RDC(3) RRSWA10
Rural Development Sub-Committee
Inquiry into Reorganisation of Schools in Rural Wales
Response from The Ynys Môn Education, Health and Welfare Policy Overview Committee
The Ynys Môn Education, Health and Welfare Policy Overview Committee accepts that there is a need to rationalise the provision of school places in rural areas in response to the changing circumstances in respect of
reduction in pupil n
increase in surplus pla
decrease in available f
increase in costs, in particular in school management
headteachers’ recruitment prob
increase in the risk to standards in small schools
When considering school organisation, the needs of the pupils should be foremost.
The main purpose of schools is to educate children, but it has to be recognised that schools also provide a community service and, by now, in many communities, the school is the only community facility.
In considering provision of school places in rural areas, the first consideration is to ensure circumstances from the point of view of staffing, resources and buildings that enables the provision of education of the highest standard.
It is believed that a 4 class school is the smallest school which provides the appropriate circumstances - a school of 90 pupils in 4 two age group classes of approx 22 pupils each.
Even though it is believed that 90 should be the minimum number of pupils, there is no evidence that standards are lower in small schools. Estyn reports on small schools are very complimentary, but this is more as a result of the efforts of teachers and headteachers rather than the circumstances in small schools.
It is only when schools fall below 50 that cost per head is more than 125% of the average.
In schools with fewer than 50 pupils:
the demands on teachers’ specialisms are high
the demands on headteachers are high - class teachers + management
risk to standards are higher
cost per head are high
If rationalisation results in over 50 pupils being eligible for free home to school transport, the additional transport cost tend to be higher than the savings, and as fuel cost increase this is likely to be more the case.
Schools with fewer than 50 pupils are organised in 2 classes with 2 teachers. The 2 teachers have to provide specialisms in all the National Curriculum subjects + religious education, 4 age groups and a range of ability and language in the class
The Ynys Môn Education, Health and Welfare Policy Overview Committee is of the view that:
unless there are very exceptional circumstances, there is no justification to continue to maintain schools with fewer than 20 pupils. When schools fall below 20 pupils, they should be considered for closure or a rationalisation plan, that would result in an increase in pupil numbers in the school in question, should be considered.
The National Assembly should provide additional funding to local education authorities to maintain schools of under 50 pupils which satisfy firm agreed criteria, which means that they should be maintained, e.g.
schools, which, if they were closed would result in pupils of under 8 years old having to travel over 1 hour per day to the nearest school.
schools, which, if they were closed would result in the pupils having to attend a school which would be very different in language, culture and background.
schools, which provide the only community facilities within specific distance.
Schools, which at least 75% of the local children attend.
If an authority decides to continue to maintain a school of under 50 pupils, which does not meet the agreed criteria, no additional funding would be available to maintain such schools.
