Decision details

To consider the outcome of the informal consultation on amalgamation of Malorees Infant School (Community) and Malorees Junior School (Foundation).

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the comments and concerns raised by Patrick Martin (NEU representative), Michael Cleary (staff representative) and Aidan Reilly (local parent representative) in relation to the proposed amalgamation of Malorees Infant & Junior School.  These included the lack of perceived benefit to the school community arising from the amalgamation given the school was already operating as a Federation with a single Governing Body and senior leadership team along with the uncertainty over the rebuild proposals and potential financial impact on the funding available to the school moving forward, which it was pointed out was already in deficit.

Whilst acknowledging the concerns highlighted, Councillor Muhammed Butt (responding as Leader of the Council following the apologies for absence received from Councillor Grahl) took the opportunity to assure the school staff and parent community that the approach being recommended did not include any proposed redundancies or changes in the terms and conditions of school staff; would retain Malorees as a community school and not lead to the risk of academisation and had been designed to secure access to DfE funding that would provide long overdue and transformative infrastructure investment for the rebuilding of both school buildings recognising the school as an important community asset in Brondesbury Park.  In clarifying the funding reduction outlined in the report, it was pointed out this reflected the move towards the National Funding Formula, set by the DfE, with the Governing Body together with Council commitment to securing the schools financial resilience and confident of the plans in place to manage the funding reduction without an impact on staff.

In recognising the offer extended by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools to meet with NEU representatives in order to continue discussions around the proposals moving forward Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve a period of formal consultation, through publication of a statutory notice, on proposals to:

(a)        Close Malorees Junior School;

(b)        Expand the age range of Malorees Infant School to admit children aged between 3 – 11; and

(c)        Change the name of Malorees Infant School to Malorees Primary School

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25