School projects saved

This is an archived news story from July 2010

Salford City Council's £165 million overhaul of high schools has escaped a national review of the programme.

But councillors are warning parents and headteachers not to be complacent. "We still have a long way to go and all we've been told this week is that our proposals are on the same track they were on previously," said lead member for children's services Cllr Margaret Morris.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a national initiative aimed at revamping the country's high schools through a mix of government grants and private investment.

But the government announced in May a complete review of all public spending plans.

On Monday, new education secretary Michael Gove announced what would happen to the BSF programme.

All Salford schools in the programme were listed as "unaffected".

Cllr Morris added: "The announcement confirms only that we can still proceed with the proposals we have, it does not mean we can fast-track or bypass any of the processes."

The proposals for Salford, agreed in February, are:

The Swinton and Moorside High Schools - both schools to close and a one new school to be built on a single campus.

This will include 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 - rebuild the school on a site at Wardley for 750 pupils (11 to 16) with a post-16 provision for 250 pupils.

St Patrick’s RC High School - rebuild. The school is rebuilt for 900 pupils as an 11 to 16 PFI school.

All Hallows RC High School - refurbishment or enhancement on the existing site at its existing capacity of 600 places.

St George’s RC High School - refurbish or enhance St George’s RC High School at its existing capacity of 549 places (11 to 16 provision) on its existing site.

The Catholic schools and the diocese are being asked to put forward any further options for Roman Catholic secondary education in the city.

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 Department for Education.

The proposal is for 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.

Salford City Council leader Council leader Cllr John Merry said: "We've been spared the worst effects of the devastation and havoc other authorities have faced and for that I suppose we should be grateful. Having feared the worst we can now plan for the best once again.

"I am sure parents and schools around the city will also be breathing a sigh of relief. While our plans stay on track we all need to remember that we still have to do the hard work to make these hopes a reality."

Date published: Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Reference number: 10-2653

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