Wakeman School supporters attend public meeting

Parents, teachers, pupils and friends of the school all attended the meeting which follows the closure decision being referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator who has the power to overturn Shropshire Council's decision.

Head teacher Karen Moore spoke at the meeting which was attended by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Canon Richard Lindley.

Canon Lindley said he had heard valid points from both sides for both keeping the school open and also saving costs in education.

Shrewsbury MP, Daniel Kawczynski spoke to say he was impressed by the passion and determination of the school and the local community. He said Shrewsbury is growing and believed there should be a school in the heart of the town. He also commented that the re-location of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College had been fought off and for Shrewsbury to develop young people need to remain in the centre of town.

The meeting was also attended by David Taylor, director of people services at Shropshire Council who explained why it was necessary to close the school.

Shropshire Council’s cabinet decided to close the school following an extended consultation. The school was one of a number across Shropshire to be listed for proposed closure or federation in February this year. Shropshire Council is aiming to save around £1million per year by making changes to education in Shropshire.

Over 8,000 local people signed a petition against the proposals to close the Wakeman School, with parents, students and the local community all joining together to try and save the school with a campaign called “Why Waste Wakeman”.

In March this year OFSTED rated the school as ‘Good’, confirmed by excellent GCSE results attained by students this August when 76% of pupils received five or more grades A* to C, a 10% increase on 2010.

A final decision of the schools future will be given next month by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.