Consultation on school's future
21 November, 2008
Following a request from school governors, the Council will seek views on the formal legal closure of the school in its current form - which in turn will provide the potential to deliver more flexible education on the site and respond to the 14 - 19 agenda in line with the needs of the White Hills Park Federation.
A number of factors have formed part of the governors’ discussions and have led them to request a consultation on the future of the school, so that they can secure education provision for pupils at the school now and in the future. These factors include:
falling pupil numbers across the area
projected budget deficits
the need to rationalise staffing across the federation in order to achieve economies of scale.
However, the overarching factor is that of the structure of the buildings. For health and safety reasons, a large proportion of the accommodation has been deemed unsafe for use by the school. This has had a major impact on the capacity of the teaching accommodation available and many students on roll are being taught at other local schools, with no prospect of returning to the Bramcote Hills site.
As part of the consultation, views will be sought on developing the Bramcote Hills site for 14 - 19 education, and the organisation of the remaining schools in the federation - Bramcote Park and Alderman White - to respond to changing needs.
Coun Joyce Bosnjak, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, "The governors of Bramcote Hills Sport and Community College have asked us to consult on the formal closure of the school - one part of the White Hills Park Federation. While this exercise will look at the closure of the school offering 11-18 education, we will also be considering the future use of the site as a 14 - 19 campus.
“This will enable us to address a number of concerns relating to the Bramcote Hill site, the wider needs of the federation and the pupils it serves."
The decision will be made at the County Council's Cabinet meeting on November 26.
By News Correspondent.
