Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

Thursday 30 October 2003 at 1.00 pm

;

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy, Tucker and White, Father T Boyle, Rev J Miller and Rev C McGranaghan, Church Representatives, Mr A Sweeney, Parent Representative, and Mr T Tracey, Teacher Representative.

Chair:   Councillor Mitchell presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Education Services, Director of Finance, Director of Legal & Support Services, Ms L Brabender, Senior Solicitor, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

The following paragraph is submitted for information only having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

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SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing background information on issues relating to the school estate, (2) highlighting the Scottish Executive's partnership commitments in relation to the school estate along with the requirements arising from the document "Building our Future - Scotland's School Estate", (3) setting out a vision and options for school accommodation and (4) seeking approval to issue the consultation documents appended to the report in respect of (a) the provision of non-denominational primary education in Port Glasgow, (b) the provision of denominational primary education in Port Glasgow, (c) the provision of denominational primary education in East Greenock, (d) the provision of non-denominational primary education in East Greenock, (e) the provision of denominational primary education across St Joseph's and Holy Cross Primary Schools, (f) the provision of non-denominational primary education along Larkfield, Ravenscraig and Springfield Primary Schools, (g) the provision of primary education in Inverkip, Wemyss Bay and Gourock and, (h) the provision of secondary education in Inverclyde.  (Provost Rebecchi entered and left the meeting during consideration of this item of business.  Councillor Gallacher entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

The Committee adjourned and re-convened to allow for the formal convening and adjournment of the Policy & Strategy and Corporate Business Committees at 2 pm and 3 pm respectively.

Decided: 

That it be recommended to the Policy & Strategy Committee:-

(1)      that the vision for the future provision of education in Inverclyde set out in the report be approved;

(2)      that the issues relating to the school estate arising from "A Partnership for a Better Scotland" and "Building Our Future - Scotland's School Estate" be noted;

(3)      that the options considered for future school provision and the preferred option for each discrete area of provision be noted;

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(4)      that the Committee confirm that Highlander's Academy and Overton primary Schools will be replaced with a new build primary subject to a further report and formal consultation.

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(5)      that the Committee confirm the position regarding Wemyss Bay i.e. "Refurbish, remodel and extend" includes a new denominational primary school for 120 pupils" per the draft consultation document.

(6)      that a report on secondary provision be submitted to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee addressing the issues over the next ten years identified in paragraph 9.3.G of the report.

A.  Provision of Non Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that Clune Park Primary School not close in June 2004;

(ii)      that Highholm Primary School not close in June 2004;

(iii)      that no new school be built on a site at the lower end of Clune Brae and Glasgow Road and no delineated area be established;

(iv)     that Slaemuir Primary School not close in June 2004;

(v)      that the decision that Boglestone Primary School be formally closed in June 2004 be reaffirmed and that the pupils transfer to Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools dependent on delineated catchment areas;

(vi)     that the delineated area for Slaemuir Primary School be as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vii)     that the delineated area for Highholm Primary School be as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(viii)    that no new school be built on the site adjacent to Boglestone Community Centre and no delineated area be established;

(ix)     that a new school be built on the site of the existing Boglestone Primary School;

(x)      that Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools be closed formally in June 2006 or on completion of the new primary school on the Boglestone Primary School site;

(xi)     that the pupils attending Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools transfer to the new primary school with a capacity of 594 to be built on the existing Boglestone Primary School site;

(xii)     that the delineated area for the new primary school replacing Boglestone, Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools be, from December 2005, as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultative document;

(xiii)    that the delineated area for Clune Park Primary School is as shown in Appendix 6 of the consultative document;

(xiv)    that the decision to associate Clune Park, Highholm, Boglestone and Slaemuir Primary Schools with Port Glasgow High School be reaffirmed;

(xv)    that the pre-school education provision made at Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools be sustained in the new school and other pre-5 provision within the area;

(xvi)    that the position of Clune Park Primary School be reviewed in 5 years.

OR

(i)       that Clune Park Primary School not close in June 2004;

(ii)      that Highholm Primary School not close in June 2004;

(iii)      that no new school be built on a site at the lower end of Clune Brae and Glasgow Road and no delineated area be established;

(iv)     that Slaemuir Primary School not close in June 2004;

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(v)      that Boglestone Primary School not close in June 2004;

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(vi)     that the delineated area for Slaemuir Primary School be as shown in Appendix 8 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vii)     that the delineated area for Highholm Primary School be as shown in Appendix 9 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(viii)    that the delineated area for Boglestone Primary School be as shown in Appendix 10 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(ix)     that a new school be built on the Southfield Avenue site as shown in Appendix 11 of the consultative document;

(x)      that Boglestone, Slaemuir and HIghholm Primary Schools be closed formally in June 2006 or on completion of the new primary school on the Southfield Avenue site;

(xi)     that the pupils attending Boglestone, Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools transfer to the new primary school with a capacity of 594 to be built on the Southfield Avenue site;

(xii)     that the delineated area for the new primary school replacing Boglestone, Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools be, from December 2005, as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultative document;

(xiii)    that the delineated area for Clune Park Primary School is as shown in Appendix 6 of the consultative document;

(xiv)    that the decision to associate Clune Park, Highholm, Boglestone and Slaemuir Primary Schools with Port Glasgow High School be reaffirmed;

(xv)    that the pre-school education provision made at Slaemuir and Highholm Primary Schools be sustained in the new school and other pre-5 provision within the area;

(xvi)    that the position of Clune Park Primary School be reviewed in 5 years.

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

B.  Provision of Denominational Primary Education in Port Glasgow

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that St Francis Primary School not close in June 2004;

(ii)      that no new school be built in the grounds of St Stephen's High School and no delineated area be established:

(iii)      that the decision that Holy Family Primary School be formally closed in June 2004 be reaffirmed and that the pupils transfer to St Francis and St Michael's Primary School dependent on delineated catchment areas;

(iv)     that the delineated area for St Michael's Primary School be as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(v)      that the delineated area for St John's Primary School be as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vi)     that the delineated area for St Francis Primary School be as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vii)     that it be reaffirmed that St Francis, St Michael's and St John's Primary Schools be associated with St Stephen's High School;

(viii)    that Rainbow Family Centre be sustained in the area.

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(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

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(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

C.  Provision of Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that St Kenneth's Primary School not close in June 2004;

(ii)      that St Laurence's Primary School not close in June 2004;

(iii)      that no new school be built on the site in the area of Gilmour Street/Fairrie Street and that no delineated area be established;

(iv)     that the decision that St Mungo's Primary School be formally closed in June 2004 be reaffirmed and that the pupils transfer to St Kenneth's or St Laurence's Primary Schools dependent on delineated catchment areas;

(v)      that the delineated area for St Kenneth's Primary School be as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vi)     that the delineated area for St Laurence's Primary School be as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(vii)     that St Kenneth's and St Laurence's Primary Schools be associated with Notre Dame High School from December 2003 with the exception of those pupils residing in the areas shown hatched in black in Appendices 3 and 4 of the consultative document who will continue to be associated with St Stephen's High School;

(viii)    that road safety measures on Bridgend Road at the railway bridge be introduced;

(ix)     that the Language and Communication Unit be relocated to alternative accommodation;

(x)      that the St Mungo's nursery class be relocated to alternative accommodation;

(xi)     that a new school be built on the existing St Kenneth's Primary School site to replace St Kenneth's and St Laurence's Primary Schools to open in August 2007;

(xii)     that the delineated area of the new school, from December 2006, be the combined delineated areas of the existing St Kenneth's, St Laurence's and St Mungo's Primary Schools;

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

D.  Provision of Non Denominational Primary Education in East Greenock

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that King's Glen Primary School not close in June 2004;

(ii)      that Oakfield Primary School not close in June 2004;

(iii)      that no new school be built;

(iv)     that the delineated area for King's Glen Primary School be as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document from December 2003;

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(v)      that the delineated area for Oakfield Primary School be as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultative document from December 2003;

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(vi)     that King's Glen Primary School be formally closed in June 2005;

(vii)     that pupils attending King's Glen Primary School transfer to the upgraded and extended Oakfield Primary School;

(viii)    that the delineated area for the extended Oakfield Primary School be as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultative document from December 2004;

(ix)     that the extended Oakfield Primary School and King's Glen Primary School be associated with Greenock Academy from December 2004;

(x)      that road safety measures on Bridgend Road at the railway bridge be introduced;

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

E.  Provision of Denominational Primary Education Across Holy Cross and St Joseph's Primary Schools

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that Holy Cross Primary School be closed formally in June 2004;

(ii)      that the pupils attending Holy Cross Primary School transfer to St Joseph's Primary School in August 2004;

(iii)      that the delineated area for St Joseph's Primary School be as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(iv)     that an extension comprising one classroom with support areas be built at St Joseph's Primary School;

(v)      that the pre-school education provision at Holy Cross Primary School be sustained across Bluebird Children's Centre and new early years provision in Lady Alice Primary School;

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

F.  Provision of Non Denominational Primary Education Across Springfield, Larkfield and Ravenscraig Primary Schools

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that Springfield Primary School be closed formally in June 2004;

(ii)      that the pupils attending Springfield Primary School transfer to Larkfield Primary School in August 2004;

(iii)      that the catchment areas for Larkfield and Ravenscraig Primary Schools be redelineated as shown in Appendices 3 and 4 of the consultative document from December 2003;

(iv)     that a new school be built to replace Ravenscraig and Larkfield Primary Schools;

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(v)      that the delineated area of the new school be the combined delineated area of the existing Larkfield, Ravenscraig and Springfield Primary Schools as shown in Appendix 2 of the consultative document;

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(vi)     that a report on the preferred site for the new school be submitted to a future Committee;

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

G. Provision of Primary Education in Inverkip/Wemyss Bay

Decided:

(1)      that the following proposals be issued for consultation and made available to all interested parties:-

(i)       that Wemyss Bay Primary School be refurbished and remodelled to accommodate up to 250 pupils;

(ii)      that a new denominational primary school for 120 pupils, serving Wemyss Bay and Inverkip be designed and built on a joint campus basis within the existing Wemyss Bay Primary/Community Centre site, to include enhanced pre-school education and child care facilities;

(iii)      that the delineated area for the new denominational primary school serving Inverkip and Wemyss Bay be, from December 2005, as shown in Appendix 2 of the consultative document;

(iv)     that the new denominational primary school serving Inverkip and Wemyss Bay be associated with St Columba's High School;

(v)      that St Ninian's Primary School be, from December 2005, redelineated as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultative document;

(vi)     that Inverkip Primary School be extended by 2 classrooms;

(vii)     that the delineated area for Inverkip Primary School is as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultative document;

(viii)    that the delineated area for Wemyss Bay Primary School is as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultative document;

(2)      that all interested parties, including School Boards, be asked to make written submissions to the Director of Education Services at 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock PA15 1HT no later than Friday 5 December 2003;

(3)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report on the results of the consultative process for consideration at a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

H. Provision of Secondary Education in Inverclyde

Decided:  that consideration of the provision of secondary education in Inverclyde be continued to a special meeting of the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee to be held on Thursday 13 November 2003.