Statutory notice

Notice of proposal to discontinue St George’s Roman Catholic High School and Notice of proposal to re-build and enlarge the premises of St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School onto an alternative site and increase the capacity of the school by 300 pupils and change the school’s upper age limit to add a 250 place sixth form.

Part 1

Notice is given, in accordance with section 15(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, that Salford City Council intends to discontinue St George’s Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided High School, Parsonage Drive, Worsley, M28 3SH with effect from 31 August 2012.

It is proposed that from September 2012 pupils currently attending this school will be provided for mainly in the rebuilt, enlarged St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School, to be established on the former Wardley High School site.  Some pupils may initially continue to be educated at the current St George’s Roman Catholic High School site.

Admission may also be sought at other local schools, that have places available

The proposer has complied with all applicable statutory requirements to consult in relation to these proposals.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils will be provided for mainly in the rebuilt, enlarged St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School and admission may also be sought at other local schools that have places available.

In line with the underpinning principle of Salford’s Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF), the rebuilt and enlarged St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School will fully meet the Special Educational Needs Improvement Test, by the provision of fully accessible buildings, curriculum and other provision that is inclusive, thereby improving the standard, quality and range of educational provision for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.  

The former Wardley High School site is approximately 2.4 miles from St George’s Roman Catholic High School.  There are already existing bus routes for pupils to attend the rebuilt, enlarged St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School on the former Wardley High School site and the possibility of additional dedicated school bus services is also being investigated.  The Local Authority is developing a travel plan which will include a range of practical measures to increase the number of staff and pupils that walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school.

This proposal is linked to the parallel proposal (see part 2) for the re-build and enlargement of St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School onto an alternative site.

Part 2

Notice is given in accordance with section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 that Salford City Council intends to make a prescribed alteration to St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided High School, Shaftesbury Road, Swinton, M27 5SZ with effect from 1 September 2012 (from 1 September 2011 as to the proposed additional sixth form provision).

As part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, Salford City Council is proposing to:

(a)  enlarge the premises of St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School in a new building on the former Wardley High School site (fronted on Manchester Road (A6), adjacent to Grasmere and Mardale Avenues and accessed via Ash Drive), from 1 September 2012;

(b) increase the admission number by 60 pupils per year group, from 1 September 2012;

(c)  change the school’s upper age limit to add (at the former Wardley High School site) a 250 place sixth form, from 1 September 2011.

The current number of pupils registered at St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School is 733.

The school’s current net capacity is 744 pupils (with a determined admission number of 150 pupils).  Under the proposals, the net capacity of the school will increase to 1300 (with a proposed admission number of 210 in the relevant age group in the year the proposals are implemented plus a 250 place sixth form).

This Notice is an extract from the complete proposal. A complete copy of the proposal can be downloaded below.

Copies of the complete proposal can also be obtained from:

Kathryn Mildenstein,
Children’s Services Directorate,
Minerva House,
Pendlebury Road,
Swinton,
M27 4EQ.

Tel: 0161 778 0420
Email: kathryn.mildenstein@salford.gov.uk
Fax: 0161 728 6098

Within six weeks (in the case of Part 1) and within four weeks (in the case of Part 2) from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to or make comments on the proposals by sending them in writing to:

Kathryn Mildenstein,
Children's Services Directorate,
Minerva House,
Pendlebury Road,
Swinton,
M27 4EQ.

Signed: B Spicer Dated: 5 February 2009
Barbara Spicer, Chief Executive, Salford City Council

Explanatory Notes

1. It is likely that the existing St George’s Roman Catholic High School building will be used to accommodate some pupils in the first two years from 2012.  The management of pupils will be finalised in consultation with the headteachers and governing bodies of St Ambrose Barlow and St George’s Roman Catholic High Schools and will be based on ensuring the best possible transition and continuity of education for pupils.
2. In line with the underpinning principle of Salford’s Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF); the rebuilt and enlarged St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School will fully meet the Special Educational Needs Improvement Test.  By the provision of fully accessible buildings, curriculum and other provision that is inclusive, thereby improving the standard, quality and range of educational provision for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
3. The BSF programme is a major capital scheme which is intended to enable the rebuilding or substantial refurbishment of all secondary schools in England over the next 10-15 years.  It is the vision of Salford City Council to improve educational standards and help all pupils to achieve their potential.
4. By way of clarification, the additional sixth form provision at St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic High School will be provided at the former Wardley High School site from 1 September 2011.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009