Heywood schools debate reopened

The future site of the new Joint Faith School in Heywood will now be subject to input by the people of Heywood following the Council Cabinet decision to remove any preference for the site.  An amendment by Councillor Irene Davidson, the Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families opened up the debate on where the school should be - this was a change from the original proposal which recommended that Heywood Community High School was the ‘Council’s preferred option for the school’.

Councillor Davidson said: “It is absolutely vital that any consultation on the future of the Joint Faith School is done with a level playing field and that means keeping an open mind on where this school should be located.  The new school could now be on the Saint Joseph’s Site, the Heywood Community High School Site or other suggestions that we will now look at.  I have asked the Council to look into alternatives sites as well as looking at the existing sites and provide a report which will go to the Heywood Township for their view before going to the Cabinet for a decision.”

Councillor Davidson continued: “We will now be working with the Local Education Authority, the Salford and Manchester Dioceses and other stakeholders looking for the best possible solution.  It is clear now that it is up to the people of Heywood where the Holy Family RC and CE College, the first Joint Faith School in Greater Manchester will be.”

Councillor Peter Rush, Heywood North Councillor said: “I had concerns that by naming a preferred site the Council was short changing the people of Heywood.  By removing this shackle we can now have a full a frank debate on the best site of the new school.  I will not change from my opinion that it needs to be centrally located and welcome that the Council may look at alternative sites.”