Agenda item

To consider a report (copy enclosed) on the findings of the formal consultation on the proposal and seeking approval of the publication of a statutory notice to close Ysgol Mair and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School on 31 August 2019 and for the Diocese of Wrexham to establish a new 3 – 16 Catholic School on the existing site from 1 September 2019.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the findings of the formal consultation for the closure of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School (Ysgol Mair) and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and the opening of a new 3 – 16 Catholic School;

(b)       approves the publication of a statutory notice for Denbighshire County Council closing St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School (Ysgol Mair) and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School on the 31st August 2019; and the Diocese of Wrexham to establish a new 3 – 16 Catholic School on the existing site from the 1st September 2019, and

(c)        confirms it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment as part of its consideration.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts presented the report on the findings of the formal consultation on the proposal and sought approval of the publication of a statutory notice to close St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School (Ysgol Mair) and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School on 31 August 2019 and for the Diocese of Wrexham to establish a new 3 – 16 Catholic School on the existing site from 1 September 2019.

Councillor Hilditch-Roberts introduced the Right Reverend Peter Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham and thanked him for his support within the process. Details of the formal consultation undertaken by the Council in partnership with the Diocese of Wrexham had been included in the report and Councillor Hilditch-Roberts was pleased to report on the positive reaction from all sectors with an overwhelming response in favour of the proposal.  He also took the opportunity to highlight the benefits of the proposal in terms of the new model of curriculum delivery.  Having considered the consultation findings it was recommended that Cabinet proceed with the next steps which included publication of a statutory notice based on the current proposal.

At the Leader’s invitation the Right Reverend Peter Brignall addressed Cabinet and expressed support for the proposal on behalf of the Diocese of Wrexham.  He commended the proposal to Cabinet as an exciting project highlighting the opportunities that the new school would provide for those wishing for a faith based education within the area and he looked forward to its progression.

The Leader welcomed the report which demonstrated the Council’s continued commitment to invest in education within the county and he paid tribute to the hard work involved in developing the proposal to date.  Cabinet echoed those sentiments and was pleased to support progression of the proposal to the next stage.  It was noted that the current budget estimate for the project was £23.8m and there was a small element of risk given that the Council had to provide initial funds to develop the business case before Welsh Government would commit to its funding share.

Further discussion focused on the following –

·         clarification was sought regarding the merits of the new 3 – 16 model as a positive offer.  Officers referred to the whole ethos and spirit of faith education around nurture and inclusion and advised that education for all learners could be configured so that the curriculum could be delivered appropriately in terms of age requirements whilst the values of the school continued right through so that the transition between primary and secondary provision was seamless.  There would be one leadership team managing curriculum and operational delivery of the school which was conducive to the spirit of the new curriculum.  The new model would also support quality delivery of teaching and learning and enhance opportunities and in-house training.  A 3 – 18 model operated successfully at St. Brigid’s, Denbigh and the 3 – 16 model operated successfully in other areas

·         whilst the outcome of the Well-being Impact Assessment was positive, it had focused primarily on the physical environment in terms of resilience with less emphasis on individuals in the community and within the school.  Officers advised that the model itself would strengthen resilience by supporting skills development and qualification attainment which would leave pupils far better equipped given the environment which was being created.  Councillor Hilditch-Roberts confirmed that future Well-being Impact Assessments would include more detail about the impact on people as well as the physical environment.

Councillor Joan Butterfield also welcomed the project which she felt was integral to the regeneration of Rhyl and thanked all those involved for their commitment and perseverance in progressing the proposal.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the findings of the formal consultation for the closure of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School (Ysgol Mair) and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and the opening of a new 3 – 16 Catholic School;

(b)       approves the publication of a statutory notice for Denbighshire County Council closing St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School (Ysgol Mair) and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School on the 31st August 2019; and the Diocese of Wrexham to establish a new 3 – 16 Catholic School on the existing site from the 1st September 2019, and

(c)        confirms it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment as part of its consideration.