Minutes:
Carolyn Robson, Head Teacher, Rushey Mead School opened the discussion and welcomed people present to the meeting.
John Garratt, Head of Planning and Property, Children and Young People’s Services outlined the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) process. John stated that BSF was a massive investment programme across the country and represented the largest investment in education since Victorian times. It was hoped that, as a result of the BSF investment programme, a majority of schools could be modernised and modern methods of teaching could be implemented that would enable a lead to be gained in the world arena.
In Leicester a sum of £275 million had been negotiated from the Government to re-model a number of schools, including some specialist schools. There would not be enough funding to re-build every school in the City but some would and others would have limited work carried out.
As part of this work a new extension to Fullhurst Community College was opened in December and similar schemes underway at Beaumont Leys, Soar Valley and Judge Meadow were due to be opened in June 2009.
The Government had asked the City Council to re-write the business case that had been previously submitted and had questioned whether we were clear on our priorities. A Strategy for Change was currently being worked up and would be ready for consultation soon.
Rushey Mead School would be in the next phase of building work, with an anticipated start date during the winter of 2009/10. There were currently 1350 places at Rushey Mead School and some £9.5 million had been allocated to the project to provide some new buildings, modernise others and enable the removal of existing temporary buildings. A separate bid for £1 million had been submitted to make Rushey Mead School a model greener school in Leicester.
BSF was critical to Leicester as the Council had a 25year Plan in place, within which several priorities related to education and provision of facilities for children. The Plan also included reference to the provision of safer and sustainable communities, as well as wellbeing and health with an ability to access leisure facilities and an ability to learn beyond 16 years of age.
BSF was a partnership between the Government, the City Council and schools. The City Council decided the priorities and the allocation of funds, with the schools involved drawing up a list of their aspirations and expectations.
Carolyn Robson, Head Teacher, Rushey Mead School stated that when the school moved forward it needed to move from where it was now. The most recent OfSTED GCSE results had been most encouraging and the school had achieved a rate of improvement that exceeded County and City schools. The school had recently been awarded Higher Leadership School and national Support School status and would now be looking to help other schools.
BSF would give the school a chance to identify what it would like to see for the children and recent consultation had enabled staff, governors and some pupils a chance to design their vision of a new school.
Rushey Mead School had big ambitions and it was to be hoped that further ideas could come forward from the Community Meeting.
Questions
At this point questions were invited from the public present and the appropriate responses are shown.
i) “Is the BSF funding Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding, with an outside private company”.
John Garratt stated that the BSF funding was direct from the Government and did not involve outside private companies.
ii) “Were there any provisions in the BSF proposals for a Hindu based school.”
John Garratt stated that there were no proposals within the proposals submitted to the Government for other faith schools. The City Council did however have a duty to assist those who proposed to develop a faith school
Carolyn Robson stated that any discussions around the provision of a Hindu school would be outside the scope of the Community Meeting.
iii) “What proposals were there for Adult Classes at Rushey Mead School.”
Carolyn Robson stated that Rushey Mead School was not designated a Community College, unlike Soar Valley and Judgemeadow and therefore a comprehensive range of adult classes was not likely. The school did however offer a range of adult activities and within the BSF proposals childcare and crèche facilities would be made available.
iv) “What provision would be made for those pupils at exam stage whilst building works were underway.”
Carolyn Robson stated that it was anticipated that a phased building programme would be in place to ensure that there was minimal disruption. One of the first phases would be the re-building of the science laboratories.
v) “What strategies are in place for school placements.”
Carolyn Robson stated that this would be dependant on whether the school remained the same size, or expanded. Currently the school was at 1400 pupils and it was not envisaged that it would be smaller following BSF.
vi) “Will Rushey Mead School be developed as a 6th Form College.”
Carolyn Robson stated that there were no such plans as there were already several 6th Form Colleges within the City and it was clear that children seemed to be quite excited to be moving slightly out of the area to attend 6th Form Colleges or other further education establishments.
vii) “Rushey Mead School is a Sports and Science College, was it envisaged that when BSF works were complete, that there would be public use of the facilities at weekends.”
Carolyn Robson stated that this would not be possible under current legislation as any sessions provided had to QA checked, tutors had to be CRB checked and First Aid had to be available. The school was currently open until 10pm on term days for certain activities and supervised activities were also provided after school and at weekends, along with those offered at Soar Valley Community College. Should sufficient funding be available then a number of community facilities would be provided. Rushey Mead School would also have links with the new Gateway Community College being built at Hamilton.
viii) “Would there be a possibility of having a Youth Development Worker appointed at Rushey Mead School.”
Carolyn Robson stated that City Council Youth Development Workers had previously been based at Rushey Mead School and at Soar Valley, but it was now a question of ensuring that sufficient funding was in place to cover all costs of Youth Development Workers to be based here.
In concluding, Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer encouraged those present to complete the BSF Feedback forms that had been circulated prior to the meeting.