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Proposed option would not win funding for schools in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow
Posted on 24/02/2010
An option C proposed for the future of education in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow-upon-Soar has now been evaluated and would not secure Government funding, according to County Council officers.
The County Council is consulting on exciting and ambitious plans to transform secondary and special education in the area, if it were to receive up to £80 million of Government Building Schools for the Future (BSF) money.
The option C, put forward by governors at Garendon and Limehurst schools, raises important issues which will need to be considered by Cabinet in due course.
Local authority officers have provided technical advice, identifying a number of shortcomings.
These are:
•This option proposes six, rather than five secondary schools. This would leave too little money to carry out the building programme for all the schools.
•National evidence shows the best performing schools at GCSE are medium-sized schools of 1,000 – 1,200 places.
•The option proposes an 11-16 school at Limehurst or another site east of Loughborough. The County Council has examined many sites in this area – none were suitable and the Limehust site is not large enough for a new school and the playing fields at the Limehurst site would be too small.
•Option C creates too many surplus places. This would be unacceptable to Partnerships for Schools – the Government body which awards the BSF money.
Officers have grave concern that if option C was put forward, Central Government would not give the County Council the money to build any schools.
If the funding is awarded, state-of-the-art schools would be developed that would be among the best in the country.
Pupils would also benefit from a much wider curriculum. Young people would have more subjects to choose from at age 14 and at GCSE.
There would be new diplomas for ages 14-19 and new specialisms added to schools to join their usual curriculum.
Schools would also benefit from the very latest ICT and technology and excellent sporting facilities.
Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People’s Service, said: “We are asking the Government for the money to transform education in the area. It’s important that everyone has their say in the consultation exercise and chooses their preferred option.
“The support of the local community could really help to win the funding. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in Loughborough, Quorn and Barrow – let’s take it.”
There are two options put forward by the County Council to choose from in the consultation exercise that local authority officers believe could achieve the funding.
Anyone can take part by visiting: www.leics.gov.uk/loughboroughbsf