Free school row

Reporter: Helen Korn
Date published: 26 July 2013


RULING: the former South Chadderton School

OLDHAM Council is being forced to hand over part of the former South Chadderton School site for a controversial new free school.

Lord John Nash from the Department for Education made the final ruling that land must go to Collective Spirit — a secondary, non-denominational school with a total capacity of 300, initially offering only 60 Year 7 places when it opens in September.

And Oldham Council, which hoped to build houses on the land, won’t receive a penny from the deal — which could cost the council up to £4 million in lost council tax, land value and loss to the local economy.

The authority argued that the sale of redundant former school sites was an essential part of a funding package needed to invest in new schools and other development. It had proposed alternative sites for the free school.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We’re extremely disappointed by this decision from the Secretary of State. Throughout this process our objections have not been about the rights and wrongs of free schools;, this has been about what is best for the borough and its people.

“This is a prime development site. Its sale was an important part of our regeneration plans, with significant value. We don’t agree it is in the best interest of local taxpayers to write-off this site, especially when there is a viable alternative site.”

Feelings were mixed about the school during a packed public meeting in March.

Raja Miah, Collective Spirit’s director, said the trust had been negotiating with the council for some time without success.

“We are delighted that this issue has been resolved by the local authority and the DfE,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming our first students this September and being able to offer the families of Oldham an aspirational independent school.”

A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “The site is Collective Spirit’s preferred choice and offers the best value for money for taxpayers. We have secured part of the site for Collective Spirit, with the majority of the site still owned by the council.”