New school plans revealed

This is an archived news story from February 2010

Revised proposals to overhaul Salford’s high schools have been unveiled for the first time.

Under the new plans, to go before councillors for approval, there are options being put forward for consultation for some schools as well as definitive proposals for others.

The £165 million plans propose:

The Swinton and Moorside High Schools - closure and a new-build campus.

This will include an “all-through” provision from age three to 16 as a new, larger Moorside Primary School would be built as well. The high schools remain part of a joint approach, with closure for both proposed.

A single, 1,350-place high school for 11-16-year-olds would replace them.

This would be built on the current Moorside playing fields through the PFI process (a mix of private and public funding).

The current Moorside school site would also be used for sports facilities.

Wentworth High School - partial new build plus refurbishment.

There would be some new additions to the school building, complementing elements already rebuilt.

It would have a minimum 750-pupil capacity and includes the provision of a Learning Recovery Unit (facilities for young people who require extra support for their learning) and provision for children on the autistic spectrum.

St Ambrose Barlow RC High School - a number of options proposed ranging from rebuilding to refurbishment. The sixth-form proposal remains funded from an alternative source.

Option 1 - To rebuild the school on a site at Wardley for 750 pupils (11 to 16) with a post-16 provision for 250 pupils. This would require funding from Partnership for Schools if funding from the Learning and Skills Council cannot be secured.
Option 2 - If sixth-form funding cannot be secured then the school, diocese and other schools will be invited to submit alternative proposals. These could include closures and amalgamation, which would make a new building a viable possibility.
Option 3 - Refurbishment of the current school if Options 1 and 2 cannot be agreed.

St Patrick’s RC High School - rebuild

The school is rebuilt for 900 pupils as an 11 to 16 PFI school. The Learning and Skills Council has confirmed there is no funding available for a sixth-form.

All Hallows RC High School - linked to St Ambrose Barlow’s options.

Option 1 - Depending on the outcome of the proposal for St Ambrose Barlow school, the school, in partnership with the diocese and other schools would be invited to submit alternative proposals, including the possibility of closures and amalgamation, which would make a new building a viable possibility.
Option 2 - Retain and refurbish/enhance All Hallows RC High School on its existing site.

St George’s RC High School - linked to St Ambrose Barlow’s options.

Option 1 - Depending on the outcome of the proposal for St Ambrose Barlow school, St George’s, in partnership with the diocese and other schools, be invited to submit alternative proposals, including the possibility of closures and amalgamation, which would make a new building a viable possibility.
Option 2 - Retain, refurbish or enhance St George’s RC High School at its existing capacity of 550 places (11 to 16 provision) on its existing site.

Oasis Academy MediaCityUK

The school is being built through the BSF programme but will be managed independently by Oasis Community Learning and funded from the DCSF.

Following discussions with Oasis Community Learning, the Department for Children Schools and Families and Partnership for Schools, Oasis Academy MediaCityUK be rebuilt for 900 pupils (11 to 16) with a 250 place post-16 provision, on the Salford Quays site.

Walkden High School and Irlam and Cadishead Community High School

Construction has started at Walkden for 1,500 pupils and at Irlam and Cadishead Community High School for 900, 11-16 pupils, with a 150-place sixth-form to open in September 2011.

The effect of the Schools Adjudicators decision to not allow the closure of St George’s meant education planners in the city had to re-examine the BSF programme.

Closure of St George’s would have provided pupils with the option to attend an enlarged, newly built St Ambrose Barlow, or one of the community schools in the area.

It would have released extra funding from the sale of the then redundant site.

Salford City Council leader Council leader Cllr John Merry said: “I cannot deny the decision of the School’s Adjudicator was a setback as it meant we had to completely rethink our proposals because of the knock-on effects on funding and pupil numbers.

“We have had to make less money go further so this is why there are more refurbishment options proposed than in our previous programme. “The new plan is solid and positive and will make a difference to all of our high schools and the pupils who attend them.

“We have still not completed our BSF journey but I am confident that we are now back on the right road and heading in the right direction. As we continue this journey we will work closely with the schools and our partners to ensure we deliver what was always our shared goal - the best learning environment for our young people.”

Lead member for children’s services, Cllr John Warmisham said: “We have remained focused on providing our young people with the best options we can.

“The new BSF programme will still transform our high schools and give to our future generations the best opportunity to achieve and to match their aspirations.”

Notes for editors

The Schools Adjudicator will hold a public consultation on the closure proposals for The Swinton and Moorside High Schools.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years.

The aim is to rebuild or renew England’s state secondary schools estate during the lifetime of the programme.

129 schools across England are now benefitting from BSF investment. PfS is the government’s delivery agent for the full suite of capital investment programmes into schools, including Building Schools for the Future; the Academies programme; the Primary Capital Programme; and the Devolved and Targeted Capital Programmes.

Date published: Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Reference number: 10-2569

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Email: public.relations@salford.gov.uk