Council committee to discuss STARS proposals

Members of the Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee will look in detail at the plans at a meeting on Monday April 18 at 10.30am at County Hall, Chichester.

The meeting will be open to the public, and anyone who wishes to attend will need to obtain a ticket.

The proposals, which have been the subject of public consultation, could see a change in school organisation in the STARS area, as it is known locally.

The area is the last remaining location in West Sussex where schools are not organised in line with the Key Stages of the National Curriculum.

Across the rest of the county, and most of the country, pupils transfer to secondary schools at the end of Key Stage 2 (11 years old).

The proposals include the closure of Rydon Community College to make way for the relocation of Thakeham First School an additional site for Steyning Grammar School.

Rydon is expected to be well represented at the meeting.

Michael Cloake, chairman of the select committee, said: “Significant changes for the STARS schools are being put forward. The committee will be debating the impact and benefits to pupils.”

People will be able to watch the meeting live on the internet.

The webcast can be found by going to the county council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk and searching for ‘webcast’.

Tickets have been allocated for each school affected by the proposals.

Further tickets are available on a first come first served basis for places in the public gallery of the council chamber and a separate committee room where the webcast will be shown live.

To obtain a ticket please email [email protected] or call democratic services on 0330 2222553.

A decision on whether to proceed with the proposals will be made by Councillor Richard Burrett, cabinet member for education and skills.

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