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							                                                              CABINET
                                                              20th January 2003
                                                              Item No

                         Secondary Education in Thetford

                          Report by Director of Education


                 This paper updates Cabinet on secondary school
                 developments in Thetford and asks for agreement to
                 begin the formal consultation process to extend the
                 statutory age-range at Rosemary Musker High School.


1.      Review of Secondary Education in Thetford

       Education at secondary level in Thetford is now provided at Charles
       Burrell High School (11-18: 640 pupils in January 2002) and Rosemary
       Musker High School (11-16: 752 pupils in January 2002). The schools
       are situated on the southern and northern edges of the town
       respectively and pupils overwhelmingly come from within the town.

       Over the course of the autumn term LEA officers have been reviewing
       the pattern of secondary education in the town. The purpose of the
       review is to consider whether any alternative to the current
       arrangements could better address the issues of standards of
       attainment, staff recruitment and retention, increasing pupil numbers
       and accommodation.

       We have considered the data relating to existing accommodation and
       site capacities, current and future pupil numbers and looked at a
       number of options. There have also been informal discussions with
       headteachers and chairs of governors of both schools. It is clear that a
       single-site amalgamated option would not be feasible within a
       reasonable timescale. At the same time, the schools should be given
       as much support as possible in their efforts to raise levels of pupil
       attainment. Given the recent close working between the two schools
       on developing the sixth form provision described in Section 2, it is
       proposed that the potential for further collaboration between Rosemary
       Musker and Charles Burrell High Schools within a federated
       arrangement under the new freedoms of the Education Act 2002
       should be explored.

       This formal collaboration could range from the establishment of a
       formal joint governing body committee to oversee the developing sixth-
       form arrangements within the framework of the Thetford Campus to

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       creating a single governing body. The recently produced guidance on
       federation from the DfES suggests that potential federations could
       consider innovative management structures such as:
            a Chief Executive to oversee the federation;
            administrative support across the federation;
            support groups and support group meetings, such as a project
             board.

       Funding is potentially available from central government for additional
       expenditure to support federations over a three-year period.

       The headteachers and chairs of governors of both schools have been
       informally notified of the approach outlined above and have been
       positive in their responses. The proposals will have been put before
       the school governing body meetings on 13th and 14th January and it is
       suggested that a small working party of headteachers, governors, and
       LEA officers be established to develop a proposal for a formal
       collaborative partnership between the two schools. This could then be
       submitted to the DfES for financial support.


2.      Sixth Form Developments

       Significant developments have taken place in recent months to prepare
       for a relaunch of the sixth form provision in Thetford. In order to
       increase the take-up of courses at the Charles Burrell sixth-form centre
       it is proposed to offer provision based on both high school sites from
       September 2003. This idea was presented to the staff of the two
       schools in October 2002 and was received with enthusiasm and
       commitment. The newly named Thomas Paine Sixth Form has been
       launched in a new prospectus and presented as one of three options
       along with attending an FE college outside Thetford or employment
       with high quality training. A range of courses offering A level and other
       qualifications including links with industry have been offered to year 11
       students, who are now making their choices.

       It is envisaged that each student’s home base will be the high school
       that they have attended up to year 11. This is an important element of
       the development with the aim of encouraging more students to stay on
       for post-16 study in a familiar and supportive environment. Teaching
       will take place on both sites and other locations as necessary.

       In order to meet the accommodation requirements of the enhanced
       sixth form provision it will be necessary to provide additional
       accommodation at the Rosemary Musker site, initially in temporary
       facilities, and also to upgrade the pastoral provision at Charles Burrell.

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       This potential pressure on the capital programme has been included in
       the current list of needs currently being discussed by the Member
       Officer Task Group on Education Capital Priorities. Additional or
       improved permanent sixth form accommodation at both schools is
       included within a Targeted Capital Bid for Thetford submitted to DfES
       on 3rd January 2003.

       A range of other post-16 initiatives have been established under the
       Thetford Campus umbrella:
            Increased collaboration with a range of partners including Adult
             Education, Norwich City College, College of West Anglia, West
             Suffolk College.
             Development of the Breckland House Learning Centre (ICT).
             Tanner House (Adult Education).
             Abbey Cyber Centre.
             Basic Skills courses at a variety of locations.
            Inspire Technology Centre (Engineering and Electronics with
             school-based learning and work placements).

       In order to reflect the change in the nature of the sixth form
       arrangements in Thetford it will be necessary to alter the formal
       designation of the age-range for pupils attending Rosemary Musker
       from 11-16 to 11-18. Only Charles Burrell is currently a statutory 11-18
       school. To achieve this it will be necessary to consult formally with the
       governing bodies, the Learning and Skills Council and the local
       community before issuing public notices. The matter would be then
       determined by the School Organisation Committee. The proposed
       schedule is:

       January:                   Publication of consultation documents
       Late February:             Consultation ends
       March 10th:                Cabinet considers whether to issue public notices
       Mid-March:                 Public notices issued
       Mid-June:                  Consultation closes
       Late June/early July:      School Organisation Committee determines outcome.


3.      Alternative Options

       As a change of age-range requires the statutory processes to be
       undertaken, there are no alternative options.




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4.     Conclusions

       There are a significant number of related initiatives currently underway
       in Thetford. We have a major opportunity to work in partnership with
       both schools to ensure that these initiatives are co-ordinated and make
       the maximum contribution to the improvement in the quality of
       educational provision in the town.

       In order to achieve this aim we should support the current sixth form
       developments within the overall umbrella of the Thetford Campus.


5.      Recommendations

       That Members APPROVE

       1.        Continuing discussion and consultation on possible collaborative
                 and federated structures with both secondary schools and their
                 governing bodies.
       2.        Formal consultations to be undertaken for Rosemary Musker High
                 School to be designated as an 11-18 school.


Tim Newton (01553) 669233
School Improvement Support Officer
Western Area



Background Papers

      DfES Guidance on Federation (December 2002)
      DfES Excellence Cluster Guidance
      Thetford EAZ Transformation Outline Plan



                                   If you would like this report in large
                                   print, audio, Braille, alternative format or
                                   in a different language please contact
                                   Tel: 01603 222377
                                   Fax: 01603 222119
                                   Email: janet.evans.edu@norfolk.gov.uk



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