Decision details
Hamstead Infant School and Hamstead Junior School – Proposed Closure and Expansion
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decision:
Agreed that:-
(1) further to Minute No.100/23 of Cabinet, the Cabinet Member for
Children, Young People and Education approved the:
a. formal closure of Hamstead Infant School, Tanhouse Avenue, Great
Barr B43 5AS with effect from 31 December 2023; and
b. an increase in the age range of Hamstead Junior School, Hamstead
Road, Great Barr B43 5BE from the ages of 8-11 years old to 3-11
years old to accommodate the displaced pupils from Hamstead Infant
School with effect from 1 January 2024.
(2) in connection with the one objection received during the
representation period following publication of the Statutory
Proposal, no further action be taken in response, and the objector
be advised accordingly.
Reasons for the decision:
An objection to the Statutory Proposal had
been received during the representation period which required a
further report to the Cabinet Member in accordance with Minute
No.100/23(3).
Alternative options considered:
To not proceed with the proposed amalgamation
of the two schools, leading to inefficiencies in revenue
expenditure and duplication of certain operational functions and
spend.
Closure of Hamstead Junior School. Due to a high level of senior
school staff vacancies at the Infant School, the Infant School
could not support a successful expansion to its age range to
operate at the two-form entry primary school model required.
Closure of both schools. A new school could not be established by
the Local Authority to replace the schools, and a free school
sponsor for a replacement school would need to be secured.
Publication date: 27/11/2023
Date of decision: 21/11/2023
Effective from: 05/12/2023