Danesmore Park School Scrutiny Decision

Wolverhampton City Councils Scrutiny Board called in the proposals for the Development and Promotion of Primary Education in Ashmore Park.

This Scrutiny Board took place on 20th February and the request to call in the decision was made by Councillor Bradley. The Cabinet decided that the completion of the informal consultation process on proposals agreed by the Cabinet in October 2006,together with the responses received and the issues raised, be noted.

The decision of the Scrutiny Board was that the statutory notices were agreed to be published for the merger of Danesmore Park Primary and Oak Meadows schools with effect from 1st September 2007. The decision meant that the newly merged school would be operating initially on two sites and withdrawing from the Danesmore site in September 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. That formal consultation on these proposals be commenced.

The Authority consulted widely across Wednesfield in 2006 on the possibility of a federation. The scrutiny committee were informed that Danesmore Park Governors had not indicated that they were interested in a federation with another school. The Danesmore Park Governors had instead suggested an Amalgamation with St Albans Primary school. This amalgamation was not reciprocal to St Albans Governors.

As at January 2007 there were 87 or 37% surplus places Danesmore Park Primary School, and a further 135 or 16% surplus places in the other three schools in Ashmore Park.

A formal consultation process is now taking place.