|
STOCKTON Borough Council is today announcing substantial changes to the original proposals for secondary school education in the area following consultation with the community. The Council has amended its proposals in the light of the results of the public consultation, which took place late last year. In recent weeks, the Council has lobbied the Government to allow it to amend its original proposals for its £150 million Building Schools for the Future programme to try and better meet local aspirations. The discussions with Government officials are considered to be "very positive". Although the changes have yet to receive final agreement, the Council believes it has a strong case and will gain the Government's approval. The Council wants to increase the size of All Saints CE School in Ingleby Barwick by 50 per cent - an extra 300 pupils - the maximum the site at Blair Avenue can support. With no realistic chance of another suitable location becoming available in Ingleby Barwick in the foreseeable future, it represents the best possible opportunity for increasing secondary places there. The move would be balanced by a slight reduction in the size of Conyers and Egglescliffe schools. In Stockton, the Council is now proposing to invest in further refurbishment of Ian Ramsey CE School on its present site. This follows a transport assessment commissioned by the Council, which indicates advantages in remaining there, rather than building a new school on the same site as Our Lady and St Bede's and Grangefield Schools. And in Billingham, the Council is proposing to create a federation between the Campus School and the nearby Northfield School. Whilst each would remain independent of the other, stronger collaborative working would help both schools make the most of shared facilities and teaching to offer students the best opportunities for learning. The Council previously put forward a proposal to replace Campus with an academy. In Thornaby, the amended proposals include investment in a brand new, state-of-the-art Westlands School building for children and young people with additional needs, to replace the existing structure. Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We have moved a significant step closer to our ambition of creating inspirational learning facilities for future generations. "All of these developments result from comments received in last year's consultation. We have listened to local views, made significant changes then championed them in discussions with the Government. "Last week, we had a productive meeting with Government officials in London, where we explained the issues facing each of these schools. "Their response has been very encouraging and we will now put these ideas forward as firm proposals." Council Leader, Councillor Ken Lupton said: "The future of our young people is the Council's top priority and that's reflected in their steadily rising levels of attainment. "This is a unique opportunity to develop completely new ways of learning in the Borough and I am very pleased Government officers are listening http://www.stockton.gov.uk/ |
