Academy option for Stoneleigh Primary

STONELEIGH Primary School could be turned into an academy.
Oldham Council has confirmed that it is being considered as an option for the Derker school.

The future of the school was thrown into doubt last March when its £1.1 million refurbishment was halted amid concerns about falling rolls and the number of houses for families in the area.

It followed the Government’s decision to halt the multi-million Housing Market Renewal programme to build new houses, which left residents surrounded by vast empty spaces.

At the time the council said that every option was available for Stoneleigh, including closure. Building work then resumed in June when the council stressed its commitment to the school’s long-term future.

Stoneleigh was rated as satisfactory in its last two Ofsted inspections and an emergency governing body was appointed.

It is now part of a partnership with the outstanding Spring Brook Special School, Werneth, under its head teacher Janet Jones.

A monitoring visit by the education watchdog in 2009 found that Stoneleigh was making satisfactory progress in making improvements.

Councillor Hugh McDonald, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “Stoneleigh is not a failing school but it has had a lot of problems. It hasn’t had a head teacher for quite a while, this is why Janet Jones has come in.

“We have good work going on there under the executive head . The school is on the up, it is which way we progress that.”

Mr McDonald confirmed that turning the school into an academy was one of the options being considered.

Oldham has six secondary school academies which have greater freedoms than other schools.

Three are run by sponsors — the social enterprise E-ACT, Oasis Community Learning and Oldham College.

The other academies are at Hathershaw, Blue Coat and Crompton House.

Oasis also sponsors the borough’s only primary school academy, Oasis Academy Limeside.

Mr McDonald added: “Discussions about Stoneleigh Primary School are currently taking place. Given that this is an ongoing and sensitive matter, it would be inappropriate to comment in detail.

“The future of the school and of its pupils is secure.

“However, all options on the future of the school as being explored in order to capitalise on recent improvements and act in the pupils’ best interests.”