PR 2727
A decision on the next steps to create a new £15m state-of-the-art secondary school will be made on Thursday 2 November.
A school organisation committee will consider closing South Leys and Thomas Sumpter schools and creating one new school. The proposal is a key part of the council's bid to the Government to transform secondary education in Scunthorpe. A total investment of over £75m will only go ahead if the merger is given the green light.
Falling pupil numbers means that this part of Scunthorpe can only support one viable school. Government guidelines on pupil numbers mean that they would not support a bid for funding that includes the two schools. Without the merger the whole £75m for Scunthorpe would be lost.
A decision on the merger will be made by a school organisation committee (SOC). This is made up of five groups - councillors, school representatives, Roman Catholic diocese, Church of England diocese and the Learning and Skills Council. If SOC fails to reach a decision then it will go to a Government-appointed school adjudicator which will delay or even jeopardise the whole BSF programme.
The council has consulted extensively on its plans. Two meetings were held at each school. Over 2,800 letters were sent out and 32 parents attended a public meeting about the merger in June. An official notice about the merger was printed in the local media before the Summer holidays. People were asked to send in any objections to the merger before Wednesday 4 October. The council has received 33 official objections to the plans and 16 objections to the choice of site for the new school. These will be considered by SOC.
Cllr Margaret Sidell, cabinet member for education, said:
"The decision on the merger of the two schools is a massive one for North Lincolnshire - the whole £75m investment into secondary schools rests on the decision of the School Organisation Committee.
"I am sure the committee will consider all the facts and objections before coming to a decision on what is best for the long-term future of education in the area".
For further information please contact: Dave Watson on 01724 296345. Email: dave.watson@northlincs.gov.uk.