A second chance to have say on schools

PROPOSALS . . . Councillor Sykes

THE public is to be given another say on Oldham Council’s £230 million masterplan to overhaul crumbling secondary schools.

The Liberal Democrats will hold a new consultation after deciding the process carried out by the previous Labour administration wasn’t good enough.

Council chiefs want to replace, rebuild or refurbish every secondary school under the Government’s Building Schools for the Future scheme. This includes replacing Breeze Hill and Counthill schools with an academy run by a sponsor at the former Orb Mill site, Waterhead — and Grange, with an academy in Royton.

The location of an academy to replace Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton is still to be announced after the Lib-Dems scrapped plans to build on the former Oak Colliery site in Hollinwood.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “We need to improve educational achievement across many of Oldham’s schools.

“The programme of changes funded by Building Schools for the Future provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the borough.

“We already have many excellent schools and exam results are improving. However, the Government has made it very clear that all schools across the country are expected to meet targets for results. Schools not reaching these targets will be closed.

“Unfortunately, we have schools that fall into this category in Oldham.

“We now need the rate of improvement to be quicker and for all our children to get the results they are capable of.”

Proposals also aim to improve community cohesion.

Janet Donaldson, executive director for children, young people and families, said: “These changes would affect Oldham for generations, so it is our duty to ensure that we consult as many people as possible.”

The consultation runs from September 18 to November 15. It will be preceded by an all-day exhibition, with lunchtime, afternoon and evening presentations at the Queen Elizabeth Hall from noon to 8.30pm on September 17.

This will be followed by consultations in five secondary schools and drop-in sessions at 10 primary schools throughout October, plus meetings with pupils, youth and community groups.

Dates and times will be finalised next week and information will be online at www.oldham.gov.uk/bsf.

Councillor Kay Knox, Cabinet member for children, young people and families, added: “Our intention is to ensure a robust and comprehensive consultation process capturing the views of all stakeholders and communities.”