Decision details

To approve public consultation on proposals to amalgamate Ripon Moorside Infant and Ripon Moorside Junior Schools and create specialist satellite provision for Mowbray School on the Ripon Moorside Infant School site.

PLEASE NOTE This decision was originally published on or near the date of the decision and so call in no longer applies. It has been re-published as part of the change in committee management system that we use.

The amalgamation would be achieved through the technical closure of Moorside Infant School as a separate entity and the enlargement and change of age range of Moorside Junior School to create a single 3-11 primary school on the junior school site to be known as Moorside Primary School and Nursery. Ripon Moorside Infant School was judged by Ofsted to be inadequate in March 2016 and no academy sponsor has been forthcoming and the Regional Schools Commissioner has indicated she will begin the process of revoking the Directive Academy Order to allow amalgamation.

The County Council’s Strategic Plan for SEND Education Provision 2018 – 2023 includes proposals to create new special school provision through working towards the establishment of satellite specialist provision in the Ripon area during 2018/19. It is proposed to use the Moorside Infant School to provide satellite specialist provision from Mowbray School, a special school at Bedale making provision for a wide range of complex SEN. It serves a large catchment area from Stockton-on-Tees to Harrogate. The School accommodates children aged 3-16 who all have an Education Health Care Plan.