main content Consultation on future of All Saints School

Consultation on the future of All Saints secondary school will get underway in the New Year following formal agreement at a meeting of the Executive on Monday, 12 December.

This follows a meeting of the Governors and Council representatives last night (Thursday, 8 December), where it was acknowledged that despite a range of significant improvements at the school and best efforts to increase its intake, low and falling pupil numbers in the surrounding area mean it is no longer educationally viable.

The Executive will consider a recommendation that will potentially see the school close in July 2007. This would involve a six-month consultation period and subsequent phased transfer of existing pupils as appropriate to their year groups (see Notes to Editors). Those families currently going through the secondary school admissions process for entry next September and who have listed All Saints as their first choice, will have the option to either replace or retain this preference (see Notes to Editors).

Staff, pupils, and parents will today (Friday, 9 December) be informed of the move and classes will continue as normal. There will be a series of meetings week commencing 9 January at which parents can hear more about the proposals, express their views and raise questions. In the meantime, a telephone help line has been set up on 020 8313 4088 (staffed between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday) to address any immediate concerns. The School Organisation Committee (which has the final say on school closures) will make the final decision on All Saints’ future in June 2006.

Commenting on the news, Dola Ward, Chair of Governors, said: ‘The news about the further drop in pupil applications has come as a dreadful blow to the Governing Body who have recently been encouraged by the great improvement in standards. They expressed their disappointment at the lack of support from the Catholic community. The time, effort and money invested into the school have begun to have a significant impact. Our exam results had improved last year and our target is to exceed 50% in 2006. The upbeat feel around the school had made everyone optimistic about the future. It is with sadness that the Governors agreed to the consultation process.’

Ken Davis, Director of Education and Libraries at the Council, said: ‘The young people of Bromley and their education are our priority. We will be listening attentively to the views of parents, pupils and staff alike as part of the consultation process to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for those affected. In the immediate future, retaining staff and ensuring continued high standards of teaching and academic achievement are paramount.’

Dilys Wadman, Director of Education at the Archdiocese of Southwark, said: ‘It is with great regret that we recognise the need for this consultation and give it our support. We are deeply saddened by this development and we will be working closely with Bromley to ensure information and help is available for parents on alternative Catholic schools.’

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Current information indicates that there may be no more than 45 Year 7 pupils starting at the school in September 2006 (based on analysis by the school and supported by the Council’s Admissions section).

2. Proposals for all students affected by the proposed consultation are:

• Year 10 and 11 students who have already embarked on their two-year GCSE course will be able to complete these as planned with no interruption to their studies.
• For Year 9 students who will be embarking on their two-year examination courses from September 2006 we will be negotiating appropriate transfer arrangements with other schools.
• Year 7 and 8 students are recommended to remain at All Saints Catholic School until closure in July 2007, at which time there will be a managed transfer to other schools for September 2007.
  
  Year 6 pupils (September 2006 entry):
  
  Option 1
  Prospective parents and pupils have the option to replace their preference for All Saints Catholic School with an alternative school. Their existing preferences will be moved up accordingly and the new school they select will be added as a lower priority.
  
  Option 2
  Prospective parents and pupils have the option to retain All Saints Catholic School as a preference for secondary transfer. If this is the highest preference school available on National Offer Day this offer will be made and the child can attend the school for Year 7 only until closure (July 2007).
  
  
  For media enquiries, please contact 020 8313 4415, or email emma.dedier@bromley.gov.uk