Strategic Education Review Update – Outcome of the pre-publication consultation

Strategic Education Review Update Cabinet Report 

Stage 2 – Statutory Notice (Consultation)

Purpose of project

The purpose of this report is to seek agreement to commence consultation on a number of proposals outlined below. The consultation proposals involve two school mergers.

The Authority recognises that school reorganisation of this nature will be of concern for local communities, however, the current position is not sustainable. Taking this into account, these proposals would enable the Borough to have a system of education that will bring about the highest possible standards of education for all of the children of North Tyneside for the short, medium, and long term.

Who is the project intended to benefit?

The Authority is currently undertaking a Strategic Education and Inclusion Review across North Tyneside, seeking to ensure that a sustainable, sufficient, and high-quality educational system is maintained which enables all children and young people to achieve positive outcomes, including those with additional needs. One key priority of the Review aims to establish financial sustainability of schools. 

The Authority has a commitment for all children and young people to have the right to attend a school which provides continued and improving high quality provision for all children, where the number of pupils on roll enables school leaders to provide a diverse curriculum and which is of an appropriate size for the local authority to fulfil its statutory responsibility regarding pupil places.

The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.

Any financial risk to the Authority arising from schools experiencing financial hardship is limited.

What outcomes should be achieved?

In the light of the Strategic Education and Inclusion Review and the principles behind it, alongside the issues outlined above around school funding, the outcomes to be achieved are:

• to make sure every child gets the best possible education and curriculum offer
• the students, families and staff at the schools concerned are supported regarding the current school position given the challenges
• the Authority continues to fulfil its statutory responsibility regarding pupil places, and
• the Authority limits any financial risks arising from schools experiencing financial hardship. 

Approximately 700 pupils currently at the named schools and potentially hundreds of prospective pupils in other schools will be impacted.

The is likely to cause significant stress and anxiety for pupils and their families and carers due to uncertainty. 

Pupils, families, and carers are also likely to experience anxiety about supporting their children and young people through such a significant change if the school were to close. 

High impact

yes

Carers and families of these pupils will be impacted. 

Whilst the consultation process is undertaken pupils, families, and carers are likely to:

• experience significant stress and anxiety supporting their children and young people through a period of uncertainty.
• have concerns about facing the cost of increased weekly travel and subsistence.
• have concerns that travel distances being greater for those pupils who would be relocated to a new school location.
• have concerns about not being able to access childcare to accommodate their circumstances.

If the consultation proposals were to move to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in school closure / merger pupils, families, and carers could be:

• concerned about supporting their children and young people through change/ transition to a new school location.
• concerned about additional financial costs, such as a need to purchase an alternative / new school uniform.
• concerned about incurring additional travel costs if the mode of transport to school had to change from walking to public transport or use of private vehicles.
• concerned about travel time being extended.
• concerned about not being able to access childcare to accommodate their circumstances.

High impact

Residents of North Tyneside both within the catchment areas and beyond.

Reputation of the education system and/ or the local area may be impacted, resulting in a change of perception for the local area affecting desirability and house prices. 

Potential change to traffic patterns as pupil routes to school will change. 

Concern for family members who are parents or carers of children who are attending or are looking to attend the schools within the proposal.

Low impact

The consultation may cause stress and anxiety for staff employed by the schools in the proposals due to uncertainty.

Concerns from staff employed at the schools named in the proposals on the impact on their employment. If the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in a school closure/ merger, a separate impact assessment will need to be undertaken by the Governing Bodies as part of relevant employment processes and consultation.

High impact

The receiving schools identified in the proposals will have an increased pupil population. This may lead to concerns regarding:

• increased number of classes,  
• increased class sizes,
• increased number of teaching and support staff required,
• increased demand for resources, catering, out of school clubs, etc. 

Parents may opt to relocate their child to a different school in North Tyneside because of these proposals.

Prospective parents may also change their preferred schools when applying for admission. This may positively impact schools who are undersubscribed and may negatively impact those schools who are oversubscribed / full. 

Impact on other schools in North Tyneside due to uncertainty whilst the consultation process takes place.

Impact on other schools in North Tyneside if the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in a school closure/ merger.

Impact Medium

Evidence has been gathered from briefing papers, Finance, and Data and Insights regarding demographics, capacity of schools, birth data, and pupil information.

Demographic information for the borough, including census data: Population

Ambition for Education Strategy 2020 - 2024

SEND Inclusion Strategy 2021 - 2024

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan

Ambition for Education Cabinet Report 21 September 2022

Ambition for Education Cabinet Report 18 September 2023 

Ambition for Education Cabinet Report 16 September 2024.

Best practice and statutory guidance as published by the Local Government Association (LGA): New Conversations

Legal frameworks

The Authority has a legal duty (by virtue of s.13A Education Act 1996) to ensure that its education functions are exercised with a view to:

• promoting high standards,
• ensuring fair access to opportunity, and

• promoting the fulfilment of the learning potential of every child.

   

The Education and Inspections Act 2006, Part 2 and Schedule 2 and The School Organisation (Establishment and Discontinuance of Schools) Regulations 2014.

Statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) (Opening and closing maintained schools: Statutory guidance for proposers and decision makers, October 2024). 

Section 15 of Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Consultation responses from the Have your Say Engagement process, parent/ carer presentations, parent/carer representative forums. 

Requests for further information including FOI’s, Member & MP Enquiries, Education Review enquiries and enquiries from other stakeholders.

Public consultation has been undertaken through Have your Say Engagement, parent/ carer meetings, parent/ carer representative forums. 

Requests for further information including FOI’s, Member and MP Enquiries, Education Review enquires and enquiries from other stakeholders.

Discussions have been held with the Deputy Mayor, and Cabinet Members and with the senior team leading services for schools.

Pre-publication consultation: 

• Received views and alternative proposals via Have Your Say.
• Received alternative proposals.
• Parent and carer meetings held for each of the four proposals.
• Parent/ carer representative forums.
• Education Review enquiries.
• Sessions for parent and carers of children with SEND providing a forum to ask specific questions.
• FAQ’s regularly updated.

Further consultation is now required through the statutory notice (consultation) period. 

School census data does not include data on some protected characteristics including gender reassignment, religion, pregnancy and maternity, or sexual orientation of pupils.

Legally protected characteristics  

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• People of working age who are likely to have limited availability.
• Young people who may be unable to access online tools used for the consultation.
• Older people are more likely to struggle to access online activities. Some residents not being able to access and understand the information presented without additional support or alternative arrangements, meaning they are excluded from participating in the consultation meaningfully.
• Stress and anxiety for pupils, their families, and carers due to uncertainty.
• Pupils currently at schools concerned and hundreds of prospective pupils in other schools as the consultation takes place.
• Families and carers likely to experience anxiety about supporting their children and young people through such a significant change if schools were to close. 

We know that some demographics are more likely to participate in engagement activities than others and this poses a

risk of over-representation of certain groups, which could lead to negative impacts on under-represented groups. 

Engagement using Have your Say will ensure that all relevant residents are able to contribute, making services more appropriate for residents of all ages.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

Pupils currently at schools concerned and hundreds of prospective pupils in other schools if schools were to close. 

The consultation proposals may cause stress and anxiety for pupils, their families, and carers due to uncertainty.

Families and carers likely to experience anxiety about supporting their children and young people through such a significant change if schools were to close. 

The Authority has a commitment for all children and young people to have the right to attend a school which provides continued and improving high quality provision for all children, where the number of pupils on roll enables school leaders to provide a diverse curriculum and which is of an appropriate size for the local authority to fulfil its statutory responsibility regarding pupil places.

The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.

Going into any new setting with new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team, SEND staff, pastoral team and partner organisations if needed.

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• Deaf residents may need access to BSL and Speech-to-Text as they may experience barriers to knowing about engagements which are going on if they are only communicated through usual channels as there is significant Deaf population who does not or has difficulty reading in English.
• Blind residents may need access to braille and/or text-to-speech options.
• Neurodiverse residents may need different access options which will vary across the spectrums, but may include a preference for specific types of engagement and ways of communicating (verbal/ non-verbal).
• Residents with learning disabilities may experience barriers to accessing written engagement activities.

Referring to and using information provided via engagement activities as noted as part of the pre-consultation process.

Engagement using Have your Say will ensure that all relevant residents are able to contribute, making services more appropriate for residents of all abilities.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

Pupils with a physical disability, sensory impairment or neuro-diverse condition attending any of the schools may have specific additional needs that are currently well met.

It is anticipated that there could be a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing, in particular any children and young people with neurodiversity who may not respond positively to change of routine, loss of familiar adults, peers, familiar environment and needing to potentially attend an alternative school/ location. 

Pupils with SEND and Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) continuing to be supported in any new school setting. 

Potential impacts of physical accessibility (getting to and getting around/ getting to and from any new school location) for those with mobility needs and sensory impairments.

Reconfiguration of existing space in any new location which could result in less breakout or alternative spaces being available.

Children with SEND may struggle to cope with disruption and changes caused by the proposals.  

Loss of or greater demand on specific resources, equipment, and spaces for pupils with additional needs. 

Going into a new school location/setting with some new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team, SEND staff, pastoral team and partner organisations if needed.

Potential impact of the consultation:

Engagements will take place via Have your Say ensuring residents are able to contribute, making services more appropriate for residents of all genders.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

• Going into a new school location/setting with some new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team and partner organisations if needed.
• Increased anxiety due to some new pupils, staff, and parents/carers.
• Arrangements for accessing gender specific spaces (e.g. toilets) may change, which could be viewed as a positive or a negative for the individuals affected.
• School policies may be different at any new school. 

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• People on maternity, adoption or shared parental leave may have less time to participate in the consultation due to childcare responsibilities.
• Using Have your Say ensures that all relevant residents, who are on maternity/ adoption or shared parental leave or who are pregnant are able to contribute. 

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• Some groups may experience language barriers which limits access or makes them less confident to contribute to engagement activities.
• Some communities may not feel comfortable sharing their opinions in documents that may be published anonymously once the consultation process concludes and if a decision is made to implement the proposal.
• There may be cultural barriers around authority and the power held by the Authority.
• Using Have Your Say will ensure that all relevant residents are able to contribute, making services more appropriate for residents of all races and ethnicities, and meeting their needs.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

• Going into any new setting with some new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team, SEND staff, pastoral team and partner organisations if needed.

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• Members of some faiths, particularly Judaism and Islam, may feel concerned about harassment or prejudice, which may make them less likely to participate in sharing their views and opinions in documents that may be published anonymously once the consultation process concludes and if a decision is made to implement the proposal.
• Holy days, festivals, and religious commitments may limit participation.
• Religious norms may limit who is seen as appropriate to participate in engagement activities.
• Consistent engagement will positively impact through ensuring that all religious groups have their voices heard and respected.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

• Going into any new setting with some new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team and partner organisations if needed.
• Pupils with dietary requirements because of religious beliefs may have concerns about these requirements being met in a new setting.
• Arrangements for celebrating religious festivals, etc may differ between schools.
• Knowledge and understanding of religious customs and worship may differ between schools. 

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• It is known that men are less likely to participate in engagement activities, which may lead to their perspectives being underrepresented.
• Equally, women are more likely to have care responsibilities, which may make it harder for them participate in engagement activities.
• Engagement will allow the views and needs of both sexes to be taken into account.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

The changes proposed will not disproportionately affect young people in respect of their sex.

Potential impact of the consultation:

Particular attention should be paid to the following impacts:

• LGB residents may feel less comfortable sharing their views and opinions in documents that may be published anonymously once the consultation process concludes and if a decision is made to implement the proposal due to fear of prejudice or harassment.
• Inappropriate or exclusive language may make LGB residents less likely to participate in surveys or other online engagement activities.
• Consistent engagement will ensure that LGB voices are considered in the planning and development of services.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

• Going into a new setting with some new pupils and staff would need careful handling. The young people will be supported by the school team, SEND staff, pastoral team and partner organisations if needed.
• Increased anxiety and concerns from new pupils, staff, and parents/carers.

Using Have Your Say will ensure that relevant demographic groups have their voice heard with regards to issues and changes to services which will affect them. Paying careful attention to who is included allows us to ensure that all demographic groups are represented fairly and equitably in engagement activities. Good data tracking will also highlight where issues have intersectional impact. 

As noted above, there is also always a risk of over-representation of certain groups, as it is known that some demographics are more likely to participate in engagement activities than others. This could lead to negative impacts on under-represented groups. Where there are intersectional barriers, there is a greater likelihood of residents not feeling comfortable participating in engagement activities, and therefore not being included within reports and feedback. 

Potential impact of the consultation:

Carers can be underrepresented as:

• Not all carers will necessarily identify themselves in that way, which can lead to their voices not being included accurately within engagement activities, which can lead to negative impacts.
• Caring responsibilities may limit their ability to participate in engagement activities.
• Using Have Your Say will ensure that all relevant residents are able to contribute, making services more appropriate for carers and those they care for.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

It is acknowledged that there is likely to be a negative impact on any young carers. 

The proposal is likely to cause significant stress and anxiety for pupils and their parents / carers due to uncertainty. 

If the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in school closure / merger there would be additional financial costs, such as a need to purchase an alternative / new school uniform and potentially incur additional travel costs if mode of transport to school had to change from walking to public transport or use of private vehicles. 

Travel time may be extended too which may cause a problem for young carers.

Families and carers are also likely to experience anxiety about supporting their children and young people through such a significant change if the school were to close. 

Carers and families may also face the cost of increased weekly travel and subsistence.

Potential impact of the consultation:

Socio-economic disadvantage presents particular challenges for consultation:

• it can be complex to identify outside of geographic location and housing, which are not perfect indicators, and may obscure or disguise other forms of socio-economic disadvantage.
• Residents who are socio-economically disadvantaged may have less or no access to online activities at home or in the evening.
• Residents who are socio-economically disadvantaged may be more likely to have a lower average reading age and struggle to access complex documents. They may also struggle with confidence in participating in discussions.
• Residents who are socio-economically disadvantaged may feel less confident sharing their views and opinions in documents that may be published anonymously once the consultation process concludes and if a decision is made to implement the proposal.

Using Have Your Say will ensure that all relevant residents are able to contribute, so that the voices of all residents are included in planning and running of services.

Potential impact of any proposed closure and/or merger:

It is acknowledged that there is likely to be a negative impact on low-income households, in particular those in receipt of Free School Meals. If the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in school closure / merger there would be additional financial costs, such as a need to purchase an alternative school uniform, and potentially incur additional travel costs if mode of transport to school had to change from walking to public transport or use of private vehicles. 

Travel time may be extended too which may cause a problem for children, young people, and their families.

Through engagement, the Authority will build positive relationships with residents and particularly with communities which are at higher risk of discrimination, victimisation, and harassment. 

The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high-quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.

yes

Well-planned and Inclusive engagement activities will ensure fair and equitable representation of residents, communities, and groups, which will help create equality of opportunity across services. 

The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high-quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.

The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high-quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.

This should tackle prejudice and minimise barriers between groups, promoting understanding and normalising difference.

Engagement activities also present an opportunity for different voices to be heard and hear each other, increasing understanding and collaboration.

Potential negative impact

• Use of translation, including translation technology as well as in-person translators, to address language barriers for ESOL speakers and new arrivals including refugees and asylum seekers.
• Employment of BSL translators and use of Sign Video where appropriate to support Deaf participation.
• Use of EasyRead to enable to engagement with people with learning disabilities, lower reading abilities, and some forms of neurodiversity.
• Use of the Authority's access statement in letters, emails, and published information
• Where the Authority knows of additional needs, it will provide information in the required format or language.

• Building good relationships with communities through existing groups.
• Using inclusive and appropriate language in communication.
• Ensuring language used is appropriate and complaints/incidents reported are taken seriously.

• Where possible and appropriate, engagement opportunities will have multiple ways of participating – i.e. online, through focus groups and surveys. 

Consultation - The proposal is likely to cause significant stress and anxiety for pupils and their families and carers due to uncertainty. 

• Consultation parents/carers to understand further the potential issues the options bring.
• The Authority will listen to all concerns as part of the consultation process and communicate effectively with all stakeholders to reduce any negative impact on health and wellbeing as far as possible.
• Correspondence with parents/carers to ensure that they are aware of changes and able to support their children.

Proposed closure/merger - Pupils, families and carers are also likely to experience anxiety about supporting their children and young people through such a significant change if the school were to close. 

• If the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in school closure / merger further information will be made available for parents and carers concerning School Admissions.
• If the consultation proposals were to move forward to a decision, and the decision was to implement the proposals resulting in school closure / merger further information will be made available for parents and carers should they not wish their child to transfer to the merged school.
• The proposal will advance equality of opportunity with regard to access to a high quality curriculum offer, a wider range of qualifications and wider social opportunities.
• The Authority has a commitment for all children and young people to have the right to attend a school which provides continued and improving high quality provision for all children, where the number of pupils on roll enables school leaders to provide a diverse curriculum and which is of an appropriate size for the LA to fulfil its statutory responsibility regarding pupil places.

• Pupils with SEND and EHCPs will continue to be supported in any new school setting/ location.
• Pupils with SEND and EHCPs will continue to be supported through change and during transition.

• Pupils with SEND and EHCPs will continue to be supported in any new school setting/ location.
• Pupils with SEND and EHCPs will continue to be supported through change and during transition.

• Explore grants for low-income households, in particular those in receipt of free school meals in order to mitigate additional costs for socio-economically disadvantaged families regarding any costs associated with new uniform, travel and subsistence costs and for additional travel cost for SEND/EHCP pupils.

Impact

in progress

in progress

There is no negative impact on the organisation’s ability to meet the aims of the 2010 Equality Act, the evidence provided in this assessment shows that:

• there is no potential for unlawful discrimination,
• all opportunities to advance equality of opportunity have been taken,
• all opportunities to foster good relations have been taken, and
• there are plans in place to monitor and review the equality impacts of the proposal during implementation.

Agree