22/12/2008 - Barrow Academy site options - cabinet recommendation

An Academy for Barrow based on two sites is being recommended for approval by Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet.

The meeting on Tuesday 6th January 2009 at Forum 28 in Barrow will consider a report from Children’s Services Corporate Director Moira Swann which includes feedback from the recent public consultation process.

The report reveals that more than three- to-one of those who responded to the consultation questionnaire favoured a two campus site over a single site option.

68.1 per cent preferred an Academy permanently based at the Parkview and Thorncliffe school sites. 24.8 per cent said the school should be built on one site at Parkview.

No preference was made by 2.3 per cent and no response by 4.8 per cent.

The results were based on results from 483 valid questionnaires.

Around 10,300 copies of the consultation document were made available and distributed in the Barrow area in early October 2008. This gave a response rate of 4.7 per cent.

Public meetings were held to give stakeholders –the public, parents, students, headteachers, teaching staff and governors –as much information as possible regarding the potentially positive and negative aspects of each option.

Most people preferred two sites because, they said, a single campus would prove too big and increase traffic congestion. Two sites would offer greater choice with facilities being retained and mean students would be closer to their homes. It was also felt two sites would allow more attention to be given to pupils as individuals.

Those preferring a single campus said two sites would mean greater risk of road accidents, decreased teaching time and more opportunities for truancy. There would be greater economies of scale, including lower building maintenance costs.

The Council originally planned to build a new Academy for 1,200 pupils costing £30 million to open on the Parkview site in September 2012. 

The Department for Children, Schools and Families approved an Expression of Interest and plans moved to feasibility stage.

In August the government agreed to fund a dual campus, instead of a one site option, which will cost around £40-45 million.

Cabinet approved plans to consult the public about the two models.

The Local Authority still plans to improve facilities and extend pupil numbers at St Bernard’s Catholic High and Walney Schools.

The Academy will have three educational sponsors –Barrow Sixth Form College, Furness College and the University of Cumbria.

The cabinet paper, entitled School Organisation : A Strategic Approach - The Potential Academy for Barrow, recommends:

"Cabinet is asked to agree to move forward on the basis that the potential Academy for Barrow be located permanently on both the Thorncliffe and Parkview sites, each campus having accommodation for six hundred 11-16 year old students when the building work to create its accommodation is completed."

Anne Burns, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Children’s Services, said:

"This is a once in a generation chance to ensure excellence for secondary education in Barrow. 

We have listened to the views of local people and we must make sure we give those opinions the serious consideration they deserve." 

ENDS

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