Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a church school

Share Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a church school on Facebook Share Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a church school on Twitter Share Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a church school on Linkedin Email Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a church school link

Stage two consultation has concluded. Thank you for taking part.

Final Decision

The decision was taken by the Executive Councillor(External link) on 10 March 2023 to approve the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school with effect from 01 September 2023. The points considered and the reasons on which this decision was taken are detailed in the Executive Councillor Report and appendices.


Stage two consultation

Stage two of the public consultation is now closed for feedback. The complete proposal is available to view here. All valid responses received were taken into consideration when the final decision was made in March 2023. There was 1 response which was for the proposal.


Stage one consultation update

Stage one of the public consultation ran between 26 September and 31 October 2022.

There were 6 responses in total, with 3 against the proposal and 3 for the proposal. All valid responses received were taken into consideration and a decision was made on 28 November by the Executive Councillor to proceed to the next stage of the process which is the publication of a statutory notice on 14 December.


Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a voluntary controlled church school

Historically, Fulstow was established as a church school and stood on church-owned land. To allow closer working with the Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education (LDBE) and the church family of schools, the governing body and LDBE have investigated the school becoming a church school again.

Proposal

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), in collaboration with the school and (LDBE), are seeking views on the proposal for the school to become a voluntary controlled church school.

Preliminary consultation with stakeholders in 2019 indicated that responders preferred the option of a voluntary controlled school, meaning:

  • There would be a minority of foundation (church) governors
  • The Local Authority would continue to be the admissions authority
  • The Local Authority would continue to be the employer of the school staff
  • The school would use the Locally Agreed RE Syllabus

It would have a religious character as a Church of England School, but it would not be a faith school. The school would continue to be fully inclusive and serve all children regardless of faith, academic ability, race, or gender.

The Secretary of State for Education has permitted proposals to be formally published; before that happens, the Local Authority must gather and consider all views before deciding how to proceed.

If Lincolnshire County Council implemented the proposal, the school would close and reopen the next day as a church school.

Reasons for the Proposal

Fulstow Primary School was federated with North Cotes Church of England Primary School in 2018. Since then, the two schools have established good relations for the benefit of all pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

Becoming a church school would enable the further reinforcement of these relations as they strengthen their shared vision for all, continue to build upon the already strong bond between the two schools, and ultimately help to secure the longer-term future of both.

The school’s academic provision is already good but could further improve due to converting to church status. The school would not only keep the support and challenge from the Local Authority but also receive support from the Diocesan Board of Education.

The support would include guidance and direction by drawing upon knowledge and learning from the good practices established in other local church schools. All of these will empower the school to build upon our provision and help to raise standards even further.

Your views will be fully considered and help inform the next stage of the consultation process.

Responses in writing

A consultation response form is available if required from the School Organisation Team or Fulstow Primary School. Paper response forms should be returned by the deadline.

  • School Organisation Team: email schoolorganisation@lincolnshire.gov.uk, telephone 01522 553392/554834
  • School Organisation Planning Team: Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YQ

Final Decision

The decision was taken by the Executive Councillor(External link) on 10 March 2023 to approve the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school with effect from 01 September 2023. The points considered and the reasons on which this decision was taken are detailed in the Executive Councillor Report and appendices.


Stage two consultation

Stage two of the public consultation is now closed for feedback. The complete proposal is available to view here. All valid responses received were taken into consideration when the final decision was made in March 2023. There was 1 response which was for the proposal.


Stage one consultation update

Stage one of the public consultation ran between 26 September and 31 October 2022.

There were 6 responses in total, with 3 against the proposal and 3 for the proposal. All valid responses received were taken into consideration and a decision was made on 28 November by the Executive Councillor to proceed to the next stage of the process which is the publication of a statutory notice on 14 December.


Fulstow Primary School consultation to become a voluntary controlled church school

Historically, Fulstow was established as a church school and stood on church-owned land. To allow closer working with the Lincoln Diocesan Board of Education (LDBE) and the church family of schools, the governing body and LDBE have investigated the school becoming a church school again.

Proposal

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), in collaboration with the school and (LDBE), are seeking views on the proposal for the school to become a voluntary controlled church school.

Preliminary consultation with stakeholders in 2019 indicated that responders preferred the option of a voluntary controlled school, meaning:

  • There would be a minority of foundation (church) governors
  • The Local Authority would continue to be the admissions authority
  • The Local Authority would continue to be the employer of the school staff
  • The school would use the Locally Agreed RE Syllabus

It would have a religious character as a Church of England School, but it would not be a faith school. The school would continue to be fully inclusive and serve all children regardless of faith, academic ability, race, or gender.

The Secretary of State for Education has permitted proposals to be formally published; before that happens, the Local Authority must gather and consider all views before deciding how to proceed.

If Lincolnshire County Council implemented the proposal, the school would close and reopen the next day as a church school.

Reasons for the Proposal

Fulstow Primary School was federated with North Cotes Church of England Primary School in 2018. Since then, the two schools have established good relations for the benefit of all pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

Becoming a church school would enable the further reinforcement of these relations as they strengthen their shared vision for all, continue to build upon the already strong bond between the two schools, and ultimately help to secure the longer-term future of both.

The school’s academic provision is already good but could further improve due to converting to church status. The school would not only keep the support and challenge from the Local Authority but also receive support from the Diocesan Board of Education.

The support would include guidance and direction by drawing upon knowledge and learning from the good practices established in other local church schools. All of these will empower the school to build upon our provision and help to raise standards even further.

Your views will be fully considered and help inform the next stage of the consultation process.

Responses in writing

A consultation response form is available if required from the School Organisation Team or Fulstow Primary School. Paper response forms should be returned by the deadline.

  • School Organisation Team: email schoolorganisation@lincolnshire.gov.uk, telephone 01522 553392/554834
  • School Organisation Planning Team: Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YQ
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Consultation on the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school

    Thank you for agreeing to complete this survey. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

    Before responding to this consultation please read the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a voluntary controlled church school.

    Your views will be given full consideration and will help inform the next stage of the consultation process.

    Privacy Statement

    Lincolnshire County Council’s School Organisation Planning Team are collecting your information in order to carry out this consultation. We are collecting the smallest amount of personal data to ensure responses are not duplicated. Your information is only shared with third parties where necessary and where the law allows it. We shall only keep your information for as long as is necessary in accordance with our retention schedules. Responses to this survey will only be viewed by Lincolnshire County Council’s School Organisation Planning Team. The report that will be created will be entirely anonymous.  

    For further information on how we handle your information please see our Privacy Notice: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directory-record/62065/education-and-skills

    Stage two consultation has concluded. Thank you for taking part.
    Share Consultation on the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school on Facebook Share Consultation on the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school on Twitter Share Consultation on the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school on Linkedin Email Consultation on the proposal for Fulstow Primary School to become a church school link