IN THIS DOCUMENT I outline a possible change in the way Marham, Airfield First School and Marham First and Middle School are organised as a basis for discussion.

No decisions about any options have been taken yet.

All parents of children at Marham, Airfield First School and Marham First and Middle school were sent a letter in May which explained that a proposal for schools in the Swaffham area, including the two schools serving Marham was to be discussed at the Executive (Education) committee on 17^th May.

The committee discussed these proposals and decided that the County Council should not consult about the options for all schools in the Swaffham area unless a way can be found to fund any building work that might be required.

However, the expected increase in pupil numbers at Marham is a particular issue that needs to be managed. The committee recognised this and has decided to consult with you about a possible option for change at the two Marham schools to accommodate this growth. The decision to begin this consultation is the only decision taken so far.

Please consider this document and let me have your views and comments.

Bryan Slater

Director of Education:

Norfolk's review of the way schools are organised began in 1998 and looks at the structure of schools around the County:

• working area by area,
• giving highest priority where there is dual age of transfer to high school,
• not seeking to save money but to use it more effectively,
• focusing on educational quality for children,
• matching school structure and the national curriculum.

We have used the following principles:

1. The review should improve educational opportunities and effectiveness

This is because the County Council is committed to raising the levels of educational achievement of young people in Norfolk.

 

 

2. The transfer of children between schools should line up with National Curriculum Key Stages.

This is because in some parts of Norfolk, children transfer to the same high school at different ages and this can cause real difficulties of organisation and curriculum continuity. Where first and middle schools exist there is a mismatch between the end of key stages at ages 7 and 11 and transfer at ages 8 and 12.

 

 

3. Any resources released by re-organisation should be used to improve educational standards.

This is because the review is not about saving money. If, by spending money more wisely, this can contribute to raising levels of educational achievement then such change must be considered.

 

 

 

 

 

4. The full contribution of small rural schools to their communities should be considered.

This is because we want children to be able to attend a school locally and recognise and value the contribution that our village primary schools make to rural life. One of the best ways of ensuring this is to encourage and support co-operative arrangements between village schools and to encourage local children to attend them.

 

 

5. Opportunities for enhanced community learning facilities in the area should be considered.

This is because with parents and schools working together we can improve educational continuity for children and develop learning opportunities for adults and young people. We want to make the best use of school facilities and one way to do this is by looking at early years, adult education and other community involvement opportunities in schools

 

 

6. The LEA, in partnership with schools, must plan to manage its assets, matching the need for school places with suitable provision.

This is because all pupils should be accommodated in permanent accommodation where pupil numbers prove that there is a long-term need.

Detailed below are possible changes, by phase, for schools in the Swaffham Area.

• Pupils continue to transfer at aged 12 instead of at the beginning of keystage 3.
• Curriculum continuity and progression requires detailed liaison at keystage 3.
• There are no additional accommodation requirements.

1. Transfer to High School at age 11.

Some key issues associated with this option for the Swaffham area:

• Children start high school at the beginning of keystage 3
• Enables improved curriculum continuity, planning and liaison.
• Has the potential to strengthen village schools.
• Requires extra accommodation at the High School.

• Retains 12+ transfer to high school.
• Does not improve curriculum continuity.
• No additional costs.

1. All through primary schools in the Swaffham area

Some key issues associated with this option for the Swaffham Area

• Provides transfer to the High School at 11+.
• Brings transfer in line with National Curriculum Key Stages.
• Improved curriculum continuity.
• Site constraints make amalgamation of first and middle schools difficult.
• Modifications required to village first schools to make primary schools.

In considering these ways of organising schools in the Swaffham area, the option preferred by Norfolk County Council Executive (Education) committee is for the high school to admit pupils aged 11. Then, where possible, to create all through 5-11 primary schools in the area. Where site constraints prevent the creation of a primary school by amalgamating paired first and middle schools, these would be replaced with paired infant and junior schools.

The resources required for this option are considerable and are not currently available. Considerable expansion totalling over £500,000 would be required at the High School and extensive remodelling of primary phase schools in the area would also be required.

The County Council is currently working with the DfEE to find funding opportunities to enable it to proceed to consultation on this and any other possible options for improving the organisation of schools in the Swaffham area. If such funding becomes available there would be full consultation on the options before any decision could be made about any possible changes in the organisation of schools in Swaffham.

There is a more immediate need in the Marham area. This is because of the increased numbers in pupils at both Marham Airfield First School and Marham First and Middle resulting from planned RAF family movements. This will put considerable strain on the current organisation. Pupil numbers at the High School will also increase.

We consulted you earlier in the year about changes that could be made at the Marham Schools to better place them to meet this challenge. Towards the end of that consultation the difficulties of making change across the Swaffham area became clear. This is why we have decided to consult with you again now about options to manage this growth.

Issues associated with this option:

• First school education at the first and middle school remains difficult to deliver because of small numbers of younger pupils.
• Managing growth in numbers at a combined First and Middle school is difficult where the middle and infant parts of the school are different sizes.
• Children aged 5-8 who currently attend Marham First and Middle School would not have to travel to the Airfield First school.

• Children from Marham would have to travel to the first school.
• Increasing pupil numbers can be managed more effectively.
• Each school would be able to concentrate on a larger group of children of similar ages.
• The issues caused by age of transfer not being at the end of a keystage would remain.
• This is an interim arrangement pending wider review in the Swaffham area

In coming to a decision about any of these options, County Councillors will want to take account of:

1. The original reasons for the review

The original reasons for the review are set out earlier in this document. The key issue is the improvement of school standards.

 

 

2. The comments that have been made through the consultation process

Your comments are very important.

We hope that you will use the reply paid envelope or Freepost address to send in your comments. The form will help to structure your comments but you may send supplementary pages if you need to.

All responses will be summarised in a report for the September meeting of the County Council Executive (Education) committee. A file of all responses made will be available for inspection by County Councillors.

Norfolk County Council will not make any decisions until September. When it meets in September it will decide whether or not to publish statutory notices about a proposal for change.

If change is proposed, this is followed by a two month period for objections and then scrutiny of the proposal by an independent School Organisation Committee.

If change is agreed by January 2001 it could be achieved in September 2001.

We want to hear your views on the the best way to manage the projected growth in pupil numbers in Marham schools. A public consultation meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 5^th July at 7 pm at Marham First and Middle School.

Whether you attend the meeting or not your views are important, so please use the space below to set out your views and return them by 12 noon on 31^st July to the address below.

1. Which option do you prefer as the best means of managing increasing pupil numbers?

2. If there is another option that you would like to put forward, please describe it here

3. Please write any comments you have or questions you would like to ask here. Please continue overleaf if you wish.

We intend to acknowledge receipt of comments and will endeavour to answer questions where we can. Please tell us who you are:

Your name

Your Address

Do you have a child in a Marham School, if so, which one?

Please return to using the reply paid envelope provided. If the envelope is missing please post to:

Norfolk County Council

FREEPOST

IP 2076

Martineau Lane

NORWICH

NR1 2BR