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All Saints Catholic School - Closure
Bromley Council's Executive approved the proposal to close All Saints Catholic School on 10 April 2006. Following six weeks of statutory consultation during May/June 2006, no objections to closure were raised. Bromley Council has therefore decided to close the school with effect from August 2007.
Closure
Bromley Council, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Southwark and the Governors of the school, has progressed a proposal to close All Saints Catholic School with effect from August 2007. This followed careful consideration, following a difficult period for the school lasting several years, of the current demand for places at the school and a forecast of pupil population trends. All parties concerned concluded that, regrettably, the school was not educationally viable in the longer term.
Following extensive local consultation and in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act (1998) (Section 29), the closure proposal was subject to formal Public Notices with a six-week period to enable registering of any objections. A detailed Statement of Case was also prepared. Members of the School Organisation Committee (SOC) were sent copies of the Public Notice and Statement of Case on 24 May 2006. No objections were received during the six week statutory period. In circumstances whereby no objections are registered, Schedule 6, Paragraph 4(1) of the Act empowers the Local Authority to determine the proposal for closure without the need for a decision by SOC. Members of SOC were advised of this on Friday, 23 June 2006.
Arrangements are well in hand to ensure the smooth transfer to other local schools of the remaining pupils. This includes an early transfer of Year 9 pupils to their new schools before the end of this academic year, enabling them to settle in before starting their GCSE options in September. There will be no intake of new pupils at All Saints in September. Meanwhile, we have assured the Governors of our commitment to providing the highest possible quality of education for the pupils who remain, to work with other schools to ensure their smooth transfer at the appropriate time, and to ensure an equitable disposal of the assets.
Background Information
Over the last few years, everyone involved with the school has worked together to achieve significant improvements. However, despite the huge progress made, the school is faced with pupil numbers that continue to fall due to the lack of demand from parents. We have looked carefully at forecasts of future pupil population trends in the area, which show low and falling pupil numbers. Following discussions between Bromley Council, the Archdiocese of Southwark and the school's governing body, the Council's Executive agreed at its meeting on 12 December 2005 to consult on the closure of the school in August 2007.
Consultation Process
The process, consultation period, dates of parent and public meetings and how to let us have your comments were included in the consultation leaflet, which was published and sent to parents and other stakeholders on Friday 3 February 2006. The deadline for comments was 17 March 2006.
Bromley Council's Executive met on 10 April 2006 to consider a report on the outcomes from consultation and approved the proposal to close All Saints Catholic School. The intention to close All Saints was subject to a period of six-week statutory consultation in May/June 2006, during which formal objections could be raised. In the event, no objections were raised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we provide the answers to a number of frequently asked questions on the proposal.
Reports and News Releases
Notes of Parent and Public Meetings
Contact
Help Line: 020 8313 4088 (8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday)
Parents of pupils at All Saints Catholic School can also contact Bromley Council's Admissions Team on 020 8313 4044 for advice and guidance about transfer to other schools.
Telephone: 020 8313 4044
Fax: 020 8313 4145
E-mail: school.admissions@bromley.gov.uk
For general enquiries about the consultation please contact Kevin Gerred, Planning and Communication Officer.
Telephone: 020 8313 4024
Fax: 020 8313 4049
E-mail: education.planning@bromley.gov.uk
Address: Kevin Gerred, Planning and Communication Officer, Children and Young People Department, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH.