Schools verdict set for Monday

Oldham Council’s Cabinet is poised to make major decisions which will bring sweeping changes to secondary schools across the borough.

And if the proposals are approved, it will bring the reality of academies and a new Roman Catholic school for Oldham a step closer.

Councillors will decide at a Cabinet meeting on Monday on:

::The expansion of Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport.

::The closures of Breeze Hill, Counthill, Kaskenmoor, South Chadderton and Grange Schools to enable the establishment of three academies.

::The closures of Our Lady’s RC High School and St Augustine of Canterbury School to establish a new Roman Catholic school on a new site.

If the proposals are approved, the council will be a step closer to receiving a £230 million Government grant to help implement the plans.

And it will mark the end of a long-running process which has gathered the views and opinions of parents, carers and pupils, school staff and governors, trade unions, faith groups, neighbouring local authorities and councillors. In total, almost 44,000 information packs have been distributed and the council says the consultation process revealed general support for the proposals to invest through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Cabinet member for children, young people and families, Councillor Kay Knox, said: “BSF and the investment it offers comes as a package, where the whole secondary school system is improved at once.

“The proposals address a range of factors including condition of buildings, surplus places and a wide range of educational, teaching and learning issues including improving attainment.”

She said their approval would transform education in Oldham, through “considerable investment” in all secondary schools, resulting in every pupil getting the opportunity to attend a new, or nearly new school by 2014.

More information on the proposals and copies of the consultation reports are available on the council’s website at www.oldham.gov.uk/bsf