Malpas Schools Reorganisation report (edited version)

Background to report

Following the review of the provision of primary education in Newport undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Forum Young People Services, the Cabinet agreed in September 2004 to consultation on the amalgamation of Malpas Park and Malpas Court Primary Schools on the Malpas Court site

Consultation with parents, the community staff and governors has taken place on the Malpas proposal.

Consultation meetings with staff, governors and parents took place on 21st and 22nd February 2005.

Consultees were asked to respond to the consultation by 22nd March 2005.

146 responses were received, 115 against the proposal and 31 in favour.

Of those against the proposal the following were the consistent themes from those responding.

• Issues around the quality of provision at existing schools and particularly Malpas Park
• Issues about the size and suitability of the buildings at Malpas Court for the new school
• Concern over the safety issues for children crossing Malpas Road
• Whether the quality of education will be improved for all children as a result of the proposal

Of those in favour the following points were made

• The quality of the site and the building of Malpas Court
• The bringing together of the two parts of the community into a single school.

Of those against the proposal the following points were felt to be particularly significant

• Malpas Park School is a high performing school which is popular with parents in the area.
• Malpas Court is an improving school with good prospects

The LEA is confident that the two schools will continue to provide well for the education of pupils in the area. On this basis the LEA has decided to take no further action.

Options Considered/Available

• The option to close Malpas Court and Malpas Park Primary Schools and to create one school on the Malpas Court site.

Preferred choice and reasons

• The options were rejected in both cases for the reasons set out in paragraphs 3 & 4 above

This is an extract of the report written by David Griffiths ( david.griffiths@newport.gov.uk )