Removal of the Learning Resource Base provision from Llanwern High School
Newport City Council has consulted on the following proposal:
To permanently remove the Learning Resource Base provision currently at Llanwern High School with effect from January 2018.
Download the Report to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills (pdf)
Download the associated Decision Schedule (pdf)
Download the Fairness and Equality Impact Assessment (pdf)
Consultation
The consultation ran from Monday 10 July to Sunday 24 September 2017 and is now closed.
The consultation gave an opportunity for people to learn about the proposal, ask questions and make comments that have been recorded and summarised in a consultation report (pdf).
The consultation involved two drop-in sessions with those most directly affected by the proposal, where council officers explained the proposals in more detail and answered any questions.
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Location
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Date and time
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Llanwern High School, Hartridge Farm Road, Newport, NP18 2YE
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Thursday 13 July 2017, 10am - 12pm
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Civic Centre, Newport, NP20 4UR
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Tuesday 12 September 2017, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
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Download the letter to stakeholders (pdf)
Download the full formal consultation document (pdf)
Download the everyday summary version of the consultation document (pdf)
The consultation response pro-forma (pdf) was available at the drop-in sessions.
Responses made during the consultation were counted as adverse comments rather than objections as objections to a proposal can only be registered following the publication of a statutory notice, which is the second stage in the proposal.
The consultation closed at midnight, Sunday 24 September 2017
The proposal
The proposal concerns the formal closure of the Learning Resource Base (LRB) hosted at Llanwern High School.
As part of the budget determinations for the 2017/2018 financial year, Newport City Council’s Cabinet took a decision to withdraw the funding associated with the provision.
This supported the strategy that individual pupil needs could be better met at more inclusive Additional Learning Needs (ALN) settings within mainstream host schools, and would also reduce the significant operational running costs of the current provision.
Some of the existing pupil cohort is already due to move into mainstream education by September 2017, and alternative small group placements in mainstream host schools are being considered for the remaining pupils from the same date.
This will result in the LRB being declared empty from the start of the 2017/18 academic year, pending a decision on permanent closure.
Permanently closing the provision from January 2018 will enable the classroom space currently used for the LRB to be brought back into mainstream use.
Potentially, this could result in additional capacity and an increased Published Admission Number (PAN) for the school to assist in meeting demand for secondary school places across the city.
This proposal also supports and promotes inclusion as pupils will now be taught in a mainstream environment, rather than a small provision, with additional support and increased outreach services from the Pupil Referral Unit being provided where appropriate to meet the specific needs of individual pupils.
Consultation report
Download the consultation report (pdf) which summarises the consultation process, stakeholder engagement, the comments received and the council’s responses.
Publication of statutory proposal
The Cabinet Member (CM) for Education and Skills has considered all views expressed and responses received during the formal consultation process and has decided to proceed with the proposal.
Download the Report to the CM for Education and Skills (pdf)
Download the updated Fairness and Equality Impact Assessment (pdf)
Download the associated Decision Schedule (pdf)
A Statutory Notice (pdf) was published 6 November 2017 for a period of 28 days.
Any objections to this proposal were sent to the Education Service Development Manager, Newport City Council, Room 425W, Civic Centre, Newport NP20 4UR by Monday 4 December 2017.
Determination
The council received one objection to the proposal during the statutory notice stage and an objection report (pdf) has been produced accordingly.
As an objection was received, the final decision will be taken by the council's Cabinet.
Final decision
The council’s Cabinet has now met and agreed to implement the proposal to permanently remove the Learning Resource Base provision currently at Llanwern High School with effect from April 2018.
Download the Report to the Cabinet Member for Education and Young People (pdf)
Download the associated Decision Schedule (pdf)
Download the Fairness and Equality Impact Assessment (pdf)
Download the final decision notification letter (pdf)