Issue - meetings

Recommendations – That:

 i.       Statutory proposals and notices be published on 27 April 2023 proposing the amalgamation of Caedmon College Whitby and Eskdale School resulting in the technical closure of Eskdale School and the Eskdale site from 31 August 2024, and an increase in the planned admission number for the amalgamated school with effect from 1 September 2024.

ii.      The Executive schedule taking a final decision on these proposals on 20 June 2023.

iii.    The recommendation from the Area Constituency Committee be noted - if the decision is made to proceed with these proposals the Executive will be required to consider the recommendation in conjunction with these proposals at the appropriate time if the proposals are published and this returns for a decision to close the school on 20 June 2023.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service detailing the outcome of a public consultation carried out by North Yorkshire County Council, at the request of the federated Governing Board of the Whitby Secondary Partnership, to amalgamate Caedmon College Whitby and Eskdale School resulting in the technical closure of Eskdale School and the Eskdale site and an increase in the planned admission number for the amalgamated school, from 1 September 2024.

It was noted that six public submissions had been received, as follows:

i. Su Crossland - Co-Chair of Governors for the Whitby Secondary Partnership (attended in person)

‘My name is Su Crossland and I am co-chair of governors for the Whitby Secondary Partnership as well as a parent of a child at Eskdale School.  Having had 2 children who each chose a different secondary school, I can appreciate the desire for choice, however, also having the responsibility to oversee the strategic direction and finances of the 2 schools in the partnership, I fully understand the need for action at this time.

I moved to the area just as the 2016 consultation to close Eskdale was getting underway and I heard a lot of comments from people at the time, but one letter from a former pupil at the school struck a chord with me.  The young lady described her desire for an alternative form of choice; she wanted a greater choice of subjects at GCSE that just wasn’t available in a small school.  And this is what we aim to offer the students of Whitby if we amalgamate Eskdale and Caedmon College to one school.

With reducing intakes at both schools, the options available to the students will also become reduced as class sizes will be too small in some subjects to make them viable.  Which in turn could mean students look elsewhere at schools that provide a wider choice of subjects, further reducing intake. 

For me it is important for my children, and all children, to get the most out of their education and have the opportunity to learn subjects that inspire them and excite them.  And I know that all children are different, with different interests, so the ability to offer a wide and inspirational curriculum is a great opportunity.

And it’s not just about the curriculum.  The potential for extra-curricular opportunities can be expanded with a larger cohort of students.  Clubs that may not have been able to run in either school because of low numbers may now have enough uptake to thrive.  Trips and activities that require minimum numbers may be easier to arrange, providing other opportunities to students that may not otherwise be possible.

So, I agree that our students need to have a choice.  But it doesn’t have to be the choice of which physical site to attend, we want to give them a greater choice of subjects and opportunities.

I know that numbers at the Whitby Sixth Form are currently low, and this is something  ...  view the full minutes text for item 220