The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) (England) Regulations 2007

Regulation 14

SCHEDULE 4 MATTERS TO BE SPECIFIED IN SECTION 15 PROPOSALS TO DISCONTINUE A SCHOOL

Contact details

1.  The name of the local education authority or governing body publishing the proposals, and a contact address, and the name of the school it is proposed that should be discontinued.

Implementation

2.  The date when it is planned that the proposals will be implemented, or where the proposals are to be implemented in stages, information about each stage and the date on which each stage is planned to be implemented.

Consultation

3.  A statement to the effect that all applicable statutory requirements to consult in relation to the proposals were complied with.

4.  Evidence of the consultation before the proposals were published including—

(a) a list of persons and/or parties who were consulted;

(b) minutes of all public consultation meetings;

(c) the views of the persons consulted; and

(d) copies of all consultation documents and a statement of how these were made available.

Objectives

5.  The objectives of the proposal.

Standards and Diversity

6.  A statement and supporting evidence indicating how the proposals will impact on the standards, diversity and quality of education in the area.

Provision for 16 -19 year olds

7.  Where the school proposed to be discontinued provides sixth form education, how the proposals will impact on—

(a) the educational or training achievements;

(b) participation in education or training; and

(c) the range of educational or training opportunities,

for 16-19 year olds in the area.

Need for places

8.  A statement and supporting evidence about the need for places in the area including whether there is sufficient capacity to accommodate displaced pupils.

9.  Where the school has a religious character, a statement about the impact of the proposed closure on the balance of denominational provision in the area and the impact on parental choice.

Current School Information

10.  Information as to the numbers, age range, sex and special educational needs of pupils (distinguishing between boarding and day pupils) for whom provision is made at the school.

Displaced Pupils

11.  Details of the schools or further education colleges which pupils at the school for whom provision is to be discontinued will be offered places, including—

(a) any interim arrangements;

(b) where the school included provision that is recognised by the local education authority as reserved for children with special educational needs, the alternative provision to be made for pupils in the school’s reserved provision; and

(c) in the case of special schools, alternative provision made by local education authorities other than the authority which maintains the school.

12.  Details of any other measures proposed to be taken to increase the number of school or further education college places available in consequence of the proposed discontinuance.

Impact on the Community

13.  A statement and supporting evidence about the impact on the community and any measures proposed to mitigate any adverse impact.

14.  Details of extended services the school offered and what it is proposed for these services once the school has discontinued.

Travel

15.  Details of length and journeys to alternative provision.

16.  The proposed arrangements for travel of displaced pupils to other schools including how they will help to work against increased car use.

Related Proposals.

17.  A statement as to whether in the opinion of the local education authority or governing body, the proposals are related to any other proposals which may have been, are, or are about to be published.

Rural Primary Schools

18.  Where proposals relate to a rural primary school designated as such by an order made for the purposes of section 15, a statement that the local education authority or the governing body (as the case may be) considered—

(a) the likely effect of discontinuance of the school on the local community;

(b) the availability, and likely cost to the local education authority, of transport to other schools;

(c) any increase in the use of motor vehicles which is likely to result from the discontinuance of the school, and the likely effects of any such increase; and

(d) any alternatives to the discontinuance of the school,

as required by section 15(4).

Maintained nursery schools

19.  Where proposals relate to the discontinuance of a maintained nursery school, a statement setting out—

(a) the consideration that has been given to developing the school into a children’s centre and the grounds for not doing so;

(b) the body’s assessment of the quality and quantity of the alternative provision compared to the school proposed to be discontinued and the proposed arrangements to ensure the expertise and specialism continues to be available; and

(c) the accessibility and convenience of replacement provision for local parents.

Special educational provision

20.  Where existing provision for pupils with special educational needs is being discontinued, a statement as to how the local education authority or the governing body believes the proposal is likely to lead to improvements in the standard, quality and/or range of the educational provision for these children.