MASSIVE SCHOOLS SHAKE-UP IN CONGLETON BOROUGH
Click here for all the details about the massive schools shake-up which is happening in the Congleton Borough.
A major review has been announced which could mean two primaries are shut down, while others face possible cuts.
Today (Monday 30th June), Silk FM is offering you the chance to put your questions and concerns to the County Council's decision makers about the "Transforming Learning Communities" review.
Find out more at the bottom of this page.
According to the County Council the overall level of surplus places in the area’s primary schools is 13.4% and is forecast to rise by 2012 to 18.5% - or almost 1,500 empty desks.
The council says the options, which have been produced under the county-wide Transforming Learning Communities review, follow detailed discussions with headteachers and governors.
Sandbach Primary School could be closed and replaced by a 'resource centre' shared by all six local high schools to deliver a new 14-19 curriculum.
In Sandbach, surplus places are apparently among the highest in the area.
The creation of an 'Inclusion Centre' is also suggested to provide essential temporary schooling for youngsters without a school place together with facilities for better joint working between agencies for vulnerable children.
If implemented, this development could share the site of either Daven or Marlfields primary school.
A 'Child Development Centre' for SEN support could be located within one of the two buildings currently occupied by Offley Primary School as part of a proposal for the school to be accommodated in one building.
Cranberry Primary School is also suggested for location in one of its two existing buildings, with the second used for the development of broader children’s services for the area.
The development of four Children’s Centres are proposed for sites at Daven and Offley primary schools, the new Heath Centre in Alsager and at a site yet to be identified in Holmes Chapel.
Church Lawton Primary School is another facing the axe - half of desks there are forecast to be empty by 2012.
If it is closed the premises could either re-house St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School or be used to support the delivery of broader children’s services in Alsager.
Children’s Services Executive Member David Rowlands said: “The Alsager, Congleton, Sandbach and Holmes Chapel area has seen a 10% drop in primary pupil numbers since 1999, and the situation will worsen unless we take action.
“Resources directed at sustaining surplus places are wasted resources — resources that could be used to provide quality education and new extended school services.
“These options include premises for the delivery of a new 14-19 curriculum — currently there is no further education facility in the area — together with improved resources for children with Special Educational Needs and the development of four Children’s Centres.
“We are also proposing to take forward better collaborative working between the smaller primary schools through possible federated arrangements, which would bring benefits for pupils and staff alike.
“I would emphasise that at this stage these are options for consultation only and it is important that local people let us know their views and ideas.”
Drop-in sessions for parents who want more clarification or wishing to express views can do so at d at Alsager Civic Centre on June 30 (3-7pm), Sandbach Town Hall on July 1 (3-7pm) and Congleton Town Hall on July 2 (3-7pm).
Feedback from the informal consultation period, which ends on August 5, will be considered by County Councillors early in the Autumn term who will decide whether to amend the options or proceed to formal consultation.
The options for consultation are possible:
* Location of Cranberry Primary School into one building on the site of the two former Cranberry schools, with a capacity of 210.
* Closure of Church Lawton Primary School with effect from September 2009 or 2010 and the relocation of its pupils to local schools, with the building used either to re-house St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School or to support the delivery of broader Children’s Services locally.
* Reduction in the capacity of Daven Primary School to 210 with effect from September 2009 or 2010.
* Location of Offley Primary School into one building on the site of the two former Offley schools, with a capacity of 350.
* Closure of Sandbach Primary School with effect from September 2010, and the relocation of its pupils to local schools, with the released school building becoming available as a shared resource for local high schools delivering 14-19 education across the locality.
* Subject to agreement of the governors, re-designation of part of the accommodation of Chelford CE Primary School with a revised capacity of 60 with effect from September 2009.
* Removal of temporary accommodation from the site of Holmes Chapel Primary School and a reduction in capacity to 350 at a future date, should this become warranted.
* Development in collaboration with governing bodies and the Church of England Diocese of federated groupings of small primary schools in rural locations in the area.
* Changes to the capacity and/or admission numbers of 12 primary schools with effect from September 2010, which if implemented would result in a reduction of 33 places at the point of first admission. They are Haslington, Brereton, Sandbach Heath St John’s, Marlfields, Buglawton, Astbury St Mary’s, Scholar Green, Alsager Highfields, Smallwood, Woodcocks’ Well, Goostrey and Black Firs.
YOU CAN PUT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND THIS REVIEW IN AN EXCLUSIVE SILK FM PHONE-IN PROGRAMME ON MONDAY 30TH JUNE BETWEEN 11AM AND 1PM.
E-mail your questions to studio@silkfm.com or call the studio direct on 01625 269 000.
