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.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward or a significant community;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Decision due: 12 Mar 2012 by Cabinet
Lead director: Clive Webster
Department: Children's Services and Learning Portfolio
Contact: Email: karl.limbert@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8091 7596.
Consultation process
The consultation methods involved:
· A widely advertised Public Consultation Meeting held at Saint George Catholic VA College (advertised at every primary and junior school in the city, Catholic parishes, Central Library, our college website, invitations to all current parents and parents at the six feeder schools and all Southampton City Councillors were personally invited)
· Individual meetings and drop-ins at the six Catholic feeder primary schools
· Views could be submitted by email and by post – an information leaflet and response form were created especially
· Information was available at the school Open Evening and Open Morning
· Specific meetings were held with Portsmouth Catholic Diocese and the Trustees of Saint George Catholic VA College, the Governing Body of Saint George Catholic VA College, all staff of Saint George Catholic VA College, Southampton Local Education Authority
· On 3rd January 2012 a statutory notice was published in the Daily Echo and Hampshire Chronicle and at the school entrance. Copies were also sent to Southampton Central Library (for publication), to the DfE and to the Local Authority.
Consultees
Pre-statutory consultation was carried out between 05/09/11 – 21/10/11 and statutory consultation between 03/01/12 – 14/02/2012 The following groups were consulted with:
· The Governing Body of Saint George Catholic VA College
· Both the Portsmouth Catholic Diocese and the Portsmouth Church of England Diocese
· Trustees of Saint George Catholic VA College
· The families of pupils at Saint George Catholic VA College
· Teachers and other staff at Saint George Catholic VA College
· Southampton’s and Hampshire’s Local Education Authority
· Teachers, staff and the families of pupils at any other school who may be affected by the proposals including the families of pupils at St George’s six Catholic feeder primary schools
· Trade unions
· MPs and Councillor’s in Southampton
Public Comments may be sent to: Saint George Catholic VA College Consultation, Infrastructure, Children's Services & Learning, Southampton City Council, 3rd Floor Southbrook Rise, Millbrook Road East, Southampton, SO15 1YG By 14th February 2012 http://www.st-george.southampton.sch.uk/school/pages/college_information/Our%20future%20as%20a%20mixed%20school.html