Decision details

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning seeking a decision from Cabinet in accordance with statutory School Organisation procedures in regard to a proposal brought forward by Saint George Catholic VA College Southampton to change its current status as a single-sex boys’ school to a mixed-sex school for both boys and girls from September 2013. 

This matter has been submitted to the Council for decision and follows pre-statutory (September/October 2011) and statutory (January/February 2012) consultation periods. The proposals are supported by the college governors and the Diocese of Portsmouth.  The proposers are seeking approval to implement these proposals. 

(i)  To consider and take into account the outcome of stakeholder consultation, as set out in Appendices 2 and 6.

(ii)  Having had regard to the statutory decision makers guidance and the legal implications under the Equality Act 2010 set out in Confidential Appendix 7, to approve the prescribed alteration to Saint George Catholic VA College by changing the character of the school from a single sex boys school to a mixed school by admitting both boys and girls to year 7 from 1^st September 2013.

(iii)  To grant a Transitional Exemption Order in relation to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (the ‘SDA’) for a period of four years from the date of implementation of the proposals to allow for the change from single sex to co-educational to be phased, as set out in the published proposals.