Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Eryl Williams (copy enclosed) which provides the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

Councillor Eryl Williams presented the report, circulated previously, which provided the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            To note the findings of the formal consultation for the closure of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s School and the opening of a new school;

(ii)          To confirm the commitment towards working in partnership with the Catholic and Church in Wales Diocesan Authorities to deliver a new faith based school;

(iii)         To agree to develop a proposal to enable formal consultation for the building of a new faith based school to replace the existing Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s provision.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Lead Member for Education presented the report, circulated previously, which provided the findings of the formal consultation on the faith review and for Cabinet Members to consider whether to proceed to the publication of the proposal by way of a statutory notice.

Councillor Williams provided background to the situation and highlighted the need for a strategic and cohesive approach. 

The Leader invited both the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Bishop of Wrexham for their views regarding the Faith Based Provision.

The Bishop of St. Asaph, the Right Reverend Dr Gregory K Cameron, expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity for the Diocese of St. Asaph to become a promoter for a new single faith based school in Denbighshire.  The vision would be for one school of shared faith provision for the citizens of Denbighshire.  The Bishop reiterated he believed in excellence in education and the scheme would be an opportunity to build something excellent and to answer all the needs of the community.  The Bishop of St. Asaph urged Cabinet members to accept the report.

The Bishop of Wrexham, the Right Reverend Monsignor Peter Brignall, also expressed his gratitude to be given the opportunity to present and endorse the provision put before the Cabinet members.  For 50 years the Diocese of Wrexham had been providers of secondary education in Denbighshire.  The Bishop reported upon the success of the transition of St. Joseph’s School in Wrexham to a joint faith school. The joint faith school would be an opportunity to provide the best for those families and parents who chose faith education for their children regardless of their religion.   As an existing provider, it would be hoped that faith education continued to be provided not only in part of the county but for the whole of the catchment of the schools within Denbighshire.  The Bishop of Wrexham fully endorsed the Bishop of St. Asaph’s support and total commitment to faith based education for the young people for this generation and generations in the future.

During discussion it had been clarified that Phase 1 of the scheme had been intended as an interim phase.  Consultation had raised concerns as there had been very little support for Phase 1 from key stakeholders.  Phase 1 could potentially have been progressed but there could have been a negative impact on standards.  It was imperative standards did not regress.  As this had been a matter of operational delivery, in the face of the outcome of the consultation, it had been decided energy would be best directed to deliver one school of Christian context on one site.  Denbighshire County Council guaranteed continued support to each school in the interim.

Blessed Edward Jones High School accommodated students from the age of 11 – 16.  St. Brigid’s school accommodated students from the age of 3 – 19.   It had been clarified during the meeting that the age range of the new school would be given more consideration during Phase 2 of the scheme.  Primary provision and also post 16 provision would be considered. 

A business case was to be drawn up whereby options would be set out and costed.  Funding of £28million had been agreed in principle.  To provide two facilities would not be the best use of facilities going forward as this would be significantly more expensive.  This would be demonstrated within the business case.  If the business case put forward was to cost more than the bid, then officers would have to come back to members for a decision within the available finances.

During Phase 2 of the scheme working with co-promotors, the initial focus on discussions would be to confirm the proposed age range, size and location of the new school.  The discussions would also include full consideration of options as to how the demand for primary age faith education would fit with the Secondary provision. Six potential sites were to be considered.  Nothing was noted in or out. The initial plans would be developed to enable parents to see the vision of what the new faith based school could potentially look like. 

Blessed Edward Jones High School came under the jurisdiction of the Wrexham Catholic Diocese and delivered a Catholic education including receiving Section 50 Inspections which report on religious education, collective worship, the spiritual, moral, social and cultural education of the children and the school’s ethos.  St. Brigid’s was designated as a school whose religious character was Roman Catholic.  However, the school was under the control of the St. Brigid’s Trust and was not formally recognised by the Catholic Diocesan Authority nor was it subject to Section 50 Inspections.  The designation of a religious character did not determine whether or not the school was a Roman Catholic Church School according to canon law.

The Bishop of Wrexham clarified that the original foundation of Blessed Edward Jones school was for the county of Denbighshire and not as a Rhyl Catholic school.

Councillor Brian Blakely read a press release on behalf of the Rhyl councillors and concluded by expressing their support of the scheme for a new school but expressed the preference for it to be built within close proximity of Rhyl.

The Chief Executive summed up the discussions which had taken place.

The Leader thanked the Right Reverend Dr Gregory K Cameron, Bishop of St. Asaph and the Right Reverend Monsignor Peter Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham for taking the time to attend the Cabinet meeting and assisting in creating a vision for the future.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(i)            Note the findings of the formal consultation for the closure of Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s School and the opening of a new school;

(ii)          Confirm the commitment towards working in partnership with the Catholic and Church in Wales Diocesan Authorities to deliver a new faith based school;

(iii)         Agree to develop a proposal to enable formal consultation for the building of a new faith based school to replace the existing Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School and St. Brigid’s provision.