Plans for a new joint church school in Macclesfield have taken a further step.
Cheshire’s Executive Member for Children’s Services David Rowlands has approved the issue of statutory public notices, proposing the closure of St Barnabas Church of England Primary School and St Edwards Catholic Primary School in July 2009.
The Dioceses of Chester and Shrewsbury would then propose to establish a new joint Church school on the current St Edward’s Catholic Primary School site with effect from September 2009.
At the same meeting today, (Wednesday) County Councillor Rowlands also authorised discussions with the governing body of Ash Grove Primary School to enter into an agreement.
This would be supported by an action plan with specific measurable targets to develop and improve the school over a three year period.
And he recommended to Cheshire East Council that the position of Ash Grove Primary School be reviewed in October 2011.
County Councillor Rowlands also noted positive developments in relation to a possible federation between Bollington St John’s Church of England Primary School and Pott Shrigley Church of England Primary School and requested that they, along with the other three primary schools in the town, should continue to work together.
He encouraged them to continue their current discussion to develop detailed proposals.
The proposed ‘hard’ federation would bring both schools together with one head teacher and one governing body for the two schools
“This stage of the TLC review provides the last opportunity for local people to make their views known before a final decision on the possible joint church school will be made in the New Year” said County Councillor Rowlands.
“We will now also formally enter into an agreement with the governing body of Ash Grove Primary School with the aim of significantly improving the school quickly.
“And talks will continue between Bollington St John’s Church of England Primary School and Pott Shrigley Church of England Primary School, who are investigating the possibility of a ‘hard’ federation between the two.”
The recommendations of the School Planning Select Panel had previously been discussed by Council on October 16 and had been sent to County Councillor Rowlands for approval.
