We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevent the closure of Grange Park Primary School in Sunderland.”
Details of Petition:
“Grange Park Primary School has been an integral part of the community in Monkwearmouth Sunderland since 1931. Its closure would devastate the local community who access the services we provide, from the very young to the older members of our community who use our building and excellent facilities. Most importantly, closure would leave the children of our school with a long and dangerous walk to their new schools, crossing one of the busiest roads in the city- Newcastle Road. If you would like to help the pupils, parents and staff of Grange Park Primary to keep our school open, please sign this petition and pass it on to anyone who you feel would be affected by our schools closure. Thank you from the children, parents and staff of Grange Park Primary School.”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
You have petitioned to prevent the closure of Grange Park primary school.
It may help if we first explain about school place planning. This is the statutory responsibility of the local authority and each local authority has a responsibility to ensure there are sufficient school places to meet the needs of their population and to review the position regularly. Where there are high levels of surplus places, this can represent a poor use of resources and we expect local authorities to take action to remove these, balancing carefully the tensions between cost effectiveness, parental choice and securing high standards.
Where the local authority proposes to make changes to local school provision they must publish statutory proposals, which are then decided under local decision making arrangements. Ministers have no direct role in the process. The process for making changes to existing schools involves five statutory stages: Consultation (with all interested parties); Publication (in a local newspaper, at the entrance to the school and in a conspicuous place in the area served by the school); Representations (allowing for comments and objections to be submitted); Decision (normally by the local authority); and Implementation (where the proposal is approved).
In their role as decision maker the law requires the local authority (or where appropriate the schools adjudicator) to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State when taking a decision on proposals. The guidance makes it clear that all cases must be considered on their individual merits taking into account the competing arguments. The guidance also sets out a range of factors which must be considered which includes: the impact on local standards and diversity; the need for school places in the area; the views of interested parties; cost effectiveness etc. More information on the decision making arrangements and guidance is available on the School Organisation Website at www.dcsf.gov.uk/schoolorg
We understand that consultation has recently taken place in Sunderland and that a range of options have been discussed with primary schools across the city. We also understand that Sunderland Local Authority’s Cabinet is due to consider the findings this month and will then decide how to proceed further. However, a further statutory consultation period would be required before the authority could proceed to publish statutory proposals e.g. for school closures. If, following their consideration of the comments received, the local authority decides to proceed to publish statutory notices, you would have a further opportunity to submit your comments during the representation period. The decision maker must consider the views of those affected by the proposals when reaching a decision on whether or not to approve proposals (for further information see guidance on Closing a Mainstream School on the above website).
We do recognise that proposals to change local school provision can be upsetting and often unsettling for those involved but we hope this response is helpful in explaining the process and how decisions are reached.
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