Article: School organisation Article Body Local authorities have a responsibility to make sure that there are sufficient school places in their area to provide suitable education for the different ages, abilities, aptitudes and special educational needs of pupils. The authority has produced a School Organisation Plan which is a critical reference document in the planning of school places. This identifies the current position and projections of school population at individual schools and across Area Forums for Early Years, primary, secondary and denominational schools. The planning of school places involves where necessary: increasing school places; removing surplus places; creating single-phase primary schools; maximising the efficient and effective use of resources. These are the key objectives in bringing forward a reorganisation of school places. The experience of a school reorganisation can make staff, parents and all other interested parties feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the process. The authority has published a School Reorganisation Booklet which explains the process of a reorganisation, how groups or individuals can comment on the proposals and how the Children, Young People and Families Service will support schools and parents through the process. Statutory proposals As individual reorganisations are developed all documents relating to that reorganisation will be included on this website. PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A 3-11 PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE WILTHORPE AREA The council has recently undertaken statutory consultation on the process to replace the separate Wilthorpe Infant andJuniorSchoolwith a single phase primary school. Consultation meetings with all interested parties were held in December 2011. The council's Cabinet met on 14 March 2012 to consider the outcome of that consultation and has agreed to proceed with the proposal. Statutory Notices to discontinue separate infant and junior schools and establish a primary school was published on 16 March 2012. There followed a six week representation period (not including school holidays) which ended on Friday 11 May 2012. The following meetings were held at Wilthorpe Junior School on Wednesday 18 April to outline the details of the proposal: 4pm - staff of both schools ( Minutes of staff meeting) 5pm - governors of both schools ( Minutes of governors' meeting) 6pm - parents of pupils at both schools ( Minutes of parents' meeting) A copy of the following proposals were available: Proposal to discontinue Wilthorpe Infant and Wilthorpe Junior Schools Proposal to establish a new primary school in the Wilthorpe area Any enquiries, objections or comments on the proposal had to be submitted by 11 May 2012 to: Steve Brailsford Children, Young People and Families Directorate PO Box 634 Barnsley S70 9GG Or sent to schoolorg@barnsley.gov.uk Or telephone: Service Manager School Organisation and Governance (01226) 773529 or School Organisation and Governance Manager (01226) 773558