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Issues and concerns raised by Stakeholders concerning the proposed changes to
The Federation of Eppleby Forcett and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary Schools (updated 24.3.15)
STAKEHOLDER QUERIES
GOVERNING BODY RESPONSES
FINANCIAL ISSUES:
1. If there is money to adapt EF for a pre school, why can’t that money be
used to build an extra classroom at MT?
1. Because of the number of children in catchment at MT (74; 60 of which
attend) the school would not be given funding for new builds.
2. What are the costs of adapting Eppleby to incorporate the younger
children?
2. Not all quotes have been tendered as yet. Any costs to adapt EF to
incorporate the Eppleby Forcett Preschool will be met by funding from a
number of sources and an Awards for All Grant may be applied for. The
Bursar is working closely with the Finance Committee and EHT.
CLOSING EPPLEBY FORCETT SCHOOL
1. Did the GB give due consideration to closing Eppleby?
24 March 2015
1. Yes. NYCC stated this was not an option at this point. A school only
closes when a GB could not set a budget, which meant a school was not
viable. EF has 2 years of movement in the budget which means it is quite
healthy. Mark Ashton from Strategic Planning has pointed to the credit
carry forward for EF, meaning that the school would not hit financial
difficulty for a couple of years as long as pupil numbers were sustained.
This might give time to allow the Federation to work through.
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Issues and concerns raised by Stakeholders concerning the proposed changes to
The Federation of Eppleby Forcett and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary Schools (updated 24.3.15)
NUMBERS/CAPACITY AND SPILT YEAR GROUP CLASSES
1. What is the lowest number of pupils for EF and MTyas to be viable?
1. This was being worked on by GB, EHT and Bursar.
2. What is the lowest number of pupils before we would end up having
split classes at MTyas again?
2. This is a work in progress. However, it is hoped this proposal will allow
the schools to have single year group classes across 2 sites.
3. What would be the impact if we only accepted children from within
MTyas catchment?
3. Potentially there are 74 children in catchment but not all attend MT.
About 60 of those pupils attend Middleton Tyas, with a larger number of
children travelling from outside catchment. Taking only from catchment
would have a considerable impact on the budget and the number of staff
that MT could afford.
TRANSPORT CONCERNS
1. What are the detailed costings of providing an extended bus service and
who would meet this cost?
1. Global figure: £9 to 11k per academic year, to add on to the existing
journey to and from Aldbrough St John. Exact figure is still to be
confirmed. Transport services are in discussion with Bursar and FGB.
2. Would the bus journey add time to the school day?
2. The GB acknowledge that there will be additional time on the bus.
However at some point the children would be nearer and further away
depending on where they live. Using the bus would be parental choice.
3. “We work in the opposite direction to Eppleby Forcett that means if
collection from school is needed during the school day it would be a
major problem for us.”
3. School would always work with parents in any exceptional
circumstances.
4. Young FS2/YR1 children being transported by bus
4. This would be parental choice but if there was a bus it would be
24 March 2015
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Issues and concerns raised by Stakeholders concerning the proposed changes to
The Federation of Eppleby Forcett and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary Schools (updated 24.3.15)
supervised. There would be drop off and pick-ups at either school
supervised by staff. A number of other schools/nurseries transport
young children.
Our parents choose our schools due to the high standard of leadership, teaching
and ethos of the school. We will work will parents to find solutions where
necessary.
FUTURE HEADTEACHER APPOINTMENTS
Q: What happens when the present EHT retires, & a new head is appointed who
doesn't have their eye on Eppleby as much & it becomes more isolated?
QUESTION RE EPPLEBY FORCETT FEDERATION CHOICES
Q: Why did EF not Federate with Melsonby or Barton? The other schools that
were cited as examples of a split site are in much more isolated areas (Reeth &
Gunnerside, for example) so parents don't have the choice EF or MTyas parents
do.
CONSULTING OR INFORMING
1. MTyas parents were informed, in writing, that there would be a consultation
process, but parents feel that it has been a process of informing rather than
consulting.
24 March 2015
A: The Executive Head Teacher has no plans to retire.
The GB would appoint a new Head who had a similar vision. It would be an
attractive option for any future Head, as rural primary schools nationally are
moving to Federations.
A: EF GB had carried out thorough view of their options and concluded
federating with MT was best for their children and partnership with MT was best
available model.
1. According to law, the GB Federation does not have to consult on the strategy.
However, the GB strongly feel that it is important to understand the views of
all the stakeholders so GB will continue to ask for comments etc during this
process.
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Issues and concerns raised by Stakeholders concerning the proposed changes to
The Federation of Eppleby Forcett and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary Schools (updated 24.3.15)
2. Will this proposal (split site schools) go ahead should MT parents strongly
disagree?
2. GB will continue to listen to the views of all parents and stakeholders and will
review all comments before making a definite decision.
3. “Whilst I appreciate that there is a need for urgency on the Eppleby side and
that the issues will be resolved by compromises on both sides. I feel that
perhaps we may have listened to one side more than the other.”
3. GB have no intention of giving preferential treatment to either group as their
responsibility was to ALL the children of the Federation. The GB is
approaching the changes in a measured and informed way. The existing
proposal would not be implemented until September 2016.
4. A number of new/prospective parents ring or ask about the arrangements
on a regular basis.
CONCERN:
Q: SPLIT YEAR GROUP CLASSES AT MTYAS.
4. All prospective and new parents will be sent a copy of all relevant
information as a matter of course to keep them abreast of progress.
STAFF CONCERNS
Q: Staff have worries about redundancy/possible professional isolation.
SPLIT SITES - CONCERN
1. “The split site would mean that the younger children would be separated
from their older peers, missing out on important social skills that being
schooled with older children brings.”
24 March 2015
A: The GB has listened to parents regarding their on-going concerns regarding
split year groups, as they appreciate it is a problem for some parents. GB has
been constantly advised that there is no evidence that split classes is a problem
re teaching children, although they appreciate the social/pastoral issues. Hence a
move to create single year group classes in the future.
A: Retaining the best staff to teach our children Is key, as is supporting them
professionally. Funding is dictated by pupil numbers. Providing a high quality
school attracts pupils, which in turn allows us to attract high calibre staff.
1. This would be for just 1 (FS2) or possibly 2 years (Yr1). If the move (as is
locally and nationally becoming more common) is to extend the intake from
FS1 (aged 3+), having the children in the same setting from age 3 would be a
definite bonus academically. Then they would transition to the larger site at
the end of FS2 or end of Year 1. On the Early Years site there would be older
and younger children who could support each other.
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Issues and concerns raised by Stakeholders concerning the proposed changes to
The Federation of Eppleby Forcett and Middleton Tyas Church of England Primary Schools (updated 24.3.15)
2. “Why is my second child not going to be in the same school as his brother in
September 2015?”
2. The current plans propose that from September 2016 FS2 will be taught at
the Eppleby site not 2015.
3. How will the KS2 EFs children be integrated into MTS? What is the
timescale?
3. Senior staff from both schools were asked to provide possibilities and these
were discussed and a unanimous decision taken by the GB on 12.03.15. KS2
children will be taught on the MTyas site from September 2015. There will be
a number of Federation days in the summer term to aid their transition.
EPPLEBY FORCETT LUNCH TIME
CONCERN: “Walking a whole class of reception aged children to the lunch hall.
They are not prepared physically or mentally.”
LOCAL PROVISION AT PRESCHOOLS
Q: Owner of a nursery/preschool has expressed worries on a number of
occasions about her business and the impact of any changes in the local schools
extending their age range to include 2-3 year olds.
24 March 2015
We agree that to walk 3 year olds to another site for lunch is an issue. Alternative
arrangements would be made for the younger children. Investigations into this
are being carried out.
A: Schools extending the age range to include younger children must go through
a consultative process. MTyas and EF will not be taking FS1 children in
September 2015. The existing Eppleby Forcett preschool have agreed to rent
space at EF for 12 months, which will not fall under the Federation Governance
at that time.
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