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For General Release REPORT TO: Cabinet 19 March 2012

AGENDA ITEM: 7

SUBJECT: Expansion of St Andrew’s CE High School by adding a

sixth formLEAD OFFICER: Paul Greenhalgh, Executive Director of Children,

Families & Learning

CABINET MEMBER: Councillor Tim Pollard, Deputy Leader (Regeneration and Economic Development) and Cabinet Member for

Children, Young People & Learners

WARDS: ALL

CORPORATE PRIORITY/POLICY CONTEXT: National Policy:

Raising the participation (RPA) age to 17 by 2013 and 18 by 2015 Corporate Plan Priorities 2011- 2013: To protect and enhance services that matter most to residents and customers

A good start in life for children and young people Education

Children and Young People’s Plan Priorities 2010-2013

Excellence in education Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) Participation Integrated working

FINANCIAL IMPACT: 16-19 funding is determined according to national funding policy currently administered by the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) until the 31st March 2012 and by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) with effect from the 1st April 2012. The underlying principle of funding is that it calculated using national funding formula and is demand-led, i.e. an amount is paid per learner studying at an institution. The YPLA (EFA from 1st April 2012) funds colleges and academies directly, whilst funding for LA maintained schools is made via the LA for 100% transfer to the schools. There is therefore no anticipated impact on any LA held budgets. The 2010 CSR announced reductions in the funding per learner over the CSR period, meaning that efficiencies need to be made whilst ensuring there is reasonable education and training provision for local young people aged 16-19. On 12th January 2011, the Transforming Croydon Cabinet Committee (TCCC) agreed a paper

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‘Development of post-16 collaborative delivery partnerships, including secondary school expansion to include sixth form provision at existing 11-16 schools’ (Minute ref: A5/11), which identified the need for implementing a new collaborative approach to the delivery of education and training for 16-19 year olds in Croydon in light of the planned funding reductions.

FORWARD PLAN KEY DECISION REFERENCE NO: This is not a key decision.. The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out in the recommendations below 1. RECOMMENDATIONS The Cabinet is recommended to: 1.1 Authorise the Executive Director of CFL to publish a statutory notice

proposing to expand St Andrew’s CE High School to 11-18 by the addition of a sixth form with effect from September 2013.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 On 12th January 2011, the Transforming Croydon Cabinet Committee (TCCC)

agreed a paper ‘Development of post-16 collaborative delivery partnerships, including secondary school expansion to include sixth form provision at existing 11-16 schools’ (Minute ref: A5/11), which identified the need for implementing a new collaborative approach to the delivery of education and training for 16-19 year olds in Croydon.

2.2 In order to facilitate the proposed approach and to broaden the choice of local

post-16 provision, it was agreed that the borough’s four remaining 11-16 schools – Addington High School, Archbishop Lanfranc School, St Andrew’s CE high School and Thomas More Catholic School – could commence statutory consultation proposing to expand to 11-18 by adding post-16 provision.

2.3 Addington High School and Thomas More Catholic School went through

statutory consultation and representation during 2011, and approval to expand by adding a sixth from was granted at Cabinet on the 16th May 2011 (Minute ref:A52/11).

2.4 Archbishop Lanfranc School and St Andrew’s CE High School deferred the

commencement of consultation in order to develop their capacity to deliver post-16 education and training.

2.5 Following a period of capacity building, St Andrew’s CE High School undertook

formal consultation between 9th January 2012 and the 10th February 2012. Having considered the consultation feedback and comments, the School’s governing body and CFL officers are now requesting Cabinet approval to publish statutory notice proposing to expand the school by adding a sixth form with an initial admission number of 40 students in September 2013 rising to a maximum of 100 students by September 2014.

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3. DETAIL 3.1 In response to extensive research, analysis and consultation previously

undertaken, including the ‘Croydon Secondary Review’ and ‘Transforming Croydon Schools’, TCCC approved on 12th January 2011 (Minute ref: A5/11) the development of collaborative post-16 education and training partnerships across the borough. This proposal will ensure that there are appropriate progression opportunities into further education and employment with training for all 16-19 year olds, enabling local young people to access a more diverse choice of good, local education and training provision, which responds to learner, community and economic need.

This proposal is also key to the Local Authority’s planning for the implementation of ‘Raising the Participation Age’ of all 17 year olds in education or employment with training by 2013 and all 18 year olds by 2015.

Additionally, the proposed collaborative delivery model will help to achieve necessary savings required in light of post-16 funding reductions over the current Comprehensive Spending Review period.

3.2 As part of the development of a borough post-16 collaborative offer, TCCC

approved at it’s 12th January 2011 meeting the commencement of consultations proposing to expand all remaining LA maintained 11-16 schools to 11-18 by the addition of post-16 provision, with each school’s consultation commencing when it is appropriate, in line with the school’s strategic plans.

3.3 St Andrew’s CE High School conducted formal consultation from 9th January

2012 to 10th February 2012. This consultation was conducted with the full cooperation of the school’s senior management team, governing body and officers of CFL, and in accordance with statutory guidance. Full details of the consultation can be found in section 4.

Having considered all consultation responses, and received agreement from the school’s governing body to proceed with the proposals, officers of CFL are requesting Cabinet approval to publish statutory notice and invite representations. Subject to receiving Cabinet approval, the statutory notice will be published on the 4th April 2012 and representations invited until the 2nd May 2012.

Within 2 months of the end of the representation period, and following consideration of any representations received, officers of CFL will return to Cabinet with recommendations for final determination. If the LA fails to decide proposals within 2 months of the end of the representation period, the proposal and any representations received will be forwarded to the schools adjudicator for decision.

If the proposal to expand the school to 11-18 is approved, its post-16 total minimum capacity will be 40 learners from 1 September 2013, rising to a maximum of 100 by 1 September 2014. The LA will delegate the responsibility for sixth form admission arrangements to the school from the 1st September 2013.

3.4 Under the collaborative arrangements, St Andrew’s CE High School will

continue to develop its partnership with Archbishop Tenison’s CE High School. It is proposed that the two schools will have separate sixth forms but:

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students will be able to access courses not available at their ‘home’ school, giving students at both St Andrew’s and Archbishop Tenison’s a wider curriculum choice;

the curriculum offer at the schools will be complimentary and avoid duplication wherever possible;

admission criteria and timetables will be aligned; and Archbishop Tenison’s will initially ‘mentor’ St Andrew’s to build the new

sixth form’s capacity and expertise.

Following consultation with pupils, St Andrew’s proposes to offer a predominantly academic curriculum (minimum 13 A level subjects) plus BTECs in ICT, hospitality and sport. St Andrew’s is also actively working with other post-16 providers to develop collaborative working arrangements, particularly in the development of appropriate progression pathways for those pupils whose needs cannot be met by the proposed new sixth form’s curriculum offer.

3.5 As space on the school site is already limited and capital funding is not currently available for the school’s redevelopment, the school is proposing to accommodate the additional students by: Implementation of a staggered school day timetable

Whilst years 7 to 11 will continue to attend a traditional school day, it is proposed that the sixth form will operate between the hours of 11am and 5.30pm. This will enable better utilisation of existing classroom space and staggered arrival/ departure times from the site. This will also enable St Andrew’s sixth form students to go to the partner school for classes in the mornings and partner school students can attend St Andrew’s in the late afternoon. This will reduce the impact of travelling between two schools.

Refurbishment of existing accommodation An area has been identified as suitable for a sixth form common room and study area. This will be refurbished prior to the opening of the proposed sixth form. The school intends to pay for this refurbishment through fund raising activities.

Use of existing teaching space The proposed curriculum has partly been determined by the need to utilise existing teaching accommodation, for example the recently installed catering facility will be used to deliver the BTEC in Hospitality.

3.6 The information contained in this report will be accessible as part of the Council’s Publication Scheme, maintained under the FOI Act. Information held by the Council supporting this report may be accessible under that Act, subject to any relevant exemptions.

3.7 The proposals will ensure an improved opportunity in education and therefore

support the local authority’s compliance with the First protocol, Article 2 (Right to Education) of the ECHR.

4. CONSULTATION 4.1 Formal consultation took place from Monday 9th January 2012 to noon on

Friday 10th February 2012, therefore complying with the minimum statutory period of 4 weeks.

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4.2 Letters, outlining the proposals and inviting comments, were sent by the school to: families of pupils, teachers and staff at the school; any LA likely to be affected by the proposals, in particular neighbouring

authorities where there may be significant cross-border movement of pupils;

the governing bodies, teachers and staff of any school that may be affected by the proposals;

the families of pupils of any school that may be affected by the proposals;

any trade unions representing staff at the school or schools affected by the proposals;

diocesan authorities and faith groups; Young People’s Learning Agency; MPs whose constituencies include the schools subject to the proposals

or whose constituents are likely to be affected by the proposals; and such other parties as appeared to the proposers to be appropriate, e.g.

local residents and councillors. 4.3 An article, outlining the proposals and inviting comments, was published in the

Croydon Schools Bulletin dated 13th January 2012. 4.4 A public meeting was held at St Andrew’s CE High School at 7.30pm on

Thursday 26th January 2012. Details of this meeting were advised in consultation letters and the Schools Bulletin article (4.2 and 4.3 above). The consultation panel consisted of the school’s headteacher, chair of governing body, the proposed head of sixth form and a Croydon Council CFL officer. 17 people attended the meeting: parents (6), neighbours (4), parent governors (4), governors (2) and staff (1). Following a presentation of the proposals, a number of questions/comments were made and responses provided. These are recorded in the full meeting notes which can be found in Appendix A.

4.5 Summary of consultation responses: In addition to the responses made at the

formal consultation meeting and recorded in the meeting minutes, a further 10 responses were received in writing and summarised below:

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Written consultation responses received from:

Number of responses

Summary of responses:

Parents 6 Statements fully supporting the proposal – 3

Question regarding consultation protocol – 1

Supports proposal but requested assurance about capacity for the school to recruit and retain good teachers, and that current pupils will not be disadvantaged during the development of the sixth form – 1

Concern regarding the current capacity of the school building and ability to accommodate additional students – 1

Local residents 2 Impact of the proposals on the local area and residents, specifically: increased traffic, noise, litter, any plans for new buildings - 2

Parent governors 1 Statement fully supporting the proposal

Local post-16 providers

1 Statement fully supporting the proposal

With the exception of one anonymous consultation response received from a resident, the School replied to all responses received. A record of consultation responses and replies can be found in Appendix B.

5 FINANCIAL AND RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS

1 Revenue and Capital consequences of report recommendations

Calculation and payment of 16-19 funding is determined by national policy and methodology published annually by the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) until its abolition on the 31st March 2012. With effect from the 1st April 2012 these roles and responsibilities will transfer to the Education Funding Agency (EFA). Academies and colleges are funded directly by the YPLA. Funding for LA maintained schools is routed via the LA for 100% onward transfer to the schools. The Local Authority has no influence on the level of funding, which is determined by the actual number of learners studying at an institution and calculated in accordance with national methodology. There is no impact on the general fund.

Statutory process costs will be very minimal and will involve the cost for

publication of statutory notices in the local press.

2 The effect of the decision These proposals are to use existing resources more effectively and efficiently,

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plus provide robust business cases to the YPLA/EFA to secure any additional funding available for new provision. The aim of which is to improve the quality of local education and training, meet local needs and address gaps in provision.

If the proposal to expand St Andrew’s CE High School by adding a sixth form is approved, the LA will negotiate appropriate first year funding with the EFA for the 2013/14 academic year. National funding methodology will apply in subsequent years.

3 Risks

National funding methodology operates on a lagged learner funding principle – funding for one year is based upon the actual number of learners in an institution in the previous year. e.g. sixth form funding for in 2011/12 is based on the number of sixth form students on a school’s roll in 2010/11. Therefore, there is a risk that schools may overstretch themselves financially in order to establish and grow sixth form provision. It is the school’s responsibility to manage growth appropriately and ensure that this does not impact adversely on 11-16 delivery.

4 Options Not applicable

5 Future savings/efficiencies As funding is derived directly from the YPLA, there will be no direct savings or costs to the local authority. However, implementation of a collaborative post-16 offer will improve viability, enabling the schools to operate sixth form provision more efficiently. Approved by Katharine Eberhart, Head of Finance CFL

6. COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL SOLICITOR AND MONITORING OFFICER 6.1 The Solicitor to the Council comments that statutory guidance establishes

procedures under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 for adding a sixth forms to a maintained school. Those bringing forward proposals to enlarge the capacity of a school or alter the upper age limit to add a sixth form need to carry out a four stage process of consultation, publication of a statutory notice, representation and making a decision. The process set out within this report is conducted in line with that process. Approved by J Harris Baker, Head of social care and education law on behalf of the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer

7. HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT 7.1 The development and delivery of collaborative 16-19 models will be led by the

borough’s schools, colleges and other providers, via Economic Wellbeing sub-group of the Children and Families Partnership, and initially facilitated by the School Improvement Team.

7.2 The statutory process to expand the school by adding a sixth form within

collaborative arrangements will be conducted by the school’s governing body supported by the School Improvement Team initially.

7.3 Any resultant staffing increase/changes should follow the schools’ approved policies and procedures. Approved by Atia Williams, HR Business Partner on behalf of the Director Workforce and Community Relations

8. EQUALITIES IMPACT 8.1 The research and analysis (Croydon Secondary Review, Transforming Croydon

Schools and 16-19 Commissioning Statement 2011/12) undertaken in preparing these proposals identified specific groups of young people whose needs were not currently being met in full. Therefore, the proposals will ensure that more Croydon young people aged 16-19 will have access to good quality and appropriate education and training opportunities. Additionally an EIA will be undertaken as part of the statutory process and used to inform final decisions.

8.2 All providers of 16-19 education and training are required to undertake equality

assessments and monitoring. This is assessed and graded by Ofsted, in addition to annual provider self assessment.

9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 9.1 None 10. CRIME AND DISORDER REDUCTION IMPACT 10.1 Successful implementation of the proposals will increase engagement of local

young people in education and training, which is proven to reduce youth crime and disorder.

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CONTACT OFFICER: Julie Ralphs – Improvement Adviser Commissioning, Standards & Quality Assurance x 60893 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: Transforming Croydon Cabinet Committee, 12th January 2011: Development of

post-16 collaborative delivery partnerships, including secondary school expansion.

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Appendix A: Formal consultation meeting notes (Personal details removed for confidentiality reasons)

Sixth Form Consultation Meeting St Andrew’s CE High School

Thursday the 26 January 2012 7.30 pm

Notes

1. Welcome and introductions by Headteacher 2. Chair of Governor’s speech

• Good evening, everyone and may I thank you for coming. I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little of St Andrew’s plans for the new sixth form and to explain something of the ethos and thinking behind those plans.

• During the course of this meeting, we hope to be able to outline: where we are to date, where we are going and how we’re going to get there, but, most importantly, why a sixth form at St Andrew’s. Over the next ten minutes or so, I should like to focus mainly on that last part – the ‘why?’ All the governors and staff at the school are truly elated about this project and I trust that you will go away tonight with equal enthusiasm.

• As with any scheme, we had to start first with the funding and I am happy to tell you, before you start reaching for your cheque-books, that the funding is currently well in hand.

• The need for a sixth form for St Andrew’s arises because so many of our excellent students are eager to continue their education here at the school – which says as much about the standard of teaching, the environment for learning and ethos of St Andrew’s, as it does about the students themselves.

• We project that we shall be able to accommodate at least forty students in the first year and, already, I have no doubt that these places will be quickly filled from the current Year 10. Data also indicates that around 50% of 16 year-olds currently look outside Croydon’s state sector to continue their education. When the requirement to remain in education or training until you are 18 becomes statutory, it is clear that there will be no shortage of students to attract to the school.

• It would be a terrible shame to see any young person become one of the thousand NEETs, currently estimated to be in the Croydon area, for want of a sixth-form place. (For those of you not up on current acronyms, a NEET is someone not in education, employment or training.) That is another reason why this project is so important. And we are thinking not just of the individual students. It is important for the good of the wider society. Whether you are a parent, a prospective employer or someone with a vested interest in having a funded state pension when they retire, we all need our young people to have opportunities within their local community to develop their learning and skills beyond the age of 16. Our new sixth form is about playing our part in doing the very best for our young people, giving them the education they deserve and the education they need in order to fulfil their future promise and reach their full potential.

• It sometimes seems as if Croydon, as a town, does not have the best possible image. Much of this, of course, is fuelled by adverse media coverage but this is why it is incumbent upon successful institutions, and particularly schools like St Andrew’s, to take a positive stance and provide the best opportunities possible for the youth of today so that they may become the upstanding, positive citizens of tomorrow. The more we contribute in that way within our own community, the better it will be for Croydon in the years ahead.

• The new sixth form will offer academic courses predominantly although there are plans to run some vocational courses as well; St Andrew’s has always been an inclusive school and that will continue into the new sixth form.

• There are also innovative solutions proposed to make the best use of available resources. For example, we may stagger the school day to make more efficient use of our accommodation. We may also be able to pool resources with other local providers. There will be opportunities for staff to develop professionally.

• What is particularly pleasing about St Andrew’s proposed sixth form is the massive benefit it will bring to those students who would rather not uproot themselves at the end of Key Stage 4 to find a new school, perhaps with a different ethos and culture, certainly with different teaching staff, probably having to leave old friends to forge new relationships with peers and teachers. For so many, continuity at this time is something they prize.

• For those students studying at St Andrew’s in Key Stages 3 and 4, a sixth form will bring benefits to their learning as, over time, their teachers inevitably acquire a more intimate knowledge of post-16 courses and standards. This will all filter down to the younger years and help create a richer educational provision.

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• For our teaching staff, having the opportunity to teach post-16, after training, enriches them professionally. Recruitment to St Andrew’s and the retention of teaching staff becomes easier as colleagues, particularly those at the start of their careers, do not feel the pressure to move on to broaden their experience.

• A sixth form will give St Andrew’s a resource to enhance the present and the future. It means we can offer our Year 11s an alternative to leaving school, giving them every opportunity to make the most of themselves in the place where they are best known. Launching a new sixth form is the first step in a process which will mature and grow over the years. It is a step towards that point in the future where studying at St Andrew’s will be the first choice of the majority.

• I am sure that many of you still have a long list of questions about the logistics, the overall plan, the detailed scheduling and so on – in other words, the ‘who?’, ‘what?’, ‘where?’, and ‘when?’ as I have only touched briefly on these.

• Hopefully, you are now able to cross the ‘why?’ off your list. I will now hand over to Mrs Simon who will provide you with more detail. Thank you.

3. Presentation by Associate Headteacher

• When? o St Andrew’ Sixth Form will begin to recruit students in September 2012 o Students will first join St Andrew’s Sixth Form in September 2013

• How? o Curriculum o Sixth Form Hours o Accommodation o Partnerships o Ethos o Admissions

• Curriculum o St Andrew’s proposes to offer a strong academic curriculum with at least 13 academic subjects and 3

vocational courses, which will prepare students for University and work o In the first few years St Andrew’s plans to have a large curriculum offer in the Sixth Form that will

prepare students for University and the world of work • Proposed Option Blocks:

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 4 Enrichment

BTEC ICT/Computing AS Art BTEC Sport Biology Photography

French BTEC Hospitality Mathematics English Literature History of Art

History Chemistry Physics German HOPE

Mathematics English Literature Music Technology Religious Studies

Music Geography Spanish Drama

o All subjects are at AS level unless otherwise stated o All Yr 10 students have been interviewed and were asked what subjects they would like to study at

sixth form, this has formed the basis for the proposed option blocks o During enrichment sessions there will be a rolling programme of enrichment activities, preparing for

university, work skills and covering the RS element of KS5 o Students could also take an option at one of our partner schools

• If a student chose to study: o Mathematics AS o Chemistry AS o Physics AS o Statistics AS

• Sixth Form Hours and Accommodation o The current proposal is that students work to a staggered school day timetable. An example of this is:

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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9 – 10am

10 – 11am

Statistics at partner school

11 – 12pm Mathematics

Statistics at partner school Chemistry

12 – 1pm LUNCH

1 – 2pm Enrichment

2 – 3pm Chemistry

Academic Tutor

Statistics at partner school Mathematics Physics

3 – 3.30pm BREAK

3.30 – 4.30pm Mathematics

4.30 – 5.30pm Physics

Enrichment Chemistry Physics Mathematics

• Accommodation

o The renovations to the T block will be continued to create a Sixth Form common room and study area fund currently being secured

• The Sixth Form timetable o The school day may end later depending on agreements with our partner schools o The staggered school day allows students to choose from a range of option subjects delivered by St

Andrew’s and Archbishop Tenison’s o It also enables St Andrew’s to accommodate Sixth Form teaching

• Partnerships o We have already made a reciprocal agreement with Archbishop Tenison’s that students can choose

courses across the two schools o We are now embarking upon a partnership network with other Croydon Schools to offer the widest

range of provision available working on the travelling arrangements • Ethos

o St Andrew’s Sixth Form will maintain a high level of pastoral and academic support and fulfil statutory obligations for religious education

o Students will be able to join in the activities of the wider school community and Croydon community

• Admission Criteria o St Andrew’s will accept applications from all students in Croydon and the surrounding area who

meet our admission criteria and the admission criteria for courses at partner schools o Admissions Criteria to be completed by the end of the year

4. Questions and Answers

i. (parent) Will the admissions criteria for KS5 be similar to the KS3 criteria? • St Andrew’s will be a secular Sixth form, but would expect students that apply to be sympathetic

with the Christian ethos. In many ways the criteria will not be radically different from the Tenison’s Sixth form criteria currently in use.

ii. (parent) A concern that there are some St Andrew’s staff that will not have taught at A level before, how are you going to ensure that standards are maintained? • Over the past two years every new recruit to the school will have recent experience of teaching at

KS5 or are perfectly able. We have training lined up for March with partner schools where we have identified the staff with the potential to teach KS5, the next stage will be the training with the examination boards. We have an 18 month run in period. It is critical to St Andrew’s that the first wave of results are sensationally good, there is no point in starting a sixth form when the teaching is substandard. With the expansion in the school there will be expansion in the staff team, if there are areas which need additional staffing we will ensure that these areas are a priority. We have been actively preparing for the last 2 years and building the staff team appropriately.

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iii. (parent/governor) Aware of the arrangement that you have with Archbishop Tenision’s – to what extent is it necessary to enter into partnerships with other schools? • The reason for partnering with other school along with Tenison’s is to give our students the widest

possible option at KS5. We do not want students to be limited by the institution they are in, we want them to be encouraged to continue with their education, we ensure that will happen by partnering other schools.

iv. (parent/governor) Which other schools are you looking to form partnerships with? • Shirley High School, Edenham High School and Addington High School.

v. (neighbour) – What is the time scale of the building work and what disruption can we expect? • There is currently no funding for additional buildings; the proposal is to use our existing buildings

with the staggered day using existing class rooms. Very conscious that the school is substandard and would like to see that improve, every Head teacher wants the best for their students.

vi. (parent) How are you going to have capacity to cater for the KS5 exams as well as the KS4 exams that already take up the use of the hall for a long period, also are there any planned for some additional sport provision? • St Andrews will have priority rights to the new leisure facility at five ways, this will be available to

the school at certain points in the day, there will be a cost involved. • The issue about exams is something that we will have to accommodate. The A level examination

timetable is managed by the same organisation as the GCSE and are designed to dove tail and should work in harmony. There is another provision in the T block that could also be used for exams. We are anticipating additional needs.

vii. (parent) How are the students going to get to the partner schools? • We are be using a model already in place at some of the partner schools that allows travelling time

in the timetable and ensures that students do not travel more than 3 times a week, this would work well with the staggered day.

viii. (parent) When you say that the funding secured that does not mean guaranteed? • The funding is secure if the consultation process goes through, we know there is a need for sixth

form places in Croydon, and therefore the funding stream that comes from central government essentially follows the student and so will come to St Andrew’s.

• If and when the sixth form opens Croydon LA with negotiate with central government. Croydon has sufficient demand. There is a set amount of money per student; it will be up to the school to manage their resources. There is an expectation at sixth form that students buy at least some of their books.

ix. (parent/governor) There seems to be a limitation in terms of the blocks of subjects that can be studied at St Andrew’s, is there the option to study a subject that St Andrew’s offers at Tenison’s or one of the partner schools? Would their be the opportunity for GCSE re-sits? • The options blocks are currently provisional, we will consult with the students and will tailor them

to their needs, but it would be possible to take that subject at another school as long as it fits in with the timetable.

• One of the reasons that Tenison’s is keen to partner with St Andrew’s is that some students have been not able to study the subject combination of their choice but by St Andrew’s coming into the partnership there will be greater combinations across the partnership.

• If a student does not get the qualification necessary for the admissions criteria and there are extenuating circumstances that the school knows about then some comprises could be made. We do have duty of care that we do not enrol students on to courses that they are not capable of. There will be information and guidance during Year 11.

x. (parent/governor) What will the admission criteria for the sixth form look like? • The admissions criteria will look fairly similar to the Tenison’s criteria - 5 B grades. It is likely that

we will continue with this as there needs to be compatibility of student’s qualifications. The Governors on the admissions committee have still to look at the criteria but it will take in to consideration all the partner schools. Addington tends to specialise on non academic vocational courses and so the criteria for these courses may be different.

xi. (parent/governor) If a child wants to apply to St Andrew’s and wants to take a subject at a partner school do they have to apply to both schools? • They would apply to St Andrew’s and then we would buy in the provision from the other school.

xii. (neighbour) Being a local resident how do you think these extra pupils will impact the area at the beginning and end of the day? • There will be more movement and the roads will be busier, however the sixth form will not be

required on site all the time, the sixth form timetable will be starting and finishing at different times to the rest of the school. There will be additional movement during the day but not exaggerated at 8.30 and 3.30pm. There is certainly going to be an impact on the local roads. We address and will

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continue to address the issue of relationships with the local residents and our student’s street and road etiquette.

xiii. (neighbour) With the new sixth form pupils of a different age range, there could be a whole new set of problems • There always will be a change with the shift in clientele. St Andrew’s does not recruit the same

students now as it did 10 years ago, there have been dips and there have been improvements. In the last 8 years there has been a marked improvement of behaviour inside the school and out. Now, by and large, students behave well and better than most secondary school. There is an increase in applications from Parish Church Junior School which is very encouraging. The most important thing is that we are very aware of our responsibility to our near neighbours and to the local community and we will always solve problems when they arise. Equally we will be determined that there will be positive contributions to the local community. Over the past few years our Yr 11 students have been working with the elderly in the Ellis David Alms houses teaching them IT skills and more recently assisting with a youth club at Victoria House. This will grow and more of our students will spend time in the local community, this enables them to become responsible adults in the future.

xiv. (neighbour) There is confrontation every week with parents picking students up from school, more cars will mean more confrontation, is there any plan to tackle this? • We are aware that St Andrew’s is situated in a road with another school and there are times in the

day when the traffic in the road is horrendous, the majority of these cars are Parish Church School parents. There are no plans for any additional parking provision on the St Andrew’s site, we have tried before and have not been granted planning permission and so it will not be possible for students to bring cars to school. There should not be an increase in cars at the beginning and end of the day as the sixth form hours are likely to be staggered. The sixth form day will not coincide with the current St Andrew’s day or the Parish Church day. Any issues related to courtesy that are reported will be dealt with as soon as possible. Initially there will be an extra 40 students in the sixth form with an additional 40 in year 2 this will result in approx 10-20 students leaving or arriving at one time. The school is happy to meet any residents to discuss further.

xv. (parent) Will the partner schools be having an extended day like St Andrew’s? • At the moment Tenison’s has no plans to change their day and not sure about the other school as we

have not secured the partnership yet. One of the things I would like to make clear is that anything like this is organic and we are in the business of enhancing KS5 provision for our students and for Croydon. If the model is successful other schools will look at this. We are moving into an era where self finance is a critical issue, there may well be in 5-6 yrs time discussion about sixth form education working hand in hand with part time jobs, there are many possibilities.

xvi. (parent) Are you envisaging that a student at St Andrew’s could take a subject at one other school or could it be two schools? • This could happen; we would have to look at the feasibility of the timetable and the compatibility of

the subjects. The critical principle is that as many students as possible can have access to the right courses, achieving their full potential.

xvii. C Hubbard (parent) Where do you see the main funds being spent? • On staffing, there are currently very few teachers at St Andrew’s not teaching to their full capacity.

xviii. (parent) If a student has a class at a partner school where will they register? • Each school will be using the same computer programme, SIMs lesson monitor, to register students

and each school will be able to see the other schools register, keeping a constant track of each student.

xix. (parent) How will information be shared with other schools? • There will be a member of St Andrew’s staff dealing with all pastoral care who will liaise with the

head of sixth form at the partner schools. xx. (parent) – Part of being in the sixth form is about giving something back to the school and also all the

co-curricular activities, with the staggered day and different lunch times how will this be fitted in? • This is a key part of school life. We will consider looking at how the co-curricular activities are

timetabled during the day to enable sixth form students to attend. • The enrichment periods will be part of building in with the rest of the school community with a

rolling programme of activities. • We will look at ways to work with the partner schools, it may be possible for St Andrew’s and

Tenison’s to combine music groups and sporting activities. • We do not want to dilute the Yr 10 and 11 contribution to the school, we would like to see the sixth

form having additional roles, possibly in the community xxi. (parent) Do you see the sixth form as being separate from the rest of the school, will they be part of the

house system?

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• There are a lot of details that we have not fully engaged with yet. We do see the sixth form as a slightly different concept to the rest of the school. The house system would remain for KS3/4 with the sixth form possibly acting as mentors and role models rather than participants.

xxii. (parent/governor) Have you given any thought to how the academic monitoring will take place in the partner schools • Using SIMs programme, there will be an academic tutor based at St Andrew’s for all students and

they will follow the academic profile. The frequency of reporting is still in negotiation but likely to be 6 times a year. Data would be feed from partner school to school where the student is enrolled.

xxiii. (neighbour) Is religious grounds still a feature of the admissions criteria? • Yes it is a feature, but only one of a number of criteria, there are also community places which are

based on geographical distance from the school. There has been a reduction of numbers of Christian families applying to St Andrew’s and Tenison’s.

We will keep you informed. Thank you for attending. Any questions about the proposal can be directed to the school: sixform@st-andrews.croydon.sch.uk and we will respond to those queries as soon as possible. Meeting closed at 8.45pm

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Appendix B. Written consultation responses and replies (Personal details removed for confidentiality reasons) From: Sent: 06 January 2012 12:22 To: sixthform Subject: St Andrew's School - 6th Form proposal Dear Sirs, I fully support the proposal of adding a 6th form to St Andrew's C of E Voluntary Aided High School. With the general lack of opportunities for 16-18 year olds in Croydon, I think this would be an excellent way to give them more employment opportunities through extra diverse training and development. I look forward to hearing more about this proposal. Kind regards School response From: sixthform Sent: 16 January 2012 13:50 To: Subject: RE: St Andrew's School - 6th Form proposal Dear Thank you for your feedback about St Andrew's school adding a sixth form. I hope that you are able to attend our consultation evening on the 26th of January at 7.30pm. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher From: Parent Sent: 06 January 2012 19:11 To: sixthform Subject: Initial Response Sirs, I have just received your letter announcing the consultation. My immediate concern is that you have not identified how the school will cope with the additional students. The school has progressively been enlarged, overwhelming core areas which are now grossly inadequate - corridor overcrowding is frequently commented on, and my kids have been unable to purchase lunch several times due to the canteen being inadequate. There is nowhere to sit when they do have food. We already have many temporary classrooms crowding the site (they are very inefficient with space) so surely you don't plan to add more.

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Knowing how you intend to deal with these issues, and how many more teachers you plan to recruit is essential information you should be providing so that meaningful consultation responses can be obtained. If this key information can be released I will respond with a more comprehensive set of views on this and other matters like the 6th form curriculum. Regards, School response From: sixthform Sent: 16 January 2012 14:26 To: Subject: RE: Initial Response Dear Thank you for your response to the Sixth Form consultation letter. As a way to prevent overcrowding we are currently proposing to stagger the school day for the Sixth form so that they would run on a later timetable. For example Sixth Form stud3ents may attend lessons from 11am-6pm. We are also proposing that the Catering arrangements for the Sixth Form are kept entirely separate from the catering arrangements of the lower school be that by time or space. As to teacher recruitment, this is a matter that can only be known once we know how many students will join St Andrew's Sixth Form. Once we have finished recruiting in autumn 2012 we will have a firm idea of the number of teachers we will need to recruit to cover the new Sixth Form curriculum. I hope that you will be able to attend the consultation evening on January the 26th at 7.30pm to hear about our proposals in more detail. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher From: Parent Sent: 25 January 2012 15:01 To: sixthform Subject: Sixth form Dear School I highly recommend this proposal. Many Thanks School response From: sixthform Sent: 01 February 2012 14:57 To: Subject: RE: Sixth form Dear

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Thank you for your feedback about St Andrew's school adding a sixth form. It is gratifying to receive such a positive response. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher From: Sent: 06 January 2012 12:22 To: sixthform Subject: St Andrew's School - 6th Form proposal Dear Sirs, I fully support the proposal of adding a 6th form to St Andrew's C of E Voluntary Aided High School. With the general lack of opportunities for 16-18 year olds in Croydon, I think this would be an excellent way to give them more employment opportunities through extra diverse training and development. I look forward to hearing more about this proposal. Kind regards School response From: sixthform Sent: 16 January 2012 13:50 To: Subject: RE: St Andrew's School - 6th Form proposal Dear Thank you for your feedback about St Andrew's school adding a sixth form. I hope that you are able to attend our consultation evening on the 26th of January at 7.30pm. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher From: Parent Sent: 20 January 2012 12:20 To: sixthform Subject: Re: Important 6th form consultation document from St Andrews CE High School Dear Please advise what the protocol is in relation to students. Are they expected/permitted to attend this evening – or is it purely for parents/carers.

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Many thanks Kindest regards School response

From: sixthform Sent: 20 January 2012 12:22 To: Subject: RE: Important 6th form consultation document from St Andrews CE High School

Dear All stakeholders including students are invited to attend the consultation evening but there is no obligation to do so. Many thanks Associate Head teacher ____________________________________________________________________________ From: Parent Sent: 06 January 2012 17:41 To: sixthform Subject: Consultation on adding a Sixth Form at St Andrew's C of E Voluntary Aided High School Dear Governors We currently have a son in year 9 and would gladly welcome the addition of a six form facility at our school and fully support a move to build this facility. Best wishes School response From: sixthform Sent: 16 January 2012 14:09 To: Subject: RE: Consultation on adding a Sixth Form at St Andrew's C of E Voluntary Aided High School Thank you for your feedback about St Andrew's school adding a sixth form. I hope that you are able to attend our consultation evening on the 26th of January at 7.30pm. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher From: Sent: 21 January 2012 14:50 To: sixthform Subject: Sixth form

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Dear Headteacher and Governors, Thank you for your information regarding your proposed sixth form. We live in the xxxxxxx in xxxxxxxxxxx.. Our garden has your school field on two sides. In the light of this we would like to ask for your comments on the following points:

1. Sports and use of the field – has any consideration been given to the activities of older, and therefore bigger and stronger, young people in the field? We sometimes get stray balls into our garden and are concerned that nuisance from sporting activities (and occasional break time litter) would increase if more students attend your school.

2. Buildings – are there any new buildings planned? These could potentially affect our outlook.

3. Noise – more students will mean an increase in noise both in and outside of the school premises.

4. School day - will the duration of your school day remain the same or will it be extended?

5. Traffic – more students will mean an increase in local traffic in an area that is already stretched, particularly at the beginning and end of the three schools’ days. What parking provision will you provide for your sixth formers who may wish to drive to school?

We regret that we are unable to attend your meeting on 26 January due to prior engagements, but look forward to hearing from you. Yours, Local resident

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School response From: sixthform Sent: 01 February 2012 15:16 To: Subject: RE: Sixth form Dear 1. St Andrew’s will have priority rights to the new leisure facility at Five Ways, this will be available to the school at certain points in the day and will help to reduce the pressure placed on the school field by Sports lessons. 2. There is currently no funding for additional buildings; the proposal is to use our existing buildings with the staggered day using existing class rooms. 3. There always will be a change with the shift in clientele. St Andrew’s does not recruit the same students now as it did 10 years ago, there have been dips and there have been improvements. Now, by and large, students behave well and better than most secondary school. The most important thing is that we are very aware of our responsibility to our near neighbours and to the local community and we will always try to solve problems when they arise. Equally we are determined that there will be positive contributions to the local community. Initially there will be extra 40 students in the sixth form with an additional 40 in year 2 this will result in approx 10-20 students leaving or arriving at one time which should not unduly increase the noise levels in the area. 4 The sixth form students will not be required on site all the time; the sixth form timetable will be starting and finishing at different times to the rest of the school. It is currently envisioned that the sixth form day will start at 11am and finish at 5.30pm. There will be additional movement during the day but not exaggerated at 8.30 and 3.30pm. We address and will continue to address the issue of relationships with the local residents and our students’ street and road etiquette. 5. We are aware that St Andrew’s is situated in a road with another school and there are times in the day when the traffic in the road is horrendous, the majority of these cars are Parish Church School parents. There are no plans for any additional parking provision on the St Andrew’s site, we have tried before and have not been granted planning permission and so it will not be possible for students to bring cars to school. There should not be an increase in cars at the beginning and end of the day as the sixth form hours are likely to be staggered. The sixth form day will not coincide with the current St Andrew’s day or the Parish Church day. Any issues related to courtesy that are reported will be dealt with as soon as possible.

I hope that this email has gone some way to addressing your concerns. Please email me again if there are any more queries.

Associate Head Teacher

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From: Local resident Sent: 04 February 2012 17:26 To: sixthform Subject: RE: Sixth form Dear, Many thanks for your reply which addresses our concerns. Please keep us informed of any future developments with the project. Good wishes, Local resident ____________________________________________________________________________ From: Parent and Governor Sent: 23 January 2012 13:44 To: sixthform Subject: Proposals for a 6th form

Dear Headteacher

I would like to indicate my strong support for a 6th form at St Andrews.

Yours sincerely

Parent and Governor

School response From: sixthform Sent: 01 February 2012 14:59 To: Subject: RE: Proposals for a 6th form Dear Thank you for your feedback about St Andrew's school adding a sixth form. It is gratifying to receive such a positive response. Many Thanks Associate Head Teacher ____________________________________________________________________

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From: Parent Sent: 06 January 2012 14:28 To: sixthform Subject: Sixth form consultation response I write in response to the letter setting out the proposed sixth form at St Andrew's from 2013. I am a parent of a pupil of year 9, and also of a pupil in year 12 who left St Andrew's in summer 2011 for A level education at a sixth form elsewhere. I would be in favour of a sixth form for St Andrew's because I would expect the presence of a sixth form to be an aid to recruiting and retaining good teachers (throughout the school), and because I would expect an overall positive effect on the school finances from the additional pupils. I also think that additional sixth form places are a good thing generally. I think it will be important to be clear what is the aim and scope of the new sixth form so that parents are able to assess whether it will be suitable for their child. I do not expect that my daughter (currently year 9) will apply for a place, because it is likely that we will be looking for a sixth form with a proven commitment to high academic standards, with a view to a university education. On the basis of my experience with the school in the lower years I do not expect that St Andrew's will be geared to deliver this. I would be concerned if my daughter would be less likely to get a place at another institution because St Andrew's has a sixth form. I am also concerned at the amount of management time which will be absorbed in preparing for this new step, when the school currently struggles with basic organisational matters such a curriculum delivery and communication. I would like to be reassured that additional resources will be made available in this preparatory phase of the development to ensure that current pupils are not disadvantaged. Parent

School response

From: sixthform Sent: 16 January 2012 14:07 To: Subject: RE: Sixth form consultation response

Thank you for your positive comments about adding a Sixth Form to St Andrew’s. We also feel that an addition of a Sixth Form will aid the recruitment and retention of good teachers. I have tried to answer all of your queries in point form below:

1. I am sorry to hear that you think that St Andrew’s will not be geared to deliver a Sixth Form with high academic standards. The Sixth Form we are planning to deliver will have a strong academic focus with the majority of subjects that are delivered being academic in nature.

2. I have passed on you concerns about your daughter’s academic experience to her head of house.

3. For additional information about the scope of the new Sixth Form I hope you are able to attend the consultation evening on the 26th of January. If you are not

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able to attend would you like me to email the presentations from that evening to you?

4. Your daughter will still be able to apply to any Sixth Form for which she meets the admissions criteria and the fact that St Andrew’s has a Sixth Form will in no way impact on her being accepted.

5. A member of staff has been recruited who has taken on some of my duties so that I can focus on developing a Sixth Form. By doing this we are able to prepare a Sixth Form without having an impact on curriculum delivery.

6. If you have concerns about curriculum delivery and communication in the current school, please feel free to email me the details at xxxxxxxxx@st-andrews.croydon.sch.uk

I hope that this email has gone some way to addressing your concerns. Please email me again if there are any more queries. Associate Head Teacher

From: Parent Sent: 17 January 2012 10:06 To: sixthform Subject: Re: Sixth form consultation response Thank you for your very helpful and comprehensive reply. I have another engagement on the evening of the consultation, so I would appreciate copies of the presentations by email please. I will reply to you at the other email address with my concerns with the current school.

From: sixthform Sent: 01 February 2012 15:01 To: Subject: RE: Sixth form consultation response Dear Here are the full minutes from the consultation evening. They include the presentations that were given. Associate Head Teacher

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From: Local College Sent: 02 February 2012 11:52 To: sixthform Subject: Consultation on adding a Sixth Form response Dear Headteacher and Chair of Governors Further to your letter dated 5th January 2012, we fully support your proposals and wish you well for the future. Kind regards Principal The following letter was also received within the consultation period, but a response could not be provided as it was anonymous and the address given has multiple residences.

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