Sites proposed for new high schools

Building Schools for the Future

Sites for two new secondary schools are included in the latest update to the £152m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme for the borough.

Building Schools for the Future aims to improve secondary education in the borough by providing buildings fit for the 21st century.

The Authority's proposed site for the Holy Family RC/CE Secondary School in Heywood is West Starkey Street. On Tuesday 29 May The Council Cabinet will be asked to support this location although governors and stakeholders are yet to make a decision and the final decision is still the subject of ongoing local discussions led by the school.

The proposed site for the rebuilding of Falinge Park High School in Rochdale includes the tennis courts and an area of playing fields in front of the school off Falinge Road. There is a linked proposal to replace any green space lost  with alternative provision, as a restrictive covenant covers the area in question so this proposal will, after consultation  be considered  by the Charity Commission..

A report detailing the latest BSF update: Building Schools for the Future, A New Pattern of Provision - May Update, goes before the Council's cabinet on 29 May. Proposals include:

• Closure of Heywood Community School from 31 August 2010 with restricted admissions after September 2007. The Cabinet will be asked to support this proposal, subject to a final round of formal public consultation.
• Plans to replace Holy Family RC/CE at West Starkey Street, Heywood from 1 September 2013 and to increase the capacity from 120 to 150 places from the same date.
• Approval for the development of Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College with an admission number of 240.
• Closure of Oulder Hill Community School sixth form from 31 August 2011 with the last date for admissions in September 2009 and to extend the admission number at the school from 240 to 300 for September 2011 (it is expected that the new sixth form centre for Rochdale will open in September 2010).
• Reduction of the number of places at St Cuthbert's RC High School form 270 to 240 from 1 September 2013.
• Consideration of site options for a  school to replace Balderstone and Springhill High Schools, with the Cabinet to decide whether or not to support a independent assessment that has recommended Springhill site.
• Closure of Balderstone and Springhill from 1 September 2013.

The number of secondary pupils in the borough is set to fall significantly over the next 10 years and many of the existing school buildings are not fit for purpose.

Construction of the Building Schools for the Future is expected to start in 2009/10 with an estimated development programme of around five years.

Commenting on the proposals, Father Paul Daly, Parish Priest, Saint Joseph’s, Heywood said: "I welcome the Council’s proposal to site the new school at West Starkey Street and its assurance that the design will ensure safe access to the school. The existing site occupies a fond place in the memory of many generations of St. Joseph’s pupils but has become increasingly congested given the growing number of pupils who use the same approach. The proposed new site is easily accessible from every part of our town and, when seen together with the proposed new sports and leisure village on the same site, offers pupils use of specialised sports facilities that will be second to none. Moreover siting the school at the heart of Heywood will enable it to be used for the provision of adult learning.

"This is an exciting time in the regeneration of Heywood and, in particular, our town centre. Placing the High School in a safe but accessible site like West Starkey Street will allow the Churches to play their part in the town’s continuing rebirth."