Adjudicator decision

I am writing to inform you of the decision of the Schools Adjudicator regarding the linked proposals to discontinue St George’s RC High School and to enlarge St Ambrose Barlow RC High School.
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has today [November 6] published a decision on the council’s proposals to create a 6th Form and enlarge St Ambrose Barlow Catholic High School and to discontinue St George’s Catholic High School.

The adjudicator, Canon Richard Lindley, approved the proposal to create a 6th form at St Ambrose Barlow School but has modified the implementation date to 1 September 2012. However, he has not approved either of the proposals to enlarge St Ambrose Barlow School from 1 September 2012 or to discontinue St George’s High School from 31 August 2012.

Canon Lindley said he was mindful that his decision could impact on Salford’s Building Schools for the Future programme and expressed a view that not all of the alternative options may have been fully considered.

The proposal which the adjudicator wished the council to consider as an alternative was to close Harrop Fold School and move St George’s High School into Harrop Fold premises as a Catholic VA school.

The council has confirmed that under no circumstances would this option be considered.

The adjudicator has acknowledged that this decision could cause some significant complication for the BSF programme but the Leader of the Council and the Lead Member have assured me that they remain committed to working with our partners and stakeholders and that they will not allow the opportunity of BSF to become lost if at all possible.

The council’s Cabinet last month approved the final business case for the Building Schools for the Future programme, agreeing that Phase 1 (involving the rebuilding of Walkden High and Irlam & Cadishead Community High Schools) can proceed with both schools opening in September 2011.

The Cabinet reflected on the options open to the Schools Adjudicator and further decided that Phase 2 of the programme would involve the closure and replacement of The Swinton and Moorside High Schools with one new school opening in September 2012, and the move of the Oasis Academy to a new site at the Quays during the second quarter of 2012.
The next steps for the council will be to review the plans for the remainder of the schools’ estate including All Hallows RC, St Ambrose Barlow RC, St George’s RC, St Patrick’s RC and Wentworth High Schools.