13 May 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to conduct a review of the Isle of Wight Council’s proposals for education reform, with a view to allowing standards to be raised WITHIN the existing system of education."
Details of Petition:
"The Isle of Wight Council are intent on reforming the education system. To effect this reform they have proposed 3 options. Island residents have been asked to vote for one of the 3 proposed options. All 3 options do not address the need to improve standards beyond age 13. Instead the options proposed will destroy the schools that are currently providing excellent education for under 13 year olds. The process of consultation carried out by the council is flawed, since respondents are forced to choose one of the proposed options, whereas a great many would rather see an option which allowed standards to be raised WITHIN the existing system."
Read the Government’s response
You have petitioned for a review of the Isle of Wight’s proposals for changes to local school organisation and to provide for an option to be considered whereby the current system can be retained but standards raised.
First, it is important to note that school place planning is the statutory responsibility of the local authority (LA). It is for each LA to review school place provision regularly to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet the needs of the population and to secure high standards. The local authority also needs to consider how best to implement the changes to the 14-19 curriculum, which will become a national entitlement from 2013. Where the LA propose to make any changes to local school provision they must publish statutory proposals which are decided under local decision making arrangements and Ministers cannot intervene.
The process for making statutory proposals involves five statutory stages: Consultation (with all interested parties); Publication (in a local newspaper, at the entrance to the school and in a conspicuous place in the area served by the school); Representations (allowing for comments and objections to be submitted); Decision (normally by the LA); and Implementation (of the approved proposal). There will be a right of appeal to the schools adjudicator in specific cases.
The law requires the LA and schools adjudicator to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State when taking a decision on proposals. The guidance makes it clear that all cases must be considered on their individual merits taking into account the competing arguments. The guidance also sets out a range of factors which must be considered which include: the impact on local standards and diversity; the need for school places in the area; the length and nature of journeys to alternative provision; the views of interested parties; cost effectiveness etc. More information on the decision making arrangements and guidance is available on the School Organisation Website.
In this case, we understand that the Isle of Wight have concluded their consultation on options for a review and have now decided to move towards a two tier model of school provision. LA officials are currently preparing proposals which will then be subject to the statutory process.
As explained above, the LA must consult all interested parties as a first stage. In doing so they must have regard to the Secretary of State’s guidance and this provides a list of those parties who should be consulted including staff, governors and parents, other schools and LAs that are likely to be affected, the LSC etc. The guidance makes it clear that the LA must provide sufficient information and adequate time for those being consulted to form a view and make their views known. Before deciding to publish the proposals the LA must consider the views expressed and must be able to demonstrate how they have taken those views into account before they made their final decision. It is therefore important for local people to engage in this process, consider the case made by the LA and then submit their views.
You will be aware that the LA has taken a decision to reorganise school provision on the Island because it believes this is as an important step towards improving standards for pupils. Outcomes at the end of Key Stage 4 (age 16) are below the national average and below what pupils should be expected to achieve given their starting points at age 7, when standards are well above the national average.
The Government recognises that proposals to change local school provision can be very upsetting and unsettling for those involved. We hope that this response is helpful in explaining how decisions are taken. We would encourage those who are affected by the proposals to make their views known to the LA during the proposed statutory period of consultation to ensure that they are taken into account.