Agenda item

To hear from James Robinson, Executive Head teacher, Bird in Bush School and to receive a report from Richard Hunter, Principal Advisor, Education, Learning and Achievement on amalgamation of Bird in Bush school.

The commission first heard from James Robinson, Executive Head teacher Bird in Bush School (BiB) on the following points

·  Initially the decision to amalgamate Camelot and Coburg in February 2023 met with hostility from parents. However, amalgamation was a success with a big number of children admitted to the new BiB school.

·  Key factor in this amalgamation was the strong strategic leadership from the council, other Local Authority (LA) community schools and head teachers facing falling school rolls need such leadership.

·  Negativity in media with regards to amalgamation, however this was clarified by inviting BBC to visit the school and meet pupils.

·  Establishment of a consistent staffing of teachers at BiB; School of 485 pupils.

The commission then heard from Richard Hunter, Principal Advisor on the following topics

·  Governors and Head teachers instrumental in implementing the amalgamation plan provided by LA; pragmatic approach was to amalgamate as improvements at Coburg school were identified with help of a new governance body at Coburg working in partnership with James.

·  Effective and strong governance; working with LA to provide constitutional support, timetabling of processes; providing quality education by retaining experienced staff.

The commission then asked questions on the following themes

·  Clarification on concerns for next academic year; support for staff not on permanent contracts during amalgamation; Communication and timing when contacting parents on amalgamations.

·  Moving governors from Coburg to Camelot (BiB); in contrast to BiB school amalgamation, improvement in processes for amalgamation of two other relatively well performing schools who are facing falling rolls

·  Impact on children as a result of amalgamation.

James explained to the commission that the Pupil Place Planning Board has informed BiB on the continuing trend of the falling pupil numbers from 58-60 pupils, per year group this year, to 40 pupils next year.

The commission learned from Richard and James that from Coburg all the 7 teachers and the full time permanent teaching support staff except 2 who chose not to, were moved over to Camelot. 75 % of teaching support staff on fixed term contracts were retained by Camelot and after 6 months they would be on permanent contracts. 

James informed the commission that governors on the interim executive board expedited the process for amalgamation by working with the council. Within the processes of amalgamation it is important that the period of 23 weeks is adhered to and amalgamation completed before the start of the academic year in September.

The commission learned from James that the existing governing body from Coburg was disbanded and a new Interim Executive Board was established with 3 governors from Coburg and one Chair of Governors (Juliette Young) for both schools, after the amalgamation all 3 governors were moved to the BiB governing body.

Richard explained to the commission that amalgamation of any two schools is not an easy process, it’s important that we consider the different ways that the two schools operate, the differences in the communities that they serve. Effective communication to parents is critical in explaining the different processes during amalgamation, the council is looking in great detail on communication within the strategy.

James explained to the commission that one of the key factors in working with schools is LA support and investment in schools, and regular conversations with head teachers and school leadership on the future of their schools. Southwark council’s commitment to investing, and encouraging messaging to schools showing support is essential during this period of falling rolls.

The commission heard from James that from a stronger financial stand point BiB has been able to offer children more provisions such as funding for Chinese New Year day; creating masks, music provision, physical education provisions. In addition Camelot school site has much better facilities in classrooms, playgrounds and sports.

Furthermore, children from Coburg school were brought over to Camelot with their teachers to play games on strike days, this gave teachers key insights and all decisions were made ensuring the needs of children are met.

Richard informed the commission that the council has taken learnings and experience from the impact that closures of school such as Townsend, Francesca Cabrini and St. Johns Walworth, have had on children especially in case of special needs children.