Local Interest
More Threats of Closure for Local Schools
By
May 22, 2008, 12:57

It appears that more schools than initially expected may be closed down in order to keep with the pace of falling school rolls.

A panel which have assessed the Transforming Learning Communities (TLC)  process said that by 2012 - only 4 years from now - 1600 places need to be cut from Cheshire schools.

Under the proposals that exist now, Ash Grove Primary School, St. Barnabas C of E School and St.Edwards Catholic primary school would all be closed, leaving one school to serve the south of Macclesfield. Bollington St. John's school would also be shut and more places made available at Bollington Cross C of E school instead.

The TLC programme first came into action in 2005, and one of the jobs it had to deal with was reducing surplus places in many schools in the area, which was due to a fall in student numbers.

The situation is of course very sensitive, with supporters for and against the TLC. Parents are naturally worried about the disruptive effect on their children, and on the communities the schools serve as a whole.

On the other hand, those who support the TLC are talking in terms of money and cost effectiveness; as surplus dwindles, the system will become more cost effective. The Cheshire average for cost per pupil is £2903 per year.