Primary Capital Programme
DCSF have launched the above programme where every local authority will receive funding to replace, re-model, or refurbish schools within their authority, “to ensure that that all primary schools are fully equipped for 21st-century learning.”
This programme is intended to start with pilot schemes in 2007 / 8, with the remaining funding coming on line from April 2009 and to run for 15 years.
For Voluntary Aided schools, governors will have to meet the 10% contribution to costs.
LAs have to:
- Consult and reach agreement with their partners and submit an authority-wide strategy to the DCSF prior to funding being released.
- Most authorities have invited the board to be represented on these groups. It is therefore necessary to have agreed principles to ensure consistency and continuity of approach which has been agreed by Schools Committee.
Primary Strategy programme meetings with local authorities
Board of Education officers have been allocated to Local Authorities as follows:
Bolton
Lynn Wild
Bury
Will Leeson
Lancashire
Maurice Smith
Manchester
Janet Cowley
Oldham
Janet Cowley
Rochdale
Lynn Wild
Salford
Lynn Wild
Stockport
Janet Cowley
Tameside
Lynn Wild
Trafford
Chris Shelley
Wigan
Maurice Smith
Guidance for officers involved in the review of school provision and the Primary Capital Programme
Purpose
As a Board of Education, our function is “to promote or assist in the promotion of education in the diocese, being education which is consistent with the faith and practice of the Church of England.” (Board of Education Measure 2.1a. 2002 Education Act amendment.)
In doing so, we will seek to be active partners with Local Authorities in promoting the primary capital programme, and wherever possible cooperating with the review of school provision.
Background
The Church of England has a long tradition of providing schools, pre-dating the provision by the state. As the established Church we see our role to work closely with Local Authorities in providing universal education within the maintained sector. We wish our schools to be available to any parent who would like to have an education for their child based upon the Christian principles we promote. We especially reaffirm our mission to the education of those who have least in life, whether in towns or in rural communities.
Church schools are not agents of proselytism where pupils are expected to make a Christian commitment. Our schools are places where the Church can serve its community, but also nourish those of the Christian faith. We seek to be inclusive, but also distinctive.
In some areas we provide the only school within a community and the vast majority of parents, whatever their faith or none, welcome the opportunity for their children to attend a Church of England school with its distinctive ethos.
Diocesan Board of Education criteria
- Ensure that parents have the option of choosing to send their children to a Church of England school.
- To maintain the historic provision of Church of England places by maintaining the percentage number of Church of England places across an authority.
- Where there is demand for Church of England Places, to increase Aided places.
Additional criteria - To promote and support the amalgamation of infant and junior schools to become primary schools.
- To take into consideration LA criteria in primary provision. For example, standards, surplus places, building condition and suitability, community need, finance.
- Seeking to standardise admission numbers for example, 1 Form entry (30); 1.5 form entry (45); 2 form entry (60) whilst allowing for small rural schools.
- To take into consideration diocesan criteria in primary provision for example, parish boundaries, site provision (split site, size, ownership), governing body opinions.
- Federation or amalgamation (providing they retain Church of England status).
Criterion for closure
The Board will reluctantly consider closure where there are strong educational arguments and the effect on the community will be minimal.
