition to its Science and Sport specialisms, the College isa Training School and a Leading Edge School with a proven record ofsupporting schools in challenging circumstances to raise standards.The Sponsor, Bishop Challoner Catholic College, working with partners, willbring a strong, proven experience and understanding of raising standards toproduce high levels of attainment, motivation, expectation within a happy,successful and productive 11-19 learning environment, to overcome theeffects of economic and social deprivation.Key features will include: A strong Catholic ethos. A rich extra-curricular programme to allow each individual to develop theirinterests and talents. A strong pastoral care system with high quality information and guidance. The involvement of students in the running of the Academy through astrong student voice programme. A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which prepares learners for thefast changing needs of the 21st century world. Well planned programmes of study. Well taught lessons through highly professional and committed teachers. Formative and summative assessment that underpins progress inunderstanding, learning and achievement. A well structured continuous professional development programme basedon a whole school focus on teaching and learning within a coherent andconsistent framework.Provision for 16 -19 year olds7. Where the school proposed to be discontinued provides sixth form education,how the proposals will impact on—(a) the educational or training achievements;(b) participation in education or training; and(c) the range of educational or training opportunities,
for 16-19 year olds in the area.Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School currently offers 200 post 16 places,this provision will now be provided by the Academy.Need for places8. A statement and supporting evidence about the need for places in the areaincluding whether there is sufficient capacity to accommodate displaced pupils.Archbishop Grimshaw School currently has 1200 places across Years 7 to 11with a Year 7 admission number of 240. The admission arrangements for theAcademy will be the same as the admission arrangements for ArchbishopGrimshaw Catholic School. Based on current parental preference there willbe sufficient places to meet demand from the Catholic community in the areaas well as some applications from none catholic families local to the school.This proposal does not make any changes to the number of places availableat the school.9. Where the school has a religious character, a statement about the impact of theproposed closure on the balance of denominational provision in the area and theimpact on parental choice.There will be no impact on the balance of denominational provision in the areaas Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic school will be replaced by a CatholicAcademy.Current School Information10. Information as to the numbers, age range, sex and special educational needsof pupils (distinguishing between boarding and day pupils) for whom provision ismade at the school.Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School currently has 1200 places across years7 to 11 and 200 post 16 places. The school offers places to boys and girls. AtJanuary 2010 there were 984 pupils on roll. The School caters for pupils withstatements for support in the mainstream but does not have a specialistresource or unit on site.Displaced Pupils11. Details of the schools or further education colleges which pupils at the schoolfor whom provision is to be discontinued will be offered places, including—(a) any interim arrangements;(b) where the school included provision that is recognised by the local educationauthority as reserved for children with special educational needs, thealternative provision to be made for pupils in the school’s reserved provision;and(c) in the case of special schools, alternative provision made by local educationauthorities other than the authority which maintains the school.
All the pupils that are on roll at Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School on 1stJanuary 2011 will transfer to the roll of the Academy. Parents wanting toapply for alternative schools can do so where places are available. Places willbe offered in accordance with the published admissions criteria for the school.12. Details of any other measures proposed to be taken to increase the number ofschool or further education college places available in consequence of the proposeddiscontinuance.NoneImpact on the Community13. A statement and supporting evidence about the impact on the community andany measures proposed to mitigate any adverse impact.The proposed Catholic Academy will be committed to playing a full part in itslocal community and beyond. The new Academy will seek to work withcultural organisations to provide Youth Theatre and facilities for othercommunity groups. The Academy will promote, with partners, a communityoutreach programme that would seek to enhance employability and in thisway would support local regeneration strategies.14. Details of extended services the school offered and what it is proposed forthese services once the school has discontinued.The Academy will ensure that it maintains the work of the current ArchbishopGrimshaw School through its support of the Every Child Matters strategy andits operation as an Extended School for the local community. In addition tothe community work outlined in section 13 the Academy would wish todevelop as a resource base for local Catholic Primary Schools and parishesencouraging life-long learning.Travel15. Details of length and journeys to alternative provision.The Academy will be on the existing Archbishop Grimshaw School site sothere will be no change in the length of journeys to school.16. The proposed arrangements for travel of displaced pupils to other schoolsincluding how they will help to work against increased car use.The Local Authorities transport policy will apply where students transfer toalternative schools.
Related Proposals.17. A statement as to whether in the opinion of the local education authority orgoverning body, the proposals are related to any other proposals which may havebeen, are, or are about to be published.The proposal to discontinue Archbishop Grimshaw School is conditional onthe funding agreement being in place for the John Henry Newman CatholicCollege.Rural Primary Schools18. Where proposals relate to a rural primary school designated as such by anorder made for the purposes of section 15 of the EIA 2006, a statement that thelocal education authority or the governing body (as the case may be) considered—(a) the likely effect of discontinuance of the school on the local community;(b) the availability, and likely cost to the local education authority, of transport toother schools;(c) any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from thediscontinuance of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase; and(d) any alternatives to the discontinuance of the school,as required by section 15(4) of the EIA 2006.Not applicableMaintained nursery schools19. Where proposals relate to the discontinuance of a maintained nursery school, astatement setting out—(a) the consideration that has been given to developing the school into achildren’s centre and the grounds for not doing so;(b) the local education authority’s assessment of the quality and quantity of thealternative provision compared to the school proposed to be discontinued andthe proposed arrangements to ensure the expertise and specialism continuesto be available; and(c) the accessibility and convenience of replacement provision for local parents.Not applicableSpecial educational provision20. Where existing provision for pupils with special educational needs is beingdiscontinued, a statement as to how the local education authority or the governingbody believes the proposal is likely to lead to improvements in the standard, qualityand/or range of the educational provision for these children.
No specialist provision for pupils with special educational needs is affected bythe proposalThe proposed Academy’s SEN policy will meet the requirements of both theSEN Code of Practice and the SEN Test and will lead to improvements in thestandard quality and range of educational provision.In developing this proposal for an Academy, the sponsors have paid particularattention to the needs for children and young people with special educationalneeds and will ensure that the education provided will be structured to enableimproved access to education for all young people with SEN and thus improveprovision.In particular the Academy will: through the emerging collegiate arrangement work together to supportstudents who are at most risk of not being successful in school andbeyond;through the development of the specialisms of maths and performing arts,develop innovative approaches to learning, including the use of creativityand performance which will be accessible to all students;improve standards and strengthen pastoral support to ensure that theneeds of all children can be identified and pastoral support and curriculumdelivery can be tailored to meet need.ensure access to a range of specialist staff is extended both within andbeyond the Academy.Appendix ASummary of Responses on the proposal to close Archbishop GrimshawCatholic School and replace it with an Academy.1. Numbers of ResponsesThe consultation period on the proposal for an Academy to replaceArchbishop Grimshaw Catholic School ran from 19 April until 28 May 2010,1300 consultation documents have been distributed and information publishedon the Archbishop Grimshaw and Solihull Council websites. A consultationmeeting for parents and the community was held at Archbishop GrimshawSchool on 26 April.
Consultation packs were sent to all parents/carers of children at Archbishop Grimshaw School, parents/carers of children with a preference for admission toArchbishop Grimshaw in September 2010, IEB of Archbishop Grimshaw School, Headteachers and Chairman of Governors of all schools in Solihull, Schools in neighbouring councils, neighbouring councils, Ward Councillors, Caroline Spellman MP, Lorely Burt MP, Catholic and Church of England Diocese Smith’s Wood, Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst, Fordbridge and CastleBromwich Parish Councils, residents associations and anyorganisations that currently use the school site or buildings, trades unionsIn addition consultation was carried out with staff at the School, who weregiven consultation packs and a separate staff meeting was held.A consultation exercise was carried out with pupils through representativesfrom the School Council and included those pupils who had engaged with theconsultation exercise and attended the public meeting. The Council operateda face book page for pupils over the age of 13 from the school to post theirviews. Details of the pupil’s views are covered below.A total of 35 (3%) responses have been received to date. With such a smallresponse to the consultation period it is difficult to assess the weight to givethe issues raised but the main ones are identified below.StaffCurrent ParentsYear 6 ParentsPupils (in addition to the School Council)Others3132892. Responses from StaffThree written responses were received from staff at the school the onesraising questions have been passed to the Sponsor for a response: Consultation with staff limited, staff feel unable to respond to theconsultationNo evidence to support Academy processImpact of Academy on NQT inductionHow departments at both schools will work togetherThe following issues were raised by staff at the staff consultation meeting.
Is the partnership between the two schools equalStaff representation on the Governing BodyReassurance for staff post conversionConcerns about the wording of the consultation documentStrategies for improvement in English and MathsWhat strategy for recruiting good staffHow will Academy impact on standardsUniform costA summary of the questions raised and the answers provided at the time isincluded in the consultation response file in the Members Resource Area.3. Response from current parentsThe response from existing parents to the school has been mixed and thisview was reflected at the consultation meeting held at the school. Of the 13responses received 7 are supporting the proposal the remainder either objectto the proposal or raise concerns about particular parts of the proposal.Issues/concerns Why change the name, what about our history?Cost of new school uniforms, we have just had a new schooluniform because of the new buildingSpeed of consultation process needs to be more time and moremeetingsTeaching staff were not included in the meetingWhy was this not done sooner, is it linked to the new building?Will it raise standards at the school?Why is a Birmingham school needed, why can’t Solihull Councilmake the improvements?Although there has been a very low response from parents the key concernraised during the consultation process has been the change of the Schoolname to John Henry Newman Catholic College and the implications this hasfor school uniform, which has already been changed to coincide with the newschool building for September 2009. Many parents are concerned about thecost of providing new uniforms when some pupils are already on their thirduniform since starting the school.4. Responses from Year 6 parentsTwo responses have been received from parents with children due to start theschool in September 2010. Both of these responses were in support of theproposal and in support of the name change for the school.
5. OthersResponses in support of the proposal have been received from the Church ofEngland Diocese, Caroline Spelman MP, Park Hall Academy, and the CraigCroft Residents Implementation Group.A response has been received from Smith’s Wood Parish Council whichraises a list of concerns around the speed of the consultation process, theneed for more detailed information on key issues, change of school name andwhy the partnership between Archbishop Grimshaw and Bishop Challoner cannot happen without the change to an Academy.In addition responses has been received from the current school uniformsupplier for Archbishop Grimshaw School who is very concerned about theimpact of a change of uniform on his business and the value of his currentstock of uniform and Spotlight Stage School who are an existing user of theschool providing a service to children in the area and are concerned about theimpact the change will have on them in particular the cost of the use of thebuilding.6. Consultation with PupilsEight pupils responded by email to the consultation process the issues theyhave raised are: No need to change us to an AcademyDon’t like the new name its too longJust changed our uniformsNo one likes the ideaChildren don’t like the idea should be about their happiness not besttrained teachersDon’t mind the change but leave the name as it isWe took time in designing our logo for our new uniform please don’tchange it.On 21 May Officers from the Council met with representatives of the SchoolCouncil and with pupils who has responded individually to the consultationprocess. Officers outlined the proposal, the following issues were raised: Will this change make our GCSE results better?Our school has a bad reputation in the community a change of namemay help thisWill the school day change, we like our short Wednesdays?Why can’t the new Academy be called Archbishop GrimshawAcademy?
If there is more children in school how will they fit in we are tight forspace, there will not be enough lockers and lunch times are crowdedwith big queues.Our new logo was designed by pupils through a competition why wouldyou want to change it?Will 6th formers have to where uniform?Our discipline rules are not enforcedOur praise system is not usedWe have not had permanent teachers in some of our lessons will thatchange?The focus should be on KS4 to improve our resultsWhat was clear from the pupil consultation was that the pupils wanted somechanges in their school. There was a consensus that they felt that the schoolhad a bad reputation within its community and that discipline in school neededto be better enforced.However, the pupils involved had mixed views about the change that hasbeen proposed and whether it was necessary for the school to become anacademy for some of the changes to be made.The proposal to change the school name brought forward a range of views,some of the students did not want the name to change at all, others felt thatthe Academy should be called Archbishop Grimshaw Academy, They thoughtthat a change in name might help with the communities view of the school.What was apparent from the consultation process is that the students wouldlike to me more involved and have a say in the changes that are proposed.They would like to have the opportunity to seek the views of a wider group ofpupils on the issues they have raised, as well as have an opportunity to meetstaff and pupils from Bishop Challoner Catholic College.Officers have given an undertaking to meet with pupils again and in the eventthat a decision has been taken to move forward to the next stage of theproposal, to work with the pupils on the issues they have raised andendeavour to get the answers to their questions.The Authority has also set up a Facebook page for students over the age of13 to post comments and views on the proposals for their school. Thecomments on the Facebook page have largely followed those that have comethrough the student council consultation reflecting concern over the loss ofArchbishop Grimshaw in the name of the School but a sense that the schooldoes need to change.7. Issues raised at the Consultation MeetingOn 26 April the Council organised a public consultation meeting whereOfficers from the Council and representatives from the Sponsor school wereavailable to discuss the proposal and answer questions/concerns. The
meeting was attended by approximately 65 adults and 30 children/pupils.Views raised at the meeting were mixed with some speakers in support ofchange, whilst others raised concerns. The following concerns were raised: Admission arrangementsUniform change and costWhy now is it linked to the new buildingWhy change the namePupils numbersTiming of the consultationProcess is too quickWill being an Academy make a differenceA summary of the questions asked and the answers provided at the meetingis contained in the consultation response file in the Members resource area.
CONSULTATIONON THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISHJOHN HENRY NEWMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGEAN ACADEMY TO REPLACEARCHBISHOP GRIMSHAW CATHOLIC SCHOOLApril 2010Closing date for responses 28th May 2010
Proposal to Establish an AcademyThis consultation document is seeking your views on the proposed replacement ofThe Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School in Solihull with an Academy to be calledJohn Henry Newman Catholic College.It consists of: information on what an Academy is; an explanation of why Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School is being proposedfor an Academy; information on the proposed sponsor of the Academy; an outline of the sponsor’s plans for the Academy; information on the consultation process; and Information about how you can make your views known.
What is an Academy? An Academy is a state funded school which is independent of the LocalAuthority. It is set up by a sponsor through a Trust and run by anindependent Governing Body that is accountable to the Department forChildren, Schools and Families (DCSF). In Solihull, Academies are considered by the Council to be part of thefamily of schools and other educational institutions in the Borough. In an Academy the staff are employed by the Governing Body. Like Local Authority schools and Voluntary Aided Schools maintained bythe Local Authority, Academies provide a free education for pupils of allabilities and are inspected by Ofsted. Academies are established to raise standards by developing newapproaches to leadership, management, teaching and learning. Academies provide a broad and balanced curriculum. Each Academyspecialises in one or more area of the curriculum.BackgroundArchbishop Grimshaw Catholic School is located within the Kingshurst andFordbridge ward of the Solihull Borough. The students come from a widegeographical area which spans north Solihull and the east of Birmingham.The School was given a Notice to Improve following an inspection by Ofstedin January 2010. In recent years the school’s GCSE performance was wellbelow the national and Local Authority average.The Archbishop Grimshaw School – Educational attainmentGCSE 5 A* -C inc English andGCSE 5 A* -CmathsYearNationalAverageLA 7.750.553.054.354.43636444924222722Since September 2009 the school has been managed under the interimleadership of Ms Fionnuala Hegarty.What is the proposal?Solihull Council, the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and BishopChalloner Catholic College are seeking your views on a proposal to close The
Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School and replace it with an Academy. Thenew Academy will be called John Henry Newman Catholic College. TheAcademy will cater for 1400 students aged 11 – 18.What is the proposed date for the Academy to replace ArchbishopGrimshaw School?Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School will close at the same time as theAcademy opens so there will be no interruption of the children’s education.The Local Authority, Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Sponsorsare working closely together to ensure that the creation of the Academy canhappen as soon as possible. At this stage it is hoped that the change can takeplace at the beginning of this coming academic year (September 2010).Who would the Sponsors of the Academy be?The Sponsor for the proposed Academy at Archbishop Grimshaw CatholicSchool will be Bishop Challoner Catholic College, a highly successful 11-18voluntary aided Catholic secondary school based in Birmingham.Bishop Challoner Catholic College is one of the highest attainingcomprehensive schools in Birmingham, both at KS4 and KS5. In addition toits Science and Sport specialisms, the College is a Training school and aLeading Edge school with a proven and sustained record of supportingschools in challenging circumstances to raise standards and flourish. TheCollege was judged outstanding in its March 2009 Ofsted Inspection. BishopChalloner Catholic College has established strong partnerships, especiallythrough its Training School work, with Higher Education Institutions indeveloping high quality professional development and teaching practice. Italso has very strong partnership links with South Birmingham College andworks dynamically with this institution on innovative curriculum developmentat KS4 and KS5, including the piloting of the new Diploma.The Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham has 40 secondary schools in 13Local Authorities across the West Midlands. The Archdiocese promotespartnership across local authority boundaries to strengthen challenge andsupport between schools in the Diocesan family to secure high qualityCatholic education.This track record of success places Bishop Challoner Catholic College in astrong position to undertake the role of Sponsor. The Governing Body andSenior Management are fully committed to the opportunity to develop further,through the creation of the Academy, the current work with ArchbishopGrimshaw School. The creation of the Academy and a more formal linkbetween the two schools will offer new opportunities for the advancement ofboth schools. A key benefit will be to share and develop areas of expertise ofboth the partners and learn from each other, whilst addressing areas ofunderperformance for the benefit of both school communities.
What are the aims and aspirations for the Academy?The Vision for the Academy is to enable all young people to develop their fullpotential spiritually, academically, morally and socially. Consistent with thepurposes of Catholic education, that education is primarily about thedevelopment of the human person, the curriculum upholds the uniqueness ofthe individual in which it is believed that each person is made in God’s imageand is therefore deserving of respect. The Academy therefore will have aholistic view of educating the whole person within a vibrant and caringcommunity.How will changing to an the Academy raise standards?The Sponsor, Bishop Challoner Catholic College, working with partners, willbring a strong, proven experience and understanding of raising standards toproduce high levels of attainment, motivation, expectation within a happy,successful and productive 11-19 learning environment, to overcome theeffects of economic and social deprivation.Key features will include: A strong Catholic ethos. A rich extra-curricular programme to allow each individual to develop theirinterests and talents. A strong pastoral care system with high quality information and guidance. The involvement of students in the running of the Academy through astrong student voice programme. A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which prepares learners for thefast changing needs of the 21st century world. Well planned programmes of study. Well taught lessons through highly professional and committed teachers. Formative and summative assessment that underpins progress inunderstanding, learning and achievement. A well structured continuous professional development programme basedon a whole school focus on teaching and learning within a coherent andconsistent framework.How will the Pastoral support for students be improved?The Academy’s Catholic ethos and values will underpin an approach topastoral care of the students that will offer a holistic and enabling nurturingenvironment. The Academy will seek to develop a strong personal tutorsystem backed up by a high quality guidance and support team who will offerinformation, advice and guidance in order to help students to plan andmanage their current and future progression through learning and into work.The Academy intends to place parents and carers at the heart of itsengagement with students. It will seek to do this by introducing a range ofstrategies including: regular parental information sessions; the introduction, over time, of ‘live’ online information of studentprogress; specific projects to encourage and support parents to engage in theirchildren’s learning.
.What will the Curriculum look like in the new Academy?The new Catholic Academy will seek to provide a curriculum to enablelearners to meet the challenges and demands of a rapidly changingtechnological and global environment. The Academy will seek to develop acurriculum based on a culture of high expectation and achievement within acomprehensive pastoral framework. There will be a key emphasis onpersonalised learning, which maximises the use of pastoral and tutorsupport.The Sponsor’s initial key focus will be to increase literacy andnumeracy standards, in order to provide a solid ground for raising academicstandards across the curriculum. The Academy will provide full coverage ofthe four core National Curriculum subjects across Years 7-11 and seek toembed information technology across the curriculum and use newtechnologies to allow for ‘anywhere, anytime’ learning.Transition from Primary Schools and the Key Stage 3CurriculumBuilding on the experience of the Bishop Challoner Catholic College, whosework on transition has gained national recognition, the proposed CatholicAcademy would seek to establish close cur
fast changing needs of the 21st century world. Well planned programmes of study. Well taught lessons through highly professional and committed teachers. Formative and summative assessment that underpins progress in understanding, learning and achievement. A well structured continuous professional development programme based
