Response to issues
Admissions - Oasis Community Learning have agreed that they will adopt Salford City Council’s admission criteria. These criteria have to be reviewed and consulted upon annually. It is not possible to give a guarantee that a particular group of pupils will always be given preferential treatment, in respect of admission to any school. However, both Oasis and the council are committed to ensuring, that pupils attending Hope High School, will be guaranteed a place in the new Academy when it closes . If current admissions criteria continue, then the younger brothers and sisters of pupils at the Academy would be given preference.
Curriculum - Details of the curriculum have not yet been established, however, the Academy will offer a distinctive curriculum and range of learning opportunities in order to meet the aims of diversity and offer distinctive choice. Accreditation of students will follow the mainstream, and media specific routes, generally within the QCA qualifications, framework, including GCSE’s, BTEC’s and other vocational qualifications, ASDAN, AS and A Levels.
Demographics - It is anticipated, based on current and projected pupil numbers, that the Academy will remain viable. The Academy will be a modern purpose-built building, close to MediaCityUK in an attractive location and will offer the best opportunities possible. It is anticipated that this will be appealing to both parents and pupils.
Funding - The Academy funding will come from both Oasis Community Learning and Central Government.
Governance - The Governing Body of the Academy will be made up of parent and staff governors, people from the community appointed for their skills and abilities, alongside representatives from the DCSF, the Local Authority and Oasis Community Learning.
Links to the Local Authority - The Academy will have the opportunity to buy into services form the Local Authority.
Name - No decision on the name of the school as been made. Consultation will be undertaken with the governing body, staff and pupils nearer the time of the opening of the Academy.
Alternative options - The current proposal to close Hope High and replace with an Academy is a linked proposal. Therefore, if the proposal is not approved then the Local Authority would have to explore further options for Hope High School, as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.
Parental Choice - There continues to be a choice of high schools in the area and the development of the Academy is part of the provision of greater choice and diversity of schools across the city. In this context it will be important that the Academy offers a distinctive curriculum and range of learning opportunities. It will differ from other schools in the locality in order to meet the aims of diversity, and offer a really distinctive choice.
Pastoral Care/ Standards in Education - Central to the ethos of the Academy will be the idea of a rich and balanced educational environment- academically, vocationally, socially, morally, spiritually, physically, emotionally and environmentally. Oasis Community Learning believes that this can be achieved through high quality facilities, outstanding staff, clear leadership, a positive, affirming environment and a partnership between students, parents and the Academy.
Site and outdoor facilities - The main reason for not re-building Hope High School on its existing site, is that projected pupil numbers in the area would not justify 2 new community high schools, in such close proximity; i.e. Hope High and Buile Hill High Schools. Children of all faiths, and none, will be equally welcome at the Academy.
Detailed physical plans for the Academy including sporting facilities have not yet been produced. However, consideration is already being given to the provision of off-site facilities, in addition to those provided adjacent to the academy. There are a number of options being explored at the moment, but these are in the early stages of development. However, it is true to say that it is extremely important to the City Council and to Oasis Community Learning that we provide high quality sporting facilities both on site and as close to the academy as possible.
Staffing - In respect of staffing at the Academy all staff employed at the time of closure, including non-teaching staff will transfer to the Academy under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment ) Regulations. Oasis is committed to ensuring that teachers’ national pay and conditions will be safeguarded. The Headteacher post has to be advertised, however the current Headteacher can apply for the post if he wishes to.
Transition - The Local Authority will continue to provide Hope High School with additional support during the transitional period, with pupils’ needs firmly at the heart of any arrangements.
Transport and Traveling - There are plans to invest significantly in the public transport system in Salford in the next five years. The proposed Academy will be situated on Metrolink and bus routes. Salford City Council and Oasis Community Learning will consider how best to support displaced pupils for whom the distance between home and the Academy is greater than the distance between home and the current Hope High school site.
Further detailed work will be undertaken by Salford City Council and Oasis Community Learning on this. The Local Authority are also developing a travel plan which will include a range of practical measures to increase the number of staff and pupils who walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school. Issues relating to the environmental impact of an over-reliance on car usage will form part of the curriculum offered in the Academy.
This page was last updated on 4 October 2009
