Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which sought approval in relation to intake numbers for a number of primary and secondary schools in the city, and reserved places in named primary and secondary schools for children likely to become resident in the zone of these schools during the school year.

The report recommended –

that the Committee –

(a)       agree that the secondary year 1 intakes, and reservation of spaces for children likely to become resident in the zone during the school year as follows:

·         Aberdeen Grammar School 210 (including 10 reserved spaces);

·         Bucksburn Academy 120 (including 6 reserved spaces);

·         Cults Academy 180 (including 14 reserved spaces);

·         Harlaw Academy 180 (including 4 reserved spaces).

(b)       agree that the secondary year 2 intake and reserved spaces for the session 2014/2015 would be set at the level previously agreed for their entry into secondary year 1 and that the secondary year 3 intake and reserved spaces for session 2014/2015 would be set at the level previously agreed for their entry into secondary year 1;

(c)        agree to limit the primary 1 intakes of the named primary schools for August 2014 by limiting the number of classes at primary 1 and primary 1/2 composite as follows:

·           Airyhall                                    13 classes

·           Ashley Road                          14 classes

·           Cult                                          19 classes

·           Hanover Street                         8 classes

·           Heathryburn School             12 classes

·           Kaimhill School                     10 classes

·           Kingswells School                17 classes

·           Manor Park School               12 classes

·           Mile End School                    16 classes

·           Seaton School                       10 classes

·           Stoneywood                             7 classes

·           St Peters                                 11 classes

·           Tullos                                       13 classes

·           Walker Road                          17 classes

(d)       agree to reserve spaces in the following primary schools in the 2014/2015:

·           Airyhall                       3 reserved places

·           Ashley Road              3 reserved places

·           Cults                            3 reserved places

·           Hanover Street          3 reserved places

·           Heathryburn School3 reserved places

·           Kaimhill School        2 reserved places

·           Kingswells School    3 reserved places

·           Manor Park School   3 reserved places

·           Mile End School       4 reserved places

·           Seaton School          3 reserved places

·           Stoneywood               3 reserved places

·           St Peters                   3 reserved places*

·           Tullos                          3 reserved places

·           Walker Road            3 reserved places*

* The in zone pupil numbers currently identified will not provide space for further enrolment until a space becomes available;

(e)       agree to continue to apply the class size maximum of 18 for primary 1 and primary 1/2 composite classes in schools as set out in the report;

(f)        reserve St Peters from the list of maximum class sizes of 18 in primary 1;

(g)       instruct the Schools Service Managers to closely monitor the number of pupils transferring to the identified capped schools in August 2014 relative to the roll limits and classes being recommended; and

(h)       devolve authority to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport to make decisions as to the management of roll capping, and the reservation of school places in both primary and secondary schools, and to instruct officers to update the Scheme of Delegation accordingly.

The Committee heard from the Head of Schools and Education Establishments who advised that since publication of the agenda further information in relation to the number of pupils due to attend Walker Road Primary School had been received and as such 18 classes, rather than 17 as recommended within the report, would be required.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:

that the Committee approve recommendations (a) to (g) and delegate authority to the Director of Education, Culture and Sport to make decisions as to the management of roll capping, and the reservation of school places in both primary and secondary school, within existing council policy, subject to all uses of this delegation being reported to the Committee by way of the information bulletin, and to instruct officers to update the Scheme of Delegation accordingly.

Councillor Townson, seconded by Councillor McCaig, moved as an amendment –

that the Committee (1) approve recommendations (a), (b), (e), (f), (g); (2) approve recommendations (c) and (d) but in future follow the process as detailed in (3) and (4) as follows; (3) instruct officers in regard to roll capping and reservation of school places in both primary and secondary schools, where there were proposed changes in configuration, to put in place a consultation process with relevant groups and organisations such as Parent Councils, Parent Teacher Associations, Community Councils and where appropriate Community Centre Management Committees; and (4) instruct officers to present relevant statistical information in an appropriate format specifying resultant recommendations on said roll capping and reserved places for Committee’s approval.

At this juncture, the Committee received legal advice from Mrs Elaine Falconer, Senior Solicitor, Legal and Democratic Services regarding the terms of the amendment.  Mrs Falconer advised in terms of point (3) of the amendment that the management of roll capping and reservation of school places was a decision for the Education Authority to make annually in advance of placing requests being determined by 31 March in any given year; therefore legally there was no locus for these bodies to be consulted upon in advance of a decision being made.  She explained the resource and timing implications which would be experienced should the proposal be implemented.  Finally, she advised that the proposal was not advisable and that notwithstanding any consultation being undertaken the decision would still require to be taken by the Education Authority.

On a division, there voted: for the motion (15) – the Convener, the Vice Convener, and Councillors Allan, Carle, Cooney, Crockett, Lesley Dunbar, Greig, Malik, Jennifer Stewart, Taylor and Young, and Mr Duncan, Mr Paul and Mrs Wischik; for the amendment (7) – Councillors Cameron, Kiddie, May, McCaig, Noble, Stuart and Townson, and Mr Nicoll and Ms Wildi.

The Committee resolved:

to adopt the motion.