The Future of St Barnabas C of E Primary School

It is with much regret that Bristol City Council, together with the Governing Body is proposing the closure of St Barnabas C of E (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School.

St Barnabas C of E Primary is a small, urban primary school for children aged 4-11. The school has a published admission number (PAN) of 30. This is the number of children the school can admit into the Reception year group if there is sufficient demand. The total capacity of the school is 210 pupils. The school has been under-subscribed for a number of years and total pupil numbers fall significantly short of the school’s capacity.

The school currently has only 70 pupils on roll (November 2022). 13 of these are in Year 6 and will be leaving the school in July. Only 10 children started in the Reception year group in September 2022.

Number on roll by year group

(October 2022)

Total Numbers on Roll since 2015

The governing body and staff have worked hard to mitigate the effects of falling pupil numbers, reducing staffing and changing the class structure over the last 2-3 years, currently there are 4 mixed year group classes which brings challenges for staff in delivering the full curriculum across Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. This reduction to the staffing and class structure is as a direct result of falling pupil numbers and the subsequent budget reduction that this brings since school budgets are based largely on pupil numbers.

The governors and headteacher have also had to consider further reduction of staffing and class structure for the current year and moving forwards, to a 3 class structure for example. The governors see this as unsustainable in offering the quality and breadth of provision that is required and that the pupils deserve.

In-year budget deficits have been substantial. Reserves from previous years have been used to minimise disruption to pupils but these have now been exhausted and the school is facing a major budget deficit in future years.

The budget reduction also impacts directly on staff roles – with increased responsibilities because a smaller number of staff have to cover all responsibilities and duties. This in turn brings recruitment challenges.

Future Demographic

Area health authority data which provides the number of 0-4 year olds living in the area shows a continuing decline in the numbers of pre-school aged children and parental preference for admission to the school has been low in recent years. Surrounding schools also have available places but attract a higher number of parental preferences.

Other Options

Before reaching the conclusion that the school had become unsustainable, other options were looked at.

Amalgamation (merger) with another school is not possible as there a no other local voluntary controlled C of E schools that would be suitable and the underlying issue of low pupil numbers in the St Barnabas building would remain.

Many of the surrounding schools belong to Multi-Academy Trusts where additional support can be offered and where costs can be shared. Unfortunately it has not been possible to find a Trust that could accept St Barnabas as the current and projected pupil numbers mean the school is regarded as financially unviable. Although there has and continues to be, new housing development in the area this is not generating additional demand for pupil places.

A suggestion was made of possible conversion to a Special School. This is not possible under School Organisation legislation which still require the primary to close and a new special school opened. Currently new special schools can only be opened under the ‘free school’ programme and cannot be proposed by the Council.

Finances

Schools are mainly funded by an amount of money for each child attending the school. Support has been provided by the City Council and Bristol Diocese but maintaining high quality provision with good teaching and learning is difficult on a low budget.

The school is judged by Ofsted as one which ‘Requires Improvement’. This judgement was initially made in 2017 and since this time the staff and governors have been working hard to provide the best possible education for all children. However, delivery of a full and balanced curriculum at St Barnabas C of E Primary School is difficult with such a small and decreasing number of children.

Admissions and transport arrangements

Should St Barnabas C of E Primary School close on 31 August 2023, parents and carers would be able to express a preference for a place at an alternative school. Bristol City Council will manage this process and ensure there are local places for all families. Parents and carers would be asked to complete an in-year admissions application form and to name up to three schools they would prefer their child(ren) to attend. Bristol City Council would try to meet parent and carers’ preferences wherever possible but cannot guarantee to do so as it would depend upon vacancies at that time. Admission Officers from Bristol City Council would be available to support families in completing in-year applications. The process would not be on a first-come, first served basis as all parents would have an opportunity to consider their options.

Staff

The staff group is aware of the circumstances, and the recognised trade unions have been notified of the consultation. Staff are invited to submit responses to the public consultation. A separate consultation process will be arranged for staff regarding their future, if a decision is made to close he school. In the event of closure, the governing body and Council would aim to mitigate the number of redundancies by seeking redeployment opportunities. There would also be support for staff in finding alternative employment.

The Decision-making Process

The decision to consult on the future of the school has not been made lightly but is being brought forward in light of the low demand for school places and the challenges the school faces in delivering the curriculum to such a small number of children. No decision to close the school has yet been made. This document is part of a statutory process that must be followed and is a legal requirement. Consultation is taking place with all pupils, parents, staff of the school as well as other stakeholders, for example Unions, MP and local Councillors for a period of four weeks. Following this period responses will be considered by the City Council’s Cabinet and a final decision made. This will be in February. If closure is approved, then the school would close on 31 August 2023.

All documents and updates will be provided here and on the school website.

How to share your views and seek further information

If you require further information or wish to comment on the proposal you can write to:

Email: ian.bell@bristol.gov.uk

Post: Ian Bell, Place Planning Manager, Education and Skills (CH), Bristol City Council, PO Box 3399, Bristol BS1 9NE.

The closing date for responses is 16 December 2022.