Announcements

Essex County Council

Proposal to discontinue Edward Francis Infant
School and proposals to enlarge the capacity and
reduce the lower age limit of Edward Francis
Junior School to enable it to become an all
through primary school.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1GS intends to make the following changes:

Part 1
In accordance with section 15(1) of the Act to discontinue Edward Francis Community Infant School, Uplands Park Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 8BG, on 31 August 2012.

All statutory consultation requirements in respect of this proposal have been complied with.

It is anticipated that pupils attending Edward Francis Infant School at the time of closure will transfer onto the roll of the current Edward Francis Junior School which, under related proposals (see Part 2 of this notice), will be enlarged and its lower age limit reduced to become an all through primary school. Alternatively, admission may be sought to other schools in the area that have places available. Current and forecast primary pupil numbers for the area indicate that all of the displaced pupils can be accommodated without a need for any school within a two mile radius of Edward Francis Infant School to be required to admit more pupils than it has capacity to accommodate.

Since Edward Francis Infant School shares the same site as Edward Francis Junior School no specific arrangements are proposed for the travel of displaced pupils to other schools. It is anticipated that the majority of pupils at the school will transfer onto the roll of the enlarged Edward Francis Junior School (See Part 2 of this notice). There are sufficient primary school places available within a two mile radius of Edward Francis Infant School to enable local families to continue to walk, cycle, or use public transport to attend school.

Transport arrangements for pupils attending alternative schools will be in accordance with the County Council's published policy. However, individual cases will be considered on their merits.

Part 2
In accordance with section 19(1) of the Act, to make the following prescribed alterations:
(a) change the age range of pupils attending Edward Francis Community Junior School, Uplands Park Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 8BG, from 7 to 11 to 4 to 11 years of age;
(b) enlarge the premises of the School to increase its physical capacity to 420 places.

Both of these proposed alterations will take effect from 1 September 2012. All statutory consultation requirements in respect of this proposal have been complied with.

The current capacity of the school is 240 and the proposed capacity will be 420. The current admission number for the school is 60 and the proposed admission number will be 60. There are currently 237 pupils on roll at Edward Francis Junior School and 177 pupils on roll at Edward Francis Infant School. If the proposals are implemented the enlarged Edward Francis Junior School, providing education for pupils aged 4-11, will operate on both the existing junior and the former infant school sites, which adjoin.

This Notice is an extract from the complete proposal. Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained from School Organisation and Planning at the address provided below, by telephoning 01245 436726 or by visiting http://tinyurl.com/EssexCC-StatProps

Within six weeks from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to or make comments on, the proposals by sending them to the Executive Director for Schools, Children and Families, do School Organisation and Planning, Schools, Children and Families, Essex County Council, PO Box 4261, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1GS, or via e-mail to admin.strategy@essex.gov.uk

Signed: Dave Hill, Executive Director for Schools, Children and Families, Essex County Council Dated: 2 February 2012

Explanatory Notes
The proposals to close Edward Francis Infant School, and enlarge the premises to increase the physical capacity, and reduce the lower age limit of Edward Francis Junior School, to enable it to become an all through primary school, are related.

A copy of the County Council's Home to School Transport policy can be obtained from the School Organisation and Planning team at the address provided above.