SALFORD'S education boss has launched a scathing attack on a decision to keep open a school which the council wanted to shut.
At a heated meeting of Salford council, Coun John Warmisham said he was 'incredulous and angry' at the decision by the decision of the independent school's adjudicator, Canon Richard Lindley, to keep St George's RC High in Walkden open.
His decision followed a high-profile three-year campaign by led by headteacher Phil Harte.
The council decided that to secure £182m to refurbish and build new secondary schools in the city St George's had to close - and voted to close it in May.
But Canon Lindley said it was not in the best interests of the community to close a successful and popular 600-pupil school.
He also suggested that one option might be that St George's should take over neighbouring Harrop Fold High, which has huge spare capacity.
Coun Warmisham told councillors: "The adjudicator's decision flies in the face of ensuring all our children have the opportunity to learn in world class buildings - that are assets to all families in the community that underpin the social cohesion of our communities through giving purpose and structure for our young people.
"In a single act he has potentially doomed the children and young people in St George's with little hope for the future - a small school, with no capital investment, with plateau-ing results, not working with others - this is not sustainable.
"We are a city of rich diversity - this school has positioned itself as an island, against the wishes of the diocese. It makes me angry that the adjudicator sees fit to rule to keep this island, effectively giving up a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"Despite the divisive and offensive media campaign that the head teacher has waged the council and other schools have not got embroiled. I am therefore incredulous that based on only partial analysis of our city the adjudicator has ruled as he has."
St George's has remained oversubscribed despite the turmoil and its record for pupils gaining five A to C GCSEs has risen from 47 per cent in 2005 to 61 per cent last year.
Councillor Norman Owen, leader of the city's Liberal Democrats, said: "The council drove this - without listening to the opposition. They didn't listen to us or the community because arrogantly they never thought for one minute they would lose. Councillor Warmisham should consider his position."
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Mark, South Manchester (19/11/2009 at 10:10)
It is New Labour who have "doomed" the children of Salford to a poor education, nobody else. And if these rotten councillors are now saying they can't sort it out, then isn't it about time the people of Salford voted in politicians who can? Maybe Salford needs an "elected" mayor for a start!!!
AngusDangus, Salford (19/11/2009 at 12:07)
Occasionally agreed with, Heald Green (19/11/2009 at 12:33)
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (19/11/2009 at 12:58)
Ali Patel, Longsight (19/11/2009 at 13:10)
zarquon, bramhall (19/11/2009 at 14:02)
Strange how they both seem hell bent on letting schools crumble and the children suffer and then selling the land to large developers for profitable housing.
Stephen Morris - English Democrats Party, Greater Manchester (19/11/2009 at 14:16)
Is this a once in a life time chance lost like he says, absolutely not, it was going to be tax payers money that was going to fund the changes and tax payers money will still be there when they come up with a more suitable plan for the education system in Salford.
First get Councillors who are capable of doing the Job then things might start to change for the better.
also put the need of the people above themselves,
Buzz, Moston (19/11/2009 at 18:00)
No wonder the councillor is angry
Teressa Jen Huzof (19/11/2009 at 22:15)
Yet again there is ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ being spouted by our aspirational leader John Boy, with Merry’s spiralling popularity gaining more momentum. John needs to accept his proposals were as much use as an iceberg dumped in the Sahara . He has single handedly sought to remove the right of a Catholic education from Little Hulton families eroding diversity yet claims we are in a ‘city of rich diversity’.
Does he speak before he knows facts? We wonder. He claims that ‘this school has positioned itself as an island, against the wishes of the diocese’. Have we heard the stance of the diocese following all of this? I think not.
John Boy also casts the aspersion that St George’s are ‘not working with others’. I take it they don’t have working relationships with other schools in the authority? I take it they are not participating in school liaisons with partner primary schools? I take it Salford’s LEA have no positive influences emanating from St George’s staff? Do you know John Boy? Have you been there? Oops…..no you’ve not, say the local press……
Merry speaks of ‘plateau-ing results’ in a school where GCSEs has risen from 47 per cent in 2005 to 61 per cent last year; where including Maths and English, their plateau still hold better viewpoints than most schools Merry supports with such fervent passion. My sides split with his wonderful humour. John Boy, have you an album due for release containing your classic one-liners?
As for the ‘divisive and offensive media campaign’ you claim John Boy. Have you ever read your own comments? That man, Harte holds values, wisdom and a fervent passion in justice. What are your beliefs rooted in? You are wading in mud and sinking fast, I am afraid. Logic dictates and am afraid your shallow words do not.
Merry loves to waffle…….
Teresa Huzof, Winton
D J (19/11/2009 at 23:23)
alan todd (20/11/2009 at 00:03)
Phil Holt (20/11/2009 at 17:18)
YOUR PLANS FOR THE CHILDREN OF SALFORD WERE WRONG!
Its now time you got over it! It is time you started to rebuild the bridges you still seem to be working so hard to destroy. Attacking Mr Harte & St George’s makes you look like a petulant fool! What a true servant of the people of Salford would be doing is finding a way to benefit ALL our children by moving forward and positively supporting ALL our schools with a fair share of the BSF money. Now is the time to stop harping on about how the adjudicator spoilt your plans and try to salvage some professional respect, by showing you can sort this mess out and you should work with Mr Harte and the other head teachers to provide ALL the children of Salford with the ‘world class’ learning spaces they deserve.
Phil Holt(council tax payer)