Bosworth Wood and Kingfisher Schools
From Press Office on 23 September 2008
A decision into the future of Bosworth Wood Primary school and Kingfisher Primary school has been deferred to give other councillors an opportunity to review the report.
At his decision-making session last night, Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People, Cllr Ken Meeson, decided to refer the report to members of the relevant scrutiny board.
A review has been held into the future of the schools, due to the high levels of surplus places at both schools.
At January 2008, Bosworth Wood had 160 empty places – 38%. Kingfisher had 107, around 34% and this is expected to rise to 50% when the school moves into the £7m new building on its site as planned next year.
Both schools are seeing year on year, reduced admissions, and this has an effect on the budget, leading to mixed age classes and staffing reductions.
There are also concerns about standards of attainment and achievement at both schools.
The report contains recommendations for the future of the two schools.
Four options are listed. They are:
* doing nothing
* close both schools and replace with a new one – under new laws this would mean the Council having to invite other providers to establish a new school on its behalf, with the Council providing the building and finance. This would be a lengthy process, with a new school not being able to be established until 2010 at the earliest
* close Bosworth Wood School. Pupils would then be offered places at the new school currently being built on the Kingfisher site
* close Kingfisher Primary School – in this scenario, Bosworth Wood Primary would relocate and operate from the new school currently being built on the Kingfisher site. Children from Kingfisher school would be guaranteed places at the new school
Members of the Education, Children and Young People Scrutiny board will now review the report at their meeting on 2 October, and will then feedback to Cllr Meeson at his next meeting.
For media queries only - Angharad Lynch 0121 704 6164
Email: alynch@solihull.gov.uk