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HEAD Philip Harte is sure to be disappointed by the news that his school’s closure will go ahead.
HEAD Philip Harte is sure to be disappointed by the news that his school’s closure will go ahead.
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School closure is confirmed

Emma Fitzgerald
16/11/2006

THE closure of St George's High School was rubber stamped by councillors despite an eleventh hour attempt by opposition members to block the move.

In a heated debate at the full council on Wednesday members argued about the proposal to close the Walkden school.

Tory councillors put forward an amendment to the cabinet Building Schools for the Future plans to include St George's in the council bid for £110 million of Government funding.

But the motion was rejected by the ruling Labour group.

Questions were raised over the strength given to views made during the public consultation event and the need to rush the 'illogical' decision through.

Labour Councillor Bernard Pennington said: "Our only bone of contention in the proposals is the closure of St George's.

"We cannot support the closure of a successful school."

He said mistakes have been made with the amalgamation of two schools to form Harrop Fold and described it as 'a double blow' for the same community.

He said: "Harrop Fold is now recovering but that has taken some time, not only in the performance of the school but in the feelings of people towards that school."

Tory Councillor Iain Lindley put forward the amendment.

He said: "The consultation has been a sham. Not one single one of the public questionnaires has had the slightest impact on this decision.

"St George's is a successful high achieving school at the heart of the community - one of three in the city that are consistently over subscribed.

"There is no justification for closing that school."

Tory leader Karen Garrido said: "We are asking you to take this back and include St George's in your business plan.

"We're begging you to do that - for once please can you listen and do what we're saying."

Councillor John Warmisham, lead member for education, admitted he had had sleepless nights over the proposals but was adamant they are best for the city overall.

He said: "This hasn't been easy but we don't get elected as councillors to make easy decisions.

"We must not lose sight that this isn't just about St George's it's about a citywide proposal.

"It's about our children and young people, not in the here and now, but in the future. I have not taken this decision lightly there are not enough Catholics in that area to continue a Catholic secondary school.

"Building Schools for the Future is about improving education standards and helping pupils across Salford."

The councils strategic business case will now be submitted to the Department for Education and Skills and for detailed plans will go to the Government early next year.


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   So the closure of St. George's is confirmed? I understand that Salford needs the backing of the Diocese to actually close the school. What Salford councillors have actually voted for is to omit St. George's from the BSF initiative, meaning the school is the only one in Salford not benefiting from the Government funding. I doubt Councillor Warmisham has had as many sleepless nights as the staff at St. George's who now face a very uncertain future. He says it was not an easy decision ~ is that because in his heart of hearts he knows that it is the wrong one? Again, Cllr Warmisham plays the 'Catholic' card ~ he hasn't listened to anything that has been said. St. George's is a Catholic school serving the community. It offers an education with a Catholic ethos at its heart ~ non-Catholics are welcome and always have been! Many people choose the school because it is a faith school. Maybe figures are dropping, but surely as our society becomes more faithless, we should be encouraging schools like St. George's. In this unstable time we should be reminding our children of our Christian heritage. If the school closes it will be another nail in the coffin for the Catholic community ~ surely we should be trying to rebuild not destroy. Whilst my main concern is St. George's, as I have said all along, I think the whole proposal needs reconsideration. It is supposed to be a proposal for the future ~ but I don't think this has been thought through and I fear for the future of secondary education in Salford. The future of our children is in the hands of these people ~ where will they be in 10 years' time?
A Finch, Walkden
17/11/2006 at 17:05
   I am gobsmacked not only by the decision, but also the attitude of the majority of the Labour Group on the Council.

This decision affects people's livelihoods and the futures of thousands of children in Walkden, Little Hulton and across Worsley. Those children - current pupils, future pupils and those who are not yet even a twinkle in their parents' eyes - deserve better than this rushed and completely inadequate decision.
Cllr Iain Lindley, Walkden
16/11/2006 at 22:35
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