Telford schools plans set for green light

The plans include a 900 place Christian Faith Academy in Priorslee for ages 11-18 to replace the existing Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College.

A 1200 place Co-operative Academy for ages 11-16 on the Oakengates Leisure Centre site replacing the existing Wrockwardine Wood Arts College and Sutherland Business and Enterprise College.

Relocating Lord Silkin School and Grange Park Primary onto a shared site in Stirchley to form an 1150 place Learning Community including primary, secondary and post 16 education.

Rebuilding Charlton School as a 1200 place 11-16 school on the current Blessed Robert Johnson site.

Consultation
The new plans originally went before the council’s cabinet back in November and were approved subject to an extensive consultation period.

This ran initially for six weeks during November and December and included a series of meetings at each affected school involving student councils, staff, governors and the local community in each case.

A total of 11,000 letters were issued and as a result of the high interest generated by the original proposals, council officers carried out a series of follow up meetings.

Meetings also took place with representatives of the Dioceses of Shrewsbury, Lichfield and Hereford to discuss the faith based academy. The Dioceses of Shrewsbury and Lichfield have indicated that will jointly act as sponsors and, subject to formal approval by their Trustees, will give permission to proceed with the plans to create a 900 place school.

The consultation process has also taken steps to address concerns raised by a number of parents of pupils from both the Wrockwardine Wood Arts College and the Sutherland Business and Enterprise College.

Discussions have taken place with the head teachers and governing bodies of both schools to ensure that effective planning is developed to enable a smooth transition.

Both governing bodies now support the creation of a new 1200 place Co-operative Academy on the existing Oakengates Leisure Centre site and are committed to working together in partnership to develop plans for the new school.

Desire to build new schools in existing communities
Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The decision to revisit the scope of the original plans was initiated by a change of central government policy.

“It also reflects our desire to build new schools in existing communities as part of our drive to become a Co-operative Council.

“Telford’s secondary school performance is improving year on year and is now at national averages.

“We believe that the establishment of co-operative academies will raise aspirations and ensure that all schools deliver the highest quality learning experience for all our young people.

“We have had a very extensive and constructive consultation since we published the original proposals in November and I now feel we have support from all the schools affected.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their input and I’m looking forward to these new plans becoming a reality.”