Decision details

The Cabinet Member (Children and Families) submitted a report setting out the proposal for Cabinet to approve a decision for the disestablishment of the sixth form provision at St Monica’s RC High School. The proposal resulted from the decision made by the Governing Body of St Monica’s RC High School on 27 February 2017 to publish a notice of a proposal of its intention to close the sixth form provision. The notice set out arrangements for those affected by the proposal to submit their views and details of the responses received were appended to the report submitted.

The Governing Body had determined that the sixth form provision at St Monica’s had failed to recruit strongly and was operating significantly below capacity. Based on current and projected student numbers the sixth form provision at the school was not financially sustainable.

The Governing Body met on 4 April 2017 to consider the fourteen responses received from the consultation process. Five of the responses were opposed to the closure with the remainder in favour of the proposal. The Governing Body had agreed to all reasonable measures to find alternative provision for those students that would be affected by the proposed closure. The Governing Body consulted with unions and efforts had been made to redeploy and support those staff affected. Salford Diocese was also consulted and had accepted that the Sixth Form provision at the school was no longer sustainable. The Governing Body decided to reaffirm its decision to close the sixth form with effect from 31 August 2017.

The report specified that in considering the school’s Governing Body decision for closure of the sixth form provision, Cabinet would need to be satisfied that the consultation process was appropriate, fair and open. Consideration should also be given to the views of those affected by a proposal or who have an interest in it, giving weight to those most directly affected.  

Delegated decision:

That the published proposal to disestablish the sixth form provision at St Monica’s RC High School taken by the school’s Governing Body, with effect from 31 August 2017, be approved.  

Reasons for the decision:

Cabinet accepts that the case set out by the Governing Body in its proposal, satisfies the requirements as stated within the statutory guidance. In addition adequate arrangements have been made for displaced students affected by the proposal.

Other option considered and rejected:

To not make a decision and refer consideration to the Schools Adjudicator. 

(Note: The report Appendix 1 was made exempt from the public domain for the reason that it identified individuals.)