Issue - meetings

Further to Minute 24 (15 July 2008), received a report from the Corporate Director of Children’s Services on the progress that has been made with the joint proposal of the Council and the Diocese of Chelmsford for Dagenham Park Community School to become a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School with effect from January 2010. 

The proposals will offer greater diversity and choice to parents through the provision of the first Church of England secondary school in the borough and is considered to be in the best interests of the pupils.  In terms of other apparent effects of the proposed change of status, these are limited in their impact with the key aspects being the investment in a trust or charitable foundation of the school buildings and hard standing areas as well as a greater representation of the Church on the School Governing Body.  Noted however that the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has asked that the Governing Body give further consideration to the school moving to Voluntary Aided status from the 2011/12 academic year, which will need to be the subject of further public consultation and detailed discussions between the Council, the Diocese and the School Governing Body at the appropriate time.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve its Community Priority of “Inspired and Successful” and in accordance with the provisions Sections 15 (1) and 10(2) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, to the change of status of Dagenham Park Community School to a Voluntary Controlled Church of England School with effect from 1 January 2010.