“I cannot describe how disappointed I am by the adjudicator’s decision today which will have a devastating impact on the Building Schools for the Future programme for our Catholic school in Salford.
“This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Salford’s children and young people and at a stroke the adjudicator has thrown it all into doubt. The city council is taking legal advice about how we challenge this decision.
“Our BSF programme covers every high school in the city, the whole point of which is to improve the life chances of every young person in Salford.
“Our education results to date prove that we are going in the right direction and our BSF programme was to be the next huge leap forward.
“The Adjudicator clearly agrees we have too many school places in that part of the city but I am outraged that his solution is to shut Harrop Fold and give their building to St George’s. I am sure many parents will agree with me.
“We have never said St. George’s is not a good school and we have never engaged in any negative comments about the teaching and learning standards there.
“However, the city council will absolutely stand by the pupils, parents, teachers and governors of Harrop Fold who have put an outstanding effort into their new school – with great results for them and their community.
“Some considerable time ago in an attempt to find the best possible solution for everybody involved, we and Harrop Fold made a proposal to the diocese that St George’s join them in their new building to become a joint school site with the right pastoral care for each community. The diocese said no.
“The adjudicator’s decision today has far-reaching consequences for every child in Salford but I can reassure them and their parents that we remain committed to working with our partners and stakeholders and won’t allow the opportunity of Building Schools for the Future to be thrown away if at all possible.”
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