Education and Lifelong Learning Committee

Wednesday 19 January 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, McKenzie, Mitchell, Robertson, Snoddy, Tucker and White, Father T Boyle, Rev W Armstrong 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 Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Head of Service (Support for Learning), Head of Service (Pre-five and Children’s Services), Head of Service (SEN and IT), Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services, Property Services Manager and Head of Transportation & Roads Service.

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

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VENUE OF MEETING

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Prior to the commencement of business, Councillor Robertson moved that the meeting take place within Greenock Town Hall.  As an amendment, Councillor Mitchell moved that the meeting take place as scheduled within the Council Chambers.  On a vote, 8 Members voted for the motion and 9 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the meeting take place within the Council Chambers.

The following paragraph is submitted for confirmation or otherwise.

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THE FUTURE PROVISION OF EDUCATION IN INVERCLYDE:  RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS ON SECONDARY EDUCATION

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services (1) providing information on the statutory consultation exercise relating to the future provision of secondary education in Inverclyde carried out during October and November 2004, (2) highlighting issues and themes raised during the consultation and the implications which these have for the original proposals and (3) seeking approval of the recommendations made in respect of each of the three consultative documents along with general recommendations made in respect of all of the documents.

During the course of discussions, Councillor White asked on behalf of himself and Councillor Hunter that their request that there be no net loss of football pitches as a result of the construction of a new secondary school at the Ravenscraig Pitches site and that any facilities lost be replaced at the existing Greenock High School be noted.

Provost Rebecchi also requested that it be minuted that he would wish there to be a review of the catchment areas for all primary and secondary schools within Inverclyde.

Following discussion Councillor Mitchell moved the following:

(A) The Provision of Non-Denominational Secondary Education Across Gourock High School and Greenock Academy

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That the following proposals be endorsed:-

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(a)      that a new non-denominational secondary school with a capacity of 950 be built on the site of the existing St Columba’s High School to replace Gourock High School and Greenock Academy, for completion around August 2010;

(b)      that Gourock High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake be capped at 100 at December 2007;

(c)      that Greenock Academy’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake be capped at 80 at December 2007;

(d)      that Gourock High School formally close in June 2010 and the pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(e)      that Greenock Academy formally close in June 2010 and pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(f)       that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2009;

(g)      that the pupils attending Moorfoot Primary School, Gourock Primary School and Ardgowan Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2009;

(h)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report for a future Education and Lifelong Learning Committee that extends the delineated area of the new school into the neighbourhood around the school;  and

(i)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period.

(B) The Provision of Denominational Secondary Education Across Inverclyde

That the following proposals be endorsed:-

(a)      that a new denominational secondary school of 1200 capacity be built on the site of the existing Notre Dame High School to replace St Columba’s High School and Notre Dame High School, for completion around August 2010;

(b)      that Notre Dame High School formally close in June 2010 and pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(c)      that St Columba’s High School formally close in June 2010 and the pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(d)      that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2009;

(e)      that Notre Dame High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 7 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake capped at 100 at December 2007;

(f)       that St Columba’s High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 8 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake capped at 140 at December 2007;

(g)      that the pupils attending St Kenneth’s Primary School and St Laurence’s Primary School be associated with St Stephen’s High School from December 2007;

(h)      that the pupils attending St Patrick's Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary School, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St Ninian’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2009;

(i)       that St Stephen’s High School be refurbished by 2013 with the first phase of the refurbishment being undertaken by August 2008;

(j)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period and

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particularly in preparation for the temporary decants to Wellington Academy and Greenock High School buildings;  and

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(k)      that it be agreed that an assessment be undertaken of the accommodation requirements at Wellington Academy and Greenock High School in relation to the temporary transfer and that a report outlining the phased Óprogramme of accommodation works be prepared for a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

(C) The Siting and Primary School Associations of the New School to be Built to Replace Greenock High School and Wellington Academy

That the following proposals be endorsed:-

(a)      that the new non-denominational secondary school with a capacity of 1100 to replace Greenock High School and Wellington Academy be built on the site of the Ravenscraig Pitches for completion around March 2008;

(b)      that Wellington Academy’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(c)      that Greenock High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(d)      that Greenock High School formally close in June 2007 and pupils transfer to the new school on its completion;

(e)      that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 6 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(f)       that the combined intake to Wellington Academy and Greenock High School be capped at 200 in December 2006;

(g)      that the pupils attending King’s Glen Primary School and Oakfield Primary School be associated with Port Glasgow High School from December 2006;

(h)      that the pupils attending Highlander’s Academy, Overton Primary School, Lady Alice Primary School, Earnhill Primary School, Ravenscraig Primary School, Inverkip Primary School and Wemyss Bay Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2006;

(i)       that Port Glasgow High School be refurbished by 2013;  and

(j)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period.

(D) Decisions Affecting All Schools

(a)      that the submissions and comments received from parents, school board members and other interested parties in response to the statutory consultation exercise be noted;

(b)      that the key themes and issues raised during the consultation process be noted;

(c)      that the final decisions be incorporated within the Council’s Estate Management Plan and the Outline Business Case and that these be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(d)      that the Director of Education Services continue the programme of communication with pupils, parents, school boards, teachers and the wider community regarding progress made and the programme planned to renew and refurbish the School Estate;

(e)      that the Chief Executive continue to review the position regarding potential sites for secondary schools which may become available, taking action as appropriate and reporting thereon to the Committee, provided the timescales for availability of any alternative sites do not prejudice the agreed proposals and timescales for secondary schools and that all consultation and other requirements can be satisfied.

As an amendment, Councillor Robertson moved:-

(a)      that officers submit detailed proposals for the construction of a new St Stephen’s

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High School either on the site of the existing campus or on another suitable site;

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(b)      that Notre Dame High School be retained within its existing catchment area and comprehensively refurbished;

(c)      that St Columba’s High School remain open and a further review be undertaken within five years and that in the meantime provision be made within the Council’s Schools Estate Strategy for the comprehensive refurbishment and remodelling of the school;û

(d)      that Port Glasgow High School be retained within its existing catchment area and comprehensively refurbished;

(e)      that officers submit proposals for the merger of (i) Wellington Academy with Greenock Academy and (ii) Greenock High School with Gourock High School, that the combined schools retain their existing primary associations and that there be a review of all catchment areas within Inverclyde; and

(f)       that the Cross Party Working Group be reconstituted to examine the proposals and that in addition to Elected Member representation, there be representation by school boards, head teachers and teachers.

On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

DECIDED:

(A) The Provision of Non-Denominational Secondary Education Across Gourock High School and Greenock Academy

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(a)      that a new non-denominational secondary school with a capacity of 950 be built on the site of the existing St Columba’s High School to replace Gourock High School and Greenock Academy, for completion around August 2010;

(b)      that Gourock High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 3 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake be capped at 100 at December 2007;

(c)      that Greenock Academy’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake be capped at 80 at December 2007;

(d)      that Gourock High School formally close in June 2010 and the pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(e)      that Greenock Academy formally close in June 2010 and pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(f)       that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2009;

(g)      that the pupils attending Moorfoot Primary School, Gourock Primary School and Ardgowan Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2009;

(h)      that the Director of Education Services prepare a report for a future Education and Lifelong Learning Committee that extends the delineated area of the new school into the neighbourhood around the school;  and

(i)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period.

(B) The Provision of Denominational Secondary Education Across Inverclyde

(a)      that a new denominational secondary school of 1200 capacity be built on the site of the existing Notre Dame High School to replace St Columba’s High School and Notre Dame High School, for completion around August 2010;

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(b)      that Notre Dame High School formally close in June 2010 and pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

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(c)      that St Columba’s High School formally close in June 2010 and the pupils transfer to the new school in August 2010 or on completion of the new school;

(d)      that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2009;

(e)      that Notre Dame High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 7 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake capped at 100 at December 2007;

(f)       that St Columba’s High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 8 of the consultation document from December 2007 and its intake capped at 140 at December 2007;

(g)      that the pupils attending St Kenneth’s Primary School and St Laurence’s Primary School be associated with St Stephen’s High School from December 2007;

(h)      that the pupils attending St Patrick's Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Sacred Heart Primary School, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St Ninian’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2009;

(i)       that St Stephen’s High School be refurbished by 2013 with the first phase of the refurbishment being undertaken by August 2008;

(j)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period and particularly in preparation for the temporary decants to Wellington Academy and Greenock High School buildings;  and

(k)      that it be agreed that an assessment be undertaken of the accommodation requirements at Wellington Academy and Greenock High School in relation to the temporary transfer and that a report outlining the phased programme of accommodation works be prepared for a future meeting of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.

(C) The Siting and Primary School Associations of the New School to be Built to Replace Greenock High School and Wellington Academy

(a)      that the new non-denominational secondary school with a capacity of 1100 to replace Greenock High School and Wellington Academy be built on the site of the Ravenscraig Pitches for completion around March 2008;

(b)      that Wellington Academy’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 4 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(c)      that Greenock High School’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 5 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(d)      that Greenock High School formally close in June 2007 and pupils transfer to the new school on its completion;

(e)      that the new school’s catchment area be delineated as shown in Appendix 6 of the consultation document from December 2006;

(f)       that the combined intake to Wellington Academy and Greenock High School be capped at 200 in December 2006;

(g)      that the pupils attending King’s Glen Primary School and Oakfield Primary School be associated with Port Glasgow High School from December 2006;

(h)      that the pupils attending Highlander’s Academy, Overton Primary School, Lady Alice Primary School, Earnhill Primary School, Ravenscraig Primary School, Inverkip Primary School and Wemyss Bay Primary School be associated with the new school from December 2006;

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(i)       that Port Glasgow High School be refurbished by 2013;  and

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(j)       that to support the implementation of the proposals, the Committee approve the provision of additional teaching and support staff throughout the transition period.

(D) Decisions Affecting All Schools

(a)      that the submissions and comments received from parents, school board members and other interested parties in response to the statutory consultation exercise be noted;

(b)      that the key themes and issues raised during the consultation process be noted;

(c)      that the final decisions be incorporated within the Council’s Estate Management Plan and the Outline Business Case and that these be submitted to the Scottish Executive;«

(d)      that the Director of Education Services continue the programme of communication with pupils, parents, school boards, teachers and the wider community regarding progress made and the programme planned to renew and refurbish the School Estate;

(e)      that the Chief Executive continue to review the position regarding potential sites for secondary schools which may become available, taking action as appropriate and reporting thereon to the Committee, provided the timescales for availability of any alternative sites do not prejudice the agreed proposals and timescales for secondary schools and that all consultation and other requirements can be satisfied.