main content All Saints recommended for closure

The Council’s executive has approved the proposal to close All Saints Catholic School after 70 per cent of respondents during a consultation agreed this was the best course of action.

Meetings with parents and carers of students were held prior to and during the formal consultation and pupils’ views were sought through a meeting with the school council.

Falling pupil numbers and a rising budget deficit mean it would be unsustainable to keep the West Wickham school open and maintain a viable curriculum. It is proposed to close All Saints in August 2007 with a managed transfer of pupils to other schools.

Director of Education and Libraries Ken Davis said: “This was never going to be an easy decision to have to take and we do it with a heavy heart. But we believe that, ultimately, it is in the best interests of the young people whose futures rest on receiving the best education we can offer.

“It is important to stress that this decision in no way reflects the standard of teaching at All Saints. During consultation it was heartening to hear parents talking about the commitment shown by teaching staff, and that their children were happy at the school.

“It is deeply regrettable that, despite everyone’s efforts, we were unable to undo the damage done to the school’s reputation and have the chance to show more parents that this was an improving school with a future.”

The Council’s intention to close All Saints will now be subject to a period of statutory consultation, during which formal objections can be raised. In the event of any such objection, the final decision will rest with the independent school organisation committee.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Briefing meetings with parents and carers were held at the school on 10, 17 and 19 January. 
• Formal consultation was held between 2 February and 17 March. 
  A total of 263 people attended one or more of the briefing/consultation meetings, and 109 people responded in writing.
• Of these, 76 respondents agreed with closure (70 per cent), 26 disagreed with closure (24 per cent) and seven (six per cent) did not know or expressed no opinion. 
• The following managed transfer of students is proposed: 
• Years 10 and 11 – complete education at All Saints. 
• Year 9 – transfer to other schools in September 2006. 
• Years 7 and 8 – transfer to other schools in September 2007.
• The school organisation committee is a body independent of the Council, made up of five groups representing: Bromley councillors; the Church of England; the Roman Catholic Church; the Learning and Skills Council; and non voluntary aided schools. 
• In the event of the SOC not reaching a unanimous decision, the matter is referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator, appointed by, but independent of, the Department for Education and Skills.
• Full details about the proposal and the outcomes from consultation can be found on the Council’s website www.bromley.gov.uk
  
• For media enquiries, please email richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk or call 020 8313 4310