Information Required under Annex B of the Department for Education’s “Opening and closing maintained schools - Statutory guidance for proposers and decision-makers” (November 2019)

St Barnabas Church of England Primary School

Albany Road, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5LQ

SECTION 15 OF THE EDUCATION AND INSPECTIONS ACT 2006 (AS AMENDED BY THE EDUCATION ACT 2011) and the SCHOOL ORGANISATION (ESTABLISHMENTS AND DISCONTINUANCE OF SCHOOLS) REGULATIONS 2013

Proposal to close St Barnabas Church of England Primary School on 31st August 2023.

1. Contact Details

This information is the Full Proposal published by Bristol City Council, to close St Barnabas Church of England Primary School, Albany Road, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5LQ.

2. Implementation

The proposal is to discontinue St Barnabas Church of England Primary School with effect from 31 August 2021. The proposal is not related to any other school organisation proposal.

3. Reason for closure

St Barnabas is a one form entry C of E Primary school. The school has consistently admitted fewer pupils than the capacity which has had a significant impact on the school’s financial situation.

Projected numbers of pupils in future years indicate there will be a surplus of pupil places within the immediate area which will increase will continue for the foreseeable future. This means that the number of pupils will remain low and this would result in the school continuing to have significant financial issues for the long term. This makes the school unsustainable and unable to provide a good quality education.

Over a number of years, the Governors and Bristol City Council have considered a number of options to improve the long-term viability of the school, none of which have proved effective for the long term.

Owing to the school’s financial situation and low numbers of pupils, the school is not viable to be taken on within a Multi-academy Trust.

4. Pupil Numbers and Admission

St Barnabas is a C of E Primary Voluntary Controlled School for children aged 4 – 11 and offers up to 30 reception places each year, with a total capacity for 210 pupils across all year groups. Although numbers of pupils at the school have fluctuated for many years, they have been consistently well below the capacity. There are currently 70 pupils on roll (November 2022).

5. Displaced Pupils

There is sufficient capacity within the local school system to offer suitable alternative provision now and into the future. Any pupil displaced as a result of a school closure would be given support and assistance by the Council to obtain a suitable place at another school.

6. Impact on the community

Pupils currently attending St Barnabas and future pupils in the area can be accommodated in local schools.

Whilst the Council recognises the school has had a long history within the community and is saddened to propose closure, the school governors have been unable to find any viable and sustainable options for the future of the school.

7. Rural Primary Schools

The school is not designated as a rural primary school under the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order 2016.

8. Special Educational Needs Provision

The school is not recognised by the local authority as reserved for pupils with special educational needs. Should the proposal be implemented, the Council would work with any pupils who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or may have been identified with additional needs to ensure their needs are met in the most appropriate setting.

9. Balance of denominational provision

Currently very few C of E children attend the school. The proposed closure would not remove the choice of denominational provision from the area. C of E primary schools in the city have significant numbers of surplus places.

10. Maintained Nursery Schools

Not applicable

11. Sixth form provision

Not applicable

12. Travel

The vast majority of pupils will continue to be able to walk to school. When required travel support will remain available in line with the LA’s Home to School Transport Policy. Details of this can be found by visiting www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/school-travel

13. Procedure for making representations (objections and comments)