New dawn for Derker

BUILDING go-ahead... (centre, from left) Councillor Hugh McDonald, Director of Children’s Services Michael Jameson, Councillor Nigel Newton and second right) deputy head teacher Tim Renshaw at Stoneleigh Primary School, with other school staff

Council commits to £1.1m school rebuild

BUILDING work has resumed at Stoneleigh Primary School after council chiefs gave a commitment to its long-term future in a boost of confidence to Derker.

The future of the school had been in doubt after redevelopment ground to a halt in March, with worried residents and parents voicing their concerns.

But Oldham Council has now approved plans to complete the vital £1.1 million refurbishment of the Vulcan Street school —and is confident that new homes will be built near by, too.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, Cabinet member for children, young people, families, leisure and culture, said it heralded a bright new dawn for Derker.

He said: “We believe that Derker has been kicked enough and if we had not done this we would have been kicking it again and we are about helping people. Hopefully it will bring a new start for Derker.”

The Government’s decision to withdraw Housing Market Renewal (HMR) funding — including in the Derker area — had caused the council to review the scheme.

Around 150 new homes were set to be built in the area through HMR that would have provided more school-age children for Stoneleigh Primary, amid concerns over falling pupil numbers.

The council is working to find an alternative partner to deliver new developments in Derker.

Following a review of all the available options for Stoneleigh — including a consideration of pupil distribution and the capacity of neighbouring schools — the council has decided to complete the construction works in full.

When completed, by the start of the autumn term, the school will include new community facilities.

Cabinet members had been due to discuss the school’s future at a meeting on June 27 but the council took action sooner.

Councillor McDonald, who visited the school yesterday to tell staff, said: “We did not want to delay it any longer. I’m confident that the future is good for them. It will be a very attractive area to live.”

He added: “Stoneleigh was one of the schemes that we had to review because of the decision on HMR funding. It was only right and prudent that we did this in order to ensure that the long-term interests of pupils, parents and staff were fully considered.

“Our decision to push ahead with the full refurbishment of Stoneleigh shows our commitment to investing in its long-term future and capacity. Oldham Council is fully behind this development and the education of pupils is our top priority.”

An Ofsted inspection in 2009 rated the school satisfactory overall but with areas of underperformance.

An emergency governing body was appointed, and an executive head teacher for a period, over concerns it was not improving quickly enough.

A monitoring visit later that year found the school had made satisfactory progress in making improvements and achievement was increasing.

Deputy head teacher Tim Renshaw said: “I’m extremely pleased as are all the staff at school. It’s the news we have been waiting for. We have been working hard towards this for many years and feel there’s a need to improve the school and be more a part of the community. This is the building that will allow us to do that.”

Lib-Dem councillors Roger Hindle and Jackie Stanton said they were pleased, following their pressure, that Labour appeared to have reversed their original thoughts.

Councillor Roger Hindle said: “This is welcome news and will obviously give confidence and peace of mind.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “The Liberal Democrats decision to spend over £1 million at Stoneleigh, to ensure that teaching and learning in the school could be improved, was taken over a year ago. However the recent uncertainty has caused anxiety and upset for parents, staff and children.”