Decision details

The six week representation period for the statutory notice published on 16th December 2010 proposing the closure of Culverhay school ends on 26th January 2011 and a decision was taken on 23-Feb-11 but was Called-in.  Council will consider the Call-in at a Special meeting on 14^th July and Cabinet will meet on the rising of Council to consider the recommendations from Council, if any.

On a motion from Councillor Nathan Hartley, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) That it wishes to REVERSE the earlier decision and to decide instead not to close Culverhay School;

(2) To INSTRUCT the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, to instigate the statutory revocation procedure and to report back to a future Cabinet meeting on any representations received in respect thereof

The Cabinet were very conscious that the local community was strongly in favour of allowing Culverhay School to seek co-educational status either as an Academy or as a Free School, and wanted to allow the school and community an opportunity to make applications to the Secretary of State to this effect.  The school had been very clear for over 15 years that its aim was to become co-educational.

The new Administration’s policy in regard to Culverhay School was different from that of the previous Administration and new funds had been identified to support the school in its aims.  The Cabinet took the view that it was necessary to have some empty places across the authority to ensure that there could be some parental choice.

The Cabinet were also conscious of the increase in home to school travel which would have been a consequence of closing the school.

The Cabinet could have confirmed the original decision to close the school but it felt that the arguments for this course of action were not persuasive.