£200m Telford building schools scheme gets approval
A £200m Building Schools for the Future scheme which will see four new schools built in Telford has been given the green light. Under the plans six schools will close with four new schools being created.
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 1,200 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 1,150 place Learning Community including primary, secondary and post 16 education.
Rebuilding the Charlton School with 1,200 places for pupils aged 11-16 on the current Blessed Robert Johnson site.
Consultation
During a recent consultation period a series of meetings took place at each affected school involving student councils, staff, governors and the local community.
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 consultation process also took 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 also took place with the head teachers and governing bodies of both schools to ensure that effective planning is developed to enable a smooth transition.
