Threatened school looks set to stay

From the archive, first published Friday 10th Feb 2006.

One Bradford school looks set to be saved from closure and will instead reduce its annual intake by ten pupils from September 2007.

Staff, governors, parents and children at Fagley Primary had feared that the school would be closed due to problems with surplus places. But if Bradford Council's Executive committee approves changes to its admission policy for next year at a meeting next Tuesday, it will be able to stay open.

Pupils have written letters and the school has also collected signatures to stop the closure.

Headteacher Anne Keogan said: "Myself, the governors, the staff and the children are really pleased that they are keeping the school open."

She said the recommendation to reduce the intake from 30 pupils each year to 20 would eliminate the problem of surplus places at the school and was a much more realistic figure.

"We are all very pleased that the school is staying open. The children clapped and cheered when I told them the news," said Mrs Keogan.

The other options that were considered for Fagley were to close the school, keep the status quo or become a federation with another school. The school had 33 per cent surplus places.

Haworth Primary will also be reducing its intake from September 2007 from 45 pupils to 30 as it currently has a surplus of 15 per cent. The school was in favour of the reduction. And Wyke Manor Community College plans to reduce its intake from 240 pupils to 180 pupils from September; its surplus currently stands at more than 25 per cent. The recommendation going to the committee is that the school occupy the site at Mayfield Avenue only from September with the suggestion that the former Middle School site be used as a vocational training centre.

Councillor Dale Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for education, said: "Surplus places can be costly and reducing intake can have a positive effect on the whole of a school and allow it to run more efficiently and effectively."

Each surplus place costs the Council £1,300. Schools, governors, parents and other interested parties were all consulted on the proposed changes to be made.

The Executive committee has been recommended to approve all of the proposals at its meeting next Tuesday at City Hall.

The committee will also be discussing whether or not to change the Council's admission policy for community and voluntary-controlled schools.

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