Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions, and Officer responses, were noted.

The exempt appendix was noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the outcomes of the informal stage of consultation and Equality Impact Analysis.

2.    To agree to publish a Statutory Notice and Proposal for the closure of Raine’s Foundation Trust School;

3.    Agree to proceed to the next stage of the statutory consultation by publishing the Notice in order to initiate the Statutory Representation Period to run from 4^th November to 2^nd December 2019.

4.    To note that further proposals are being developed with respect to the potential expansion of Oaklands School.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN AND CULTURE (D. JONES)

(Service Head, Pupil Services and School Sufficiency (T. Bryan)

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Young People, introduced the report on the recent public consultation in respect of the potential closure of Raine’s School and also on the possible expansion of Oaklands School.

He highlighted the reasons which had been set out which demonstrated the viability concerns in respect of Raines School and also described the efforts of the Council to support the school over recent years. The number of pupils was reducing with a direct impact on the financial viability of the school and in addition exam results were below Tower Hamlets averages. The report was therefore recommending that the most appropriate course of action would be to proceed to the statutory consultation in respect of potentially closing the school.

The Mayor opened the item up for discussion and noted a number of issues including:

·         That the Council was not expecting the Department for Education to intervene.

·         The Schools adjudicator had raised concerns over Council processes.

·         The need to ensure a good quality of education could be provided to all pupils and the need to offer greater opportunities for achievement.

·         Whether there were lessons to be learnt for future cases.

·         The role of the school governing body in supporting a school.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their contributions. He reported that he had carefully considered all the papers that had been set out including the detailed appendices.

He also confirmed he had considered the exempt appendices and agreed the reasons for exemption set out as they contained information which would identify individuals.

He noted the pre-decision scrutiny questions and officers responses.

Finally he agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the outcomes of the informal stage of consultation and Equality Impact Analysis.

2.    To agree to publish a Statutory Notice and Proposal for the closure of Raine’s Foundation Trust School;

3.    Agree to proceed to the next stage of the statutory consultation by publishing the Notice in order to initiate the Statutory Representation Period to run from 4^th November to 2^nd December 2019.

4.    To note that further proposals are being developed with respect to the potential expansion of Oaklands School.