Admission Criteria for Maes yr Haul 2013

The below is a photo of the criteria letter for 2013. Please see points 5 and 6 and subsequent paragraph

Latest Information on School Catchment Changes

Latest Information on School Catchment Changes

We recently contacted BCBC about the proposed change in school catchment for Maes-Yr-Haul.  Following many of the residents meetings we found that there were many residents still unclear about the situation.  Please read on if you have children due to attend Maes-Yr-Haul in 2013 onwards.

When does the change come into place?

The proposed catchment changes will go ahead for the September intake of 2013 at the school. 

I live on Broadlands - what postcodes are affected by the change?

• CF31 4DX
• CF31 4DZ
• CF31 5AA
• CF31 5AB
• CF31 5AD
• CF31 5AE
• CF31 5AF
• CF31 5AG
• CF31 5AR
• CF31 5BF
• CF31 5EU
• CF31 5EW
• CF31 5EZ
• CF31 5FJ
• CF31 5FN
• CF31 5FP
• CF31 5FQ
• CF31 5FR
• CF32 0HL

What is the status on Siblings having priority after the Catchment Area Changes?

The following is an extract from the Council’s Starting School booklet and appears in both the nursery and primary sections as the transitional arrangements are equally applicable to both ‘phases’. The Starting School publication will be issued to parents, seeking a nursery/reception place, later this term.

Parents/carers should note that the Council’s change to the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul Primary and Trelales Primary Schools will be implemented for the first time for admissions to both schools in September 2013. With effect from this date the area illustrated on the attached plan will form part of the catchment area of Trelales Primary School. As part of the proposed change the Council agreed a transitional arrangement for those families with older siblings already attending Maes yr Haul Primary School. For families living in the affected area and with older children at the school the transitional arrangement will afford them equal status to those parents living within the revised catchment area. In practical terms should the school be oversubscribed parents living in the affected area would not be disadvantaged and their application for a place at Maes yr Haul Primary School will be treated as if they are resident within the catchment area. It was agreed that this transitional arrangement would be initially for a period of five years and would be reviewed annually thereafter.

What is the situation for Nursery intake and I have a Sibling in the school?

 The above statements show that both nursery and primary sections of the school.

What is the status of the safe walking route to school (to Laleston)?

The Council’s Property Team is still negotiating with the relevant landowner to reach agreement to obtain sufficient land to create the safe walking route. The initial plan has changed and in order to minimise the amount of land take it is now proposed that a section of Gypsy Lane be closed to traffic to enable the lane itself to be used as the footpath. Lighting will be provided the length of the footpath. There will be a formal consultation period as is usual with any proposal on ‘highway’ changes. 

Minutes of the BCBC Meeting on School Catchment

Minutes from the cabinet meeting about our local school catchment change is found below. The original documentation can be found on their public website... 

A few key points have been highlighted, we are yet to see formal commitments around siblings being given equal priority to attend the same school.  Please note BCBC are looking to set a 5 year time limit on this from 2013. This means if you have a child in Maes-Yr-Haul at 2018 and have a younger child due to enter the school that year or afterwards, they will not be entitled to go to the same school.

SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREAS - BROADLANDS AND LALESTON

            The Corporate Director - Children submitted a report to update Cabinet and seek approval for consultation on changing the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul and Trelales Primary Schools with effect from September 2013.

            The report outlined background information, and advised of consultation that had previously taken place with school governing bodies, parents and communities of the above schools in 2009 and early 2011, following which three main options were considered as detailed in Paragraph 3.2 of the report.

            The report confirmed that at a meeting of Cabinet on 11 January 2011, they resolved not to consider further Option A, to further consider Option C and to carry out a consultation on the option prior to being considered further by Cabinet.

            Paragraphs 3.6 - 3.11 of the report then detailed the key issues that arose from both consultation meetings including individual responses.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children then referred Members to the main points that arose from these consultations, where there appeared to be a general consensus on certain points, namely that:

·         both schools should be in a position to meet the demand for places from within the re-configured catchment areas;

·         the new developments to the west of the estate should be allocated to Trelales Primary School;

·         a safe walking route to Trelales from Broadlands, via Gypsy Lane, should be created to allow children to travel safely to school.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children then explained that Option D had been developed in response to views expressed in previous consultations, which involved allocating further areas from Maes yr Haul to the Trelales catchment area.

            The advantages and disadvantages of the above proposals were outlined in Paragraph 5.2 of the report.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children confirmed that by allocating a longer section of the Broadlands Estate to the Trelales Primary catchment area, the Council would aim to ensure that demand for places from the catchment areas is met at both schools whilst also allowing a degree of parental preference over the choice of school.

            He added that no child would be required to move schools, whilst also the Council would aim to ensure that families who may be affected by a change to the catchment areas would be able to have all their children educated at the same school.

            Paragraph 5.5 of the report then outlined the main points that arose from further consultation in accordance with the statutory Schools Admission Code 2009.

            Paragraph 5.6 of the report then included some final points made in response to certain issues and concerns raised to be taken into consideration as they were pertinent to any final decision.

            The Group Manager - Support for Children explained that there would be some financial implications arising from the proposals to reconfigure the catchment areas of Maes yr Haul Primary and Trelales Primary schools and these were detailed in Paragraph 8.1 of the report.

            The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People explained that the proposals of the report had resulted from listening to the concerns of those involved in the consultation process and then reaching a positive conclusion on the most favourable outcome.

            RESOLVED:               That Cabinet:

                         (1)       Agreed that the proposal to allocate the areas of the Broadlands estate as set out in 5.1 and Appendix B of the report to the catchment of Trelales Primary School to become effective for admissions from September 2013 goes forward for consultation under the Schools Admissions Code 2009;

                        

                         (2)       Approved, in principle, arrangements for safe travel to Trelales Primary School from Broadlands by the construction of a footpath alongside Gypsy Lane, subject to affordability, agreements with landowners and gaining planning permission;

                                     (3)       Consult on any necessary changes to the Admissions Policy to allow, for a limited time period of 5 years initially, siblings in the two catchment areas concerned to have parity with siblings from within catchment in their entitlement to a school place of their choice.

Disappointment as BCBC go ahead with changes with their eyes shut

Since 2009 we've been blogging and campaigning against BCBC Bridgend Council to leave the catchment area of Maes Yr Haul alone.

After many consultations ,  meetings with residents, meetings with the school governors, the council have decided to ignore the advice at these meetings and push forward the change in catchment.

The cost of purchasing land and the construction of a safe route to school is still unresolved and this could lead to large sums of public money being invested in yet another footpath instead of our borough school services.

Some recommendations around the sibling rule changes for admissions policies has been mentioned and we'll track that issue through the next year to ensure the council stick by their promises!

A further article can be found here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2011/12/15/parents-left-angry-after-school-catchment-changes-91466-29954737/

Parents left angry after school catchment changes - Bridgend & Maesteg - South Wales Valleys - News from @walesonline

Parents left angry after school catchment changes - Bridgend & Maesteg - South Wales Valleys - News from @walesonline

Education department present at Cabinet the Catchment Change Proposal

We just became aware of the following meeting at Cabinet

It was disappointing that no formal correspondence was provided by Bridgend County Borough Council before the meeting.

 http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/agenda/095816.hcsp

The report submitted is found here:
http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/report/095794.doc

Criticism of council in third consultation on changes to school catchment areas in Broadlands and Laleston - Bridgend - Local Welsh News - News from @walesonline

Catchment news in the local Gazette....

Criticism of council in third consultation on changes to school catchment areas in Broadlands and Laleston - Bridgend - Local Welsh News - News from @walesonline

Broadlands Residents Association Press Release - Catchment Change

BROADLANDS RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Press Release

31 October 2011

Bridgend County Borough Council’s education department is consulting for a third time on proposed changes to the catchment of Maes yr Haul school in Broadlands and Trelales school in Laleston.

The change has been strongly resisted by many Broadlands residents, who see the plan as unnecessary and harmful to the community.

Residents are also angered by the way in which the Council’s officers have failed to answer key questions about their plans.

Arfon Hughes, Vice-Chair of the Broadlands Residents’ Association, commented:

“Once again the Education Department has put forward proposals to change the school catchment without providing the evidence for change that the Residents’ Association, the school governors and others have asked for.

They seem dead set on altering the catchment of Maes yr Haul school, regardless of whether it is necessary or not. Why do they continue to push this wasteful and unnecessary proposal?  

It is time for the Council to stop playing games with our community and our children’s education.  It should be spending its limited budget on teachers and equipment, not buying land from farmers to build unnecessary footpaths. “

ENDS

For further information visit our website www.broadlandsresidents.org or contact Arfon Hughes on 07590 527038

Latest consultation feedback is required by 1st November 2011

The latest consultation report is still open for feedback, the local community have all received letters updating the residents on the change of catchment plans.

The council are proposing to go ahead with the catchment changes with the north west of Broadlands all being moved to Laleston / Trelales school.

The report still fails to address the purchase costs of land but  provides some benefits to parents with children already at Maes-Yr-Haul.  This isn't the best option for the community - Broadlands children should have the right to attend its local school and the council have omitted many of the facts and figures demonstrating the short term bubble considering the development is approaching an end.

We'll post up some more of those facts in case you wish to write to the council this weekend.

PLEASE respond to the consultation.

The consultation page is here: DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE


Please mark for the attention of Ellen Franks, or e-mail Ellen.Franks@bridgend.gov.uk
If you require the consultation document in a different format, please contact Ellen Franks on 01656 642617, email: Ellen.Franks@bridgend.gov.uk

New Catchment change proposal - Option D

The school catchment changes at Broadlands Bridgend are still in a period of revision.   The options are revised once more and an Option D is being considered based on feedback from the original consultation which brings another set of streets into the discussion.

The demographics, the bubble effect of recent years and the fact that the development is at an end are still outstanding issues to be considered or addressed. 

The purchase of land around the new footpath from Broadlands to Laleston is a mute point,  although Laleston Community council has pledged £30k towards its construction, and an estimated £60k to construct it, the cost  of purchasing of land seems to be omitted from the calculations on all counts. 

Update Coming Soon on Maes Yr Haul Catchment

We are aware of a new report being produced in response to the catchment changes.

We'll publish the information as soon as we can.

School Catchment Proposal is Ready

This may well be one of the final update posts to the blog;  The LEA are ready to present their proposal to the cabinet in July.  Over the last 2 years we have had full backing of the residents of Broadlands with  a clear message to Bridgend Borough Council to "Leave Maes Yr Haul School's Catchment Alone!"  The officers of BCBC have not presented conclusive figures to demonstrate a reasonable trend of growth over the next 5 years (considering development on Broadlands has come to an end).

The issues of siblings priority and family unity are specific examples where BCBC have avoided comment nor commitment to keep families together. 

The report didnt get presented at the Cabinet meeting In June, however it is likely this will go to Cabinet in July 2011. 

We hope that the officers report is indeed reflective of the issues raised by the Broadlands Residents association in this document. 

We will keep you updated with the latest status as it happens.

Thanks for all of your support!

Contribution to footpath is "Premature" @glamgazette by @caryshepworth

Spring Bulletin from BCBC features statement on the catchment

The spring bulletin from BCBC mentions the catchment. The bulletin features a statement from Alana Davies - Cabinet member for children and young people comments "... changes to Maes Yr Haul catchment are necessary"....  We hope that the cabinet member thinks about the children first and ensures that families are kept together whatever the outcome.  Its been less than 1 week since the consultation was closed. The report findings are being produced. Again , we hope the report is fair, balanced and takes on board the feedback from residents, parents and carers. 

BCBC Spring Bulletin

More Coverage in the @glamgazette this week

Our concerns have been published in this weeks Gazette - this is the 3rd article in a month - thanks to the Glamorgan Gazette.

The article summarises some of the points raised by the Broadlands Residents association.

You can read the response letter  here 

It is the Association’s view that the proposed catchment changes will have no effect on the immediate problems at the school.  We have identified a potential means of addressing this short term problem and await the education department’s considered response.

In the longer term, we do not consider that the data presented gives a sound basis for determining that any change in catchment is necessary at all.  In view of this, and the serious concerns about the effects of change on our community, we support a no change position.  Even if the education department’s forecasts are accepted, (which they are not) the options presented will have very little substantive effect on the forecast longer term pressure on Maes yr Haul School.  

Broadlands Residents Association Response to BCBC on School Catchment Changes

The formal response from the BRA can be found
here

Maes Yr Haul Catchment Consultation Ends - Watch This Space!

Today marks the end of the public consultation on the Maes-Yr-Haul catchment.

We will continue to post the views, feedback and further updates over the next few weeks - the consultation with the public might have come to an end, however the Bridgend County Borough Council Officers will need to take stock of the feedback from the Broadlands Residents Association, parents, school governors and our local councillors in addition to the true facts and figures, they should be making a BALANCED and TRUE account of the information that has been sent to them.

We will publish some more of this feedback.

We await the findings and will report on them here.

For the people who use TWITTER - please signup here : Twitter

Thanks for your support.

Broadlands Catchment Consultation Ends Tomorrow

Please be aware that the closing date for responding to the catchment proposals is tomorrow. This will mark the end of the public consultation and move into the council's processes to summarise the findings and put forward a final recommendation to cabinet in June.

Keep up to date here on this blog and more on our facebook site: Here

Option B's route to Laleston school from north Broadlands.....

The below map has photographs along the route that BCBC proposes as the safe route to school.Originally, the cost of footpath construction was estimated at £400,000.


View Broadlands to Laleston in a larger map

The council have now estimated £60,000 for the development of a path with lighting up to the main road - however, this excludes the purchase of land - a project which has been said could cost in excess of £100,000*.

These costs are being incurred to overcome a short term "spike" in demand at the school. Based on the age range of residents on the Broadlands development - this is felt to be a short term issue. Surely short term issues should be dealt with by short term measures?. This is all being done at the cost of families who have made their home here - many residents already have children at Maes-Yr-Haul School; Option B+C will cause split schooling. The Bridgend LEA need to take action to protect the existing residents of Broadlands from having this issue and at least consider Sibling priority.


* - there are no published figures for the land aquisition and this was mentioned at the meetings by the officers as a potential figure for the implementation

Catchment Changes - the figures are not clear enough to make the change!

A week before the meeting at Maes-Yr-Haul, the following questions were posed by Arfon Hughes of the residents association to the officers responsible for reporting to cabinet.  There is still no formal response.

This proposal was first presented to committee with a scenario of the school pupil numbers at 2011 (excluding nursery) reaching 621. Your latest data puts the figure for 2011 at 532. This is a material difference that begs the question as to whether change is necessary at all. Can you please explain?

On a related point, the actual intake for Reception at MYH fell from 80 in September 2009 to 68 in September 2010. Again, this is a material change that suggests that your earlier forecasts were incorrect. Again, are you able to explain?

We would also note that the latest forecasts expect the number of Year 1 pupils to increase from 68 to 96 between 2010 and 2011, a 41% increase over a single year, and for similarly high levels to be sustained every year until 2018. What is the justification for this? 

You have indicated that your forecasts are predicated on the numbers of live births in Broadlands. The figure for 2007 was cited in the August 2008 officer report as 106. The most recent report (consultation letter of 1 February, para 4.2) simply states an average of over 100 live births over the past four years. Both the Residents’ Association and the Governors have asked for this evidence base to be explained but no such explanation has been forthcoming. Can you please supply this information?

The assumptions made in the most recent forecasts of school place demand which you kindly supplied to me by email this week present what I think is the nub of the issue: You forecast an intake over a sustained period of 87 pupils against a PAN of 69.

In simple terms, the ‘over subscription’ of MYH is predicated on 87% of all births on the estate translating into demands for school places. Yet in both the Option B and Option C reports prepared by your department, between 31% and 33% of all children in Broadlands attend other schools, for reasons including language and religion. Applying this, existing ratio of children to pupils to future growth would yield a demand of 67-69, matching exactly the PAN figure for the school.

It is the adoption of a higher ‘take up’ rate of places at MYH from new births than trend data indicates which forms the basis for change. Please can you explain why you have adopted such a take up rate?The assumptions made in the most recent forecasts of school place demand which you kindly supplied to me by email this week present what I think is the nub of the issue: You forecast an intake over a sustained period of 87 pupils against a PAN of 69.


It is the adoption of a higher ‘take up’ rate of places at MYH from new births than trend data indicates which forms the basis for change. Please can you explain why you have adopted such a take up rate?In simple terms, the ‘over subscription’ of MYH is predicated on 87% of all births on the estate translating into demands for school places. Yet in both the Option B and Option C reports prepared by your department, between 31% and 33% of all children in Broadlands attend other schools, for reasons including language and religion. Applying this, existing ratio of children to pupils to future growth would yield a demand of 67-69, matching exactly the PAN figure for the school. 

It is the adoption of a higher ‘take up’ rate of places at MYH from new births than trend data indicates which forms the basis for change. Please can you explain why you have adopted such a take up rate?