Closure could be on the school timetable (From Gazette Series)

Closure could be on the school timetable

SCHOOLS in the Stroud district of Gloucestershire could face closure under proposals to cut falling pupil numbers.

Although shutting schools would be a last resort, Gloucestershire County Council's interim director of education, Jo Grills, has admitted it is a possibility.

She said: "Some possible solutions could be easily achievable, such as taking out temporary accommodation, but others could be more radical such as amalgamation or conversion of facilities for community use or even closures."

She added that all ideas, formulated by six panels across the county, would be discussed next month.

"The county council is providing a number of opportunities for anyone with an interest in education to express their views on the ideas emerging from the area review panels," said Ms Grills.

"These are not firm proposals at this stage but we do need feedback about the significant issues that have been identified by the panels as a result of falling pupil numbers."

The panels have been working for several months to identify ways of dealing with falling pupil numbers across the county. It is estimated that by 2011-12, there will be 9,000 surplus primary places and 4,000 surplus secondary places.

The panels are now in the process of consulting with headteachers, school governors, parents, young people and local councillors on a variety of issues affecting schools in their areas.

In the Stroud area, the panel has been looking at primary education in Stonehouse and secondary education in the west of the area, which includes Rednock and Katharine Lady Berkeley Schools and Vale of Berkeley College.

Each panel has prepared a written update of their thinking and these are being sent to various figureheads with a response form with specific questions about the issues and suggestions.

Susan Robbins, the authority's head of education planning and lifelong learning, said: "Ultimately, excess surplus places damage schools and their ability to grow and improve. We want to tackle this problem early on before standards are affected and schools spiral into decline.

"We need to ensure that our children achieve their full potential in schools fit for the 21st century, spend money wisely and give local people a voice on local solutions."

Each panel will make a recommendation to the cabinet in December for their consideration in the New Year. If the cabinet makes specific proposals, a formal public consultation will then take place in the spring.