Purpose

To consider the outcome of the informal
consultation on amalgamation of Malorees Infant School (Community)
and Malorees Junior School (Foundation).

Content

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted
the comments and concerns raised by Patrick Martin (NEU
representative), Michael Cleary (staff representative) and Aidan
Reilly (local parent representative) in relation to the proposed
amalgamation of Malorees Infant & Junior School.  These included the lack of perceived benefit to
the school community arising from the amalgamation given the school
was already operating as a Federation with a single Governing Body
and senior leadership team along with the uncertainty over the
rebuild proposals and potential financial impact on the funding
available to the school moving forward, which it was pointed out
was already in deficit.
 
Whilst acknowledging the concerns highlighted,
Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council
following the apologies for absence received from Councillor Grahl)
took the opportunity to assure the school staff and parent
community that the approach being recommended did not include any
proposed redundancies or changes in the terms and conditions of
school staff; would retain Malorees as a community school and not
lead to the risk of academisation and had been designed to secure
access to DfE funding that would provide long overdue and
transformative infrastructure investment for the rebuilding of both
school buildings recognising the school as an important community
asset in Brondesbury Park.  In clarifying the funding reduction outlined in
the report, it was pointed out this reflected the move towards the
National Funding Formula, set by the DfE, with the Governing Body
together with Council commitment to securing the schools financial
resilience and confident of the plans in place to manage the
funding reduction without an impact on staff.
 
In recognising the offer extended by the
Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to meet with
NEU representatives in order to continue
discussions around the proposals moving forward Cabinet
RESOLVED:
 
(1)       
To approve a period of formal consultation, through publication of
a statutory notice, on proposals to:
 
(a)       
Close Malorees Junior School;
 
(b)       
Expand the age range of Malorees Infant School to admit children
aged between 3 – 11; and
 
(c)       
Change the name of Malorees Infant School to Malorees Primary
School
 
Eligible for call-in: Yes
 
Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on
Monday 14 April 25