Education Resources

Consultation proposal document

We are looking for your views on the

proposed re-alignment of the catchment areas of Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools

Closing date for responses: Friday 23rd January 2015

A public meeting will be held on:

Wednesday 7th January 2015 6pm – 7pm

at Castlefield Primary School

This document has been issued by South Lanarkshire Council for consultation under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone: 01698 454545 Email: education@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Contents 1. The proposal and consultation process 2. Implementation date for the proposal 3. Background to the proposal and overview of pupil population trends 4. Educational benefits - assessment of the effects of the proposal

5. Assessing the impact on the local community affected by this proposal 6. Employee implications 7. Financial implications 8. Responding to the proposal 9. Appendices

Appendix 1 Distribution list Appendix 2 Areas proposed to be rezoned from Crosshouse Primary School to

Castlefield Primary School 10. Consultation response form

1.0 The proposal and consultation process 1.1 Proposal

South Lanarkshire Council is seeking views on the following proposal, namely: • To re-align the catchment areas for Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools.

1.2 Decision to undertake the consultation: 19th November 2014

On 19 November 2014, the Executive Committee of South Lanarkshire Council (“the Council”) agreed that a consultation with all stakeholders be undertaken on the proposal within this document.

1.3 Consultation on the proposal

Under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, if a local authority proposes to alter the catchment area of a school, it must undertake a statutory consultation with key stakeholders affected by the proposal. In this instance, both Castlefield Primary School and Crosshouse Primary School would be the affected schools. The formal consultation on the proposal within this document will be undertaken under the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the Act”). The consultation period will start on Monday 1 December 2014 (with due notice of the proposal to the consultees listed in Appendix 1) and will end on Friday 23 January 2015 (30 school days). Written representations must be received by this date in order to be taken into account.

1.4 Public meeting: 7 January 2015 A public meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th January 2015 between 6pm and 7pm in Castlefield Primary School. The meeting will provide those in attendance with an opportunity to: • Hear about the proposal • Ask questions about the proposal • Express views about the proposal. A note will be taken of the views expressed during the public meeting and of any questions asked. In addition to the public meeting, written representations will be able to be made during the consultation period.

1.5 Pupil views

Pupils will be invited to comment before, during and after the consultation process, ensuring that they have opportunities to contribute their views.

1.6 Education Scotland (formerly HM Inspectorate of Education, HMIe)

The Council will provide the proposal document to Education Scotland at the start of the consultation period. When the consultation period has ended, the Council will collate all of the written and oral representations. Thereafter, this information will be provided to Education Scotland and include: • A copy of written representations made to the Council on the proposal (or summary of

them if agreed with Education Scotland) • A summary of oral representations made at the public meeting • Other relevant documentation, so far as is practicable.

Education Scotland will prepare a report on the educational aspects of the proposal taking account of the above, and in so far that Education Scotland considers them relevant, any written representations made directly to them. Education Scotland may also visit the schools affected by the proposal. Education Scotland require to send their report to the Council no later than 3 weeks (or longer if agreed with the Council) after having received the information from the Council.

1.7 Consultation report

After receiving Education Scotland’s report, the Council will review the proposal taking account of written representations received during the consultation period, oral representations made during the public meeting and Education Scotland’s report. The Council will then prepare and publish a consultation report which will include a recommendation on the proposal and make it available for inspection. The consultation report will be published 3 weeks before it is formally considered by the Council.

1.8 Inaccuracies or omissions Where inaccuracies or omissions are discovered within this proposal document, the Council will determine whether relevant information has been omitted or, if there has been an inaccuracy. Appropriate action will then be taken by the Council which may include issuing corrections, reissuing a corrected proposal document or an extension of the consultation period. In any of these events all relevant consultees (and where applicable the notifier(s) of any omissions or inaccuracies) and Education Scotland will be advised of the appropriate action.

2.0 Implementation date for the proposal 2.1 The proposal, if accepted, would be implemented from the beginning of the school session

in August 2015. Parents enrolling children in January 2015 at Crosshouse Primary School who reside in the affected areas should have received a copy of this proposal document and if this proposal is approved, parents would have the choice to send their child/ren to Crosshouse or Castlefield Primary School.

2.2 Brothers and/or sisters of pupils attending Crosshouse Primary School whose home is in

either area proposed to be rezoned to Castlefield Primary School would have the option of attending Crosshouse Primary School without the need for a placing request. This option will remain available until August 2021.

3.0 Background to the proposal and overview of pupil population trends 3.1 The pupil population density of the Greenhills area has shifted over recent years and the

school roll of Crosshouse Primary School has increased significantly while the pupil roll of Castlefield Primary School has been reducing. It is felt that this would be an appropriate time to redefine the catchment areas of both schools to take cognisance of this change.

3.2 There are currently no potential housing developments identified in the Castlefield Primary

School catchment area. However, there is currently house building underway in the Crosshouse Primary School catchment area plus there are other development sites with planning consent to build units totalling almost 400 over the next 7 years.

3.3 The new Castlefield Primary School opened to pupils in 2007 and the new Crosshouse Primary School opened to pupils in 2008. Historic pupil roll information is shown below:

School Year Castlefield Primary School

Pupil roll Crosshouse Primary School

Mainstream pupil roll 2007/08 190 191 2008/09 186 208 2009/10 186 217 2010/11 192 217 2011/12 176 239 2012/13 179 266 2013/14 172 272 2014/15* 162 304 *As at October 2014

3.4 It is proposed that two areas be re-aligned from Crosshouse Primary School to Castlefield

Primary School as shown on Appendix 2 of this document. 4.0 Educational benefits - assessment of the likely effects of the proposal

4.1 Pupils of primary school age The rezoning of the catchment area for Crosshouse Primary School should provide the

following benefits to pupils and staff: • opportunities to use available space more flexibly to support active and collaborative

learning in line with Curriculum for Excellence; • less timetable pressures on other facilities within the school such as the gym hall,

dining hall and library area; • fewer children using playground space, allowing outdoor learning experiences to be

enhanced; • improved ease of access for staff to quiet working areas when planning during non

class contact time. The rezoning of the catchment area for Castlefield Primary School should provide the following benefits to pupils and staff: • increase the vibrancy of Castlefield Primary School and ensure the sustainability of the

school with an increased number of children from the local community; • enable pupils from Carnoustie Crescent, North Berwick Crescent and Troon Avenue to

attend the same catchment school as their neighbours; • provide the potential for increased promoted post opportunities for staff as a result of a

higher pupil roll. 4.2 Pupils of secondary school age The catchment non-denominational secondary school is Duncanrig Secondary School for

both Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools and the proposal contained in this document would not affect these existing arrangements.

4.3 Pupils of other schools in the area

This proposal is not anticipated to have an impact on any other school in the area. 4.4 Implications for pupils if the proposal was not implemented

If the proposal is not implemented, pupils in Crosshouse Primary School could experience future overcrowding.

5.0 Assessing the impact on the local community affected by these proposals 5.1 The proposal is not thought to have an impact on the local community due to the close

proximity of both schools serving the Greenhills area. 5.2 The current Council transport policy would apply for all children who reside in the areas

affected by the proposed catchment change. 6.0 Employee implications 6.1 The nature and extent of any staffing changes at Crosshouse Primary School and/or

Castlefield Primary School would be dependent on pupil roll composition as a result of the catchment change.

6.2 If following the consultation the proposal is approved, the Council will engage with staff and

trade unions to take forward arrangements for possible re-deployment as and when required.

7.0 Financial implications 7.1 As this proposal aims to maximise the use of existing, spare accommodation within

Castlefield Primary School, it represents Best Value and demonstrates the efficient use of Council resources.

7.2 Alternative options could include providing additional accommodation at Crosshouse

Primary School. However, this is not being proposed due to a lack of available space on the current school site and would not represent Best Value for the Council.

8.0 Responding to the proposal 8.1 Interested parties are invited to respond to the proposal by making written or electronic

submissions on the proposal using the form attached no later than Friday 23 January 2015 to:-

South Lanarkshire Council Education Resources (Central Support Team) Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools - Consultation Response Freepost SC05520 Hamilton, ML3 0BR

education@southlanarkshire.gov.uk Please note that responses must be submitted to the address stated above.

9.0 Appendices

Appendix 1 Distribution list and how to access a copy of the proposal document A copy of this proposal document will be provided to the following consultees: • The Parent Council of the affected schools • The parents of the pupils at the affected schools • Parents who have children who are expected to attend the affected schools within 2 years of

the publication of this proposal document. To achieve this, a copy of the proposal will be provided to all Early Years Establishments in the local area.

• The pupils at the affected schools (in so far as the Education Authority considers them to be of suitable age and maturity)

• All South Lanarkshire Council employees at the affected schools • Trade union representatives • Community Councils within the affected locality • Local churches • All relevant users of the affected schools • South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partners

A copy of this proposal document will also be made available to: • All Elected Members of South Lanarkshire Council • South Lanarkshire Youth Council • Education Scotland (formerly Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, HMIe) • The Constituency MSP of the affected schools • List MSP for the area of the affected schools • The MP of the affected schools • Police Commander for Lanarkshire Division of Police Scotland • Chief Executive, NHS Lanarkshire • Chief Executive, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport • Area Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services • Care Inspectorate The steps listed below have also been taken to ensure that the proposal document is widely available. • Notice of the proposal and of publication of this proposal document have been placed within

local newspapers. • The proposal document has also been published on the South Lanarkshire Council website:

www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk. • This document can be made available in alternative forms or translated by contacting

Education Resources on 01698 454102 or at: education@southlanarkshire.gov.uk • The proposal document will also be available at the following locations:

a. Council Offices, Education Resources, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA. Phone 01698

454102 b. All libraries in South Lanarkshire c. All South Lanarkshire Council Q and A Offices d. The schools affected by the proposal

Appendix 2

Area 1 includes the following addresses: Carnoustie Crescent North Berwick Crescent Troon Avenue Area 2 includes the following addresses: Bennan Place Brendon Avenue Cairngorm Place Campsie Road Campsie Road Cheviot Crescent Clarkin Avenue Corrie Gardens Cromalt Avenue Fintry Place Forsa Court Grampian Drive Invercloy Court Kilmory Court Kilpatrick Drive Kilsyth Gardens Ladder Court Lamlash Place Lochranza Drive Lochranza Lane Machrie Green Meadow Close Merkland Way Moorfoot Gardens Ochil Court Penrioch Drive Pentland Road Pirnmill Avenue Polden Avenue Polden Court Quantock Drive Sannox Place Torbeg Gardens

Education Resources

Consultation response form

Please use this form to let us know what you think about the proposal

You can complete this feedback form in Adobe Acrobat and print it out, or print it and complete it by hand, using block capital letters. Return the form to: South Lanarkshire Council, Education Resources (Central Support Team), Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools - Consultation Response, Freepost SC05520, Hamilton, ML3 0BR or as an email attachment to education@southlanarkshire.gov.uk. (You will need Acrobat Reader Version 8 or later to be able to save the completed form. Go to http://get.adobe.com/reader to download a free copy.) The closing date for comments is Friday, 23 January 2015.

Proposal South Lanarkshire Council is seeking views on the following proposal, namely: • To re-align the catchment areas of Castlefield and Crosshouse Primary Schools. Name

Address

I agree with the proposal (please tick) Yes No Undecided If you wish to comment on the proposal please use the space below, or overleaf

I am responding in my capacity as a (please indicate by ticking the appropriate box) Parent/carer of child at Castlefield Primary School Parent/carer of child at Crosshouse Primary School Castlefield PS Parent Council Crosshouse PS Parent Council On behalf of the PTA (Castlefield PS) On behalf of the PTA (Crosshouse PS)

Trade Union Elected representative Pupil Community Council Member of staff Other group Member of the public / community Church

Please use this space if you wish to comment further:

Handling your response - Please note that: • We will use the information you provide for the purpose(s) of this consultation, including

statistical and analytical purposes; • We will pass a full copy of your written response to Education Scotland or a summary of it if

agreed with them; and • We are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and

therefore would have to consider any request made under that Act for information relating to written responses/records of oral representations made to us relating to this consultation.

Electronic publication and additional copies This consultation, and all other consultation exercises, can be viewed online on the consultation web pages of the council website at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk. You can find out about your nearest public internet access point at your local library. Thank you for taking the time to respond.