Agenda item

Councillor P. Hughes-Griffiths had earlier declared a personal interest in this item and left the meeting during its consideration and determination.

Councillor G.O. Jones (Executive Board Member for Education & Children) had earlier declared a personal interest in this item and left the meeting during its consideration and determination.

The Committee considered a proposal to discontinue Bancffosfelen CP School and initiate formal consultation on the proposal during the Summer Term 2016. It was informed that should a decision to consult be approved by the Executive Board, this would be followed by the submission of a report to both the Education & Children Scrutiny Committee and the Executive Board at the end of the statutory consultation period.

Members were informed that the Authority had a legal responsibility to review the number and type of schools it had in an area and whether or not it was making the best use of resources and facilities to deliver the opportunities that children deserved. In recent years Bancffosfelen Primary School has seen a steady decline in pupil numbers from 48 pupils on roll in January 2011, to 35 pupils on roll in January 2016, resulting in 64% surplus places at the school. Since the departure of the head teacher at Easter 2014, there had not been a permanent head teacher employed at the school although there was an informal arrangement between the Governing Bodies of Pontyberem and Bancffosfelen for part time cover (0.2) to be provided by the Head Teacher of Pontyberem CP School.

Members noted that it was the Education & Children Department’s view that the current arrangements did not represent a sound, stable educational model or the best use of resources. In addition, the Department considered that from an educational perspective, having such a small number of pupils made it extremely difficult for the school to deliver the breadth and depth of curricular and social experiences which pupils of this age required to fully develop.

The Committee also noted that the item included a response to the proposal from the Governing Body of Bancffosfelen in the form of a bilingual report which had been included for members’ consideration.

The School Modernisation Manager informed the Committee that to date, 23 letters objecting to the proposed closure of the school had been received. The Director of Education & Children also confirmed that he had received the petition presented by Friends of the School, prior to the commencement of the meeting. 

The following comments were made during consideration of the report:

It was proposed that as with the situation in Llanedi, the Committee undertake visits to Bancffosfelen and Pontyberem Schools prior to making any recommendations to the Executive Board. The Committee agreed to the proposals.

It was suggested that should the Council decide to close the school, it should consider allocating the catchment to other neighbouring schools, if closer for pupils. In light of this, it was also suggested that the Committee visit Ysgol Y Fro in Llangyndeyrn as well as Llanddarog School, as both were in the immediate area and might be affected by any closure of Bancffosfelen School. The Committee agreed to this proposal.

The proposals presented (as part of the report) by the School Governing Body were welcomed especially as local parents and governors were proposing alternative options to closing a school. It was suggested that the governors and other stakeholders connected with the school be afforded the opportunity to build upon their initial proposals by developing a detailed business plan to describe how they would achieve their vision for the school, especially the funding aspects. It was felt that there were different issues that needed to be clarified in more detail and that the business case needed to be watertight. It was proposed that this presentation be received by the Committee prior to it making any recommendations to the Executive Board. The Committee agreed to the proposal.

Reference was made to the number of pupils attending the school but living in the Pontyberem catchment area which it felt undermined the figures presented in the report. It was suggested that as with the Llanedi proposal, further information was required by the Committee for it to make informed recommendations. 

The Committee UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: 

7.1       That the report be noted.

7.2       That prior to making any recommendations to the Executive Board regarding the future of the school, the Committee receives a presentation from Bancffosfelen School’s Governing Body on its proposal to establish a community charitable trust and re-categorise Bancffosfelen as a voluntary aided school.

7.3       That prior to making any recommendations to the Executive Board regarding the future of the school, the Committee undertakes visits to Bancffosfelen, Pontyberem, Y Fro and Llanddarog schools.