Transforming Our Primary Schools (TOPS)
Process and timescale
When will I know what is going to happen to a particular school?
The short answer is “not for a long time.”
The TOPS process has to follow national government guidelines as well as the law on proposals for school reorganisation.
South Tyneside Council made its decisions at Cabinet on 21 May 2008 about what changes it wants to see. But that is not the end of the matter.
The legal processes to close schools and open new ones, including organising a competition and inviting other parties to run the new school, are complicated.
But we will ensure they will take place in good time for the planned closures/opening.
What did South Tyneside Council decide?
- To close Harton Infants and Harton Junior Schools; and to establish a 630 place Primary School on the current school site in September 2010 at the earliest (and to apply to DCFS for consent to proceed without Competition)
- To close Albert Elliott Primary, Temple Park Infants and Temple Park Juniors; and to establish a new 315 place Primary School on Albert Elliott school site in September 2011
- To close Lord Blyton Primary, Monkton Infants/Nursery and Monkton Junior schools; and to establish a new 420 place primary school on the current Lord Blyton school site in September 2014
- To close Bedewell Primary and Lukes Lane Primary; and to establish a new 420 place primary school to be based on a site to be confirmed in September 2012
- To close Fellgate Primary and Hedworthfield Primary schools; and to establish a new 315-place primary school on the site of the former Hedworthfield Comprehensive school in September 2015
- To defer until Autumn the recommendation to close Boldon C of E Primary School, pending officers’ report about explorations of whether other nearby schools would be interested in a change of status to Church of England Aided; or whether federation would provide a viable solution to the school’s surplus places
- To defer consideration of the proposed closure of St. Bede’s R. C. Voluntary Aided Primary School , in order to look at possible relocation on the Jarrow Cross site.
- To reject the recommendation to close Clervaux Nursery school and Jarrow Cross C of E Primary School and establish new C of E Primary School with nursery on Jarrow Cross Primary School site
- To provide a new school building on the site of St. Mary’s R. C. and Simonside Primary Schools to house the two schools, providing some shared facilities, by September 2017
- To rebuild Stanhope Primary School on the current school site as a 210 place school in April 2011
- To redesignate two classrooms in Laygate Primary for EMTRAS
- To remove surplus by part demolition of Biddick Hall Junior
Who are the decision makers?
Final decisions on school reorganisation are made by the council, unless the council is one of the proposers of a new school, in which case the final decision is made by the school's adjudicator.
Is the school's adjudicator independent?
Although the adjudicator is appointed by the Secretary of State, he or she operates independently and considers all the issues impartially.
If I am not happy with the way the council has consulted, or I feel these proposals are being pushed through, where can I get clarification on the correct procedures?
We will try to answer any of your concerns, so just ring the TOPS Team on 0191 424 7772.
If you are still not happy, you can contact the relevant national body:
Department for Children, Schools and Families
School Organisation Unit
Phone: 01325391278
How does "amalgamation" work? If proposals relate to closure of two schools and opening of one school, what would happen in the run up to the changes?
A "shadow" governing body will be established to oversee the transition period, with a full governing body being appointed once the new school opens.
The shadow governing body will appoint a head teacher for the new school along with a senior management team.
Staff from both of the existing schools will be able to seek posts in the new school within an agreed process.
The head teacher and governors will make decisions about how the new school will operate.
Integration of pupils from both current schools will be managed to ensure the schools came together to build a unified school population prior to the opening of a new building.
