Post by admin on Sept 8, 2006 12:53:00 GMT 1
Two schools look to build new future
TWO primary schools have entered what could be their final year as they look set to merge.
The fate of Waterfoot and Cloughfold schools is set to be sealed later this month, but the two look likely to become one school by September 2007.
If this plan goes ahead, it will mean pupils who entered year six this week will be the last to leave Waterfoot and Cloughfold.
Cabinet member for schools Alan Whittaker will consider whether or not to move the proposals to the next stage at a meeting on 18 September.
The county council’s Review of Primary Schools proposes to amalgamate the two schools from the 2007/2008 school year, although they would continue to operate from two sites until a new school was built.
Both schools said they would wait until then to decide how they would commemorate their final year of existence.
The preferred site for the new school, next to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, was initially met with concern from residents, who feared it would create heavy traffic problems.
The report recommends further design work is carried out, adding: ‘However, work will continue to identify other sites as a contingency should further design and groundwork show that the preferred site presents difficulties that cannot be overcome.’
Open evenings held at both schools in June, which will be discussed at the Lancashire Local committee meeting on Monday, found most parents supported the merger but wanted more details about how the schools would operate on two sites.
Some said amalgamation should only go ahead if a new building was guaranteed and others were concerned about the new site, asking for alternatives to be considered.
Ideas included the former Joshua Hoyle mill, the Whitewell Bottom abattoir site and the old Richard Cort car showroom, but the report said all three sites did not meet the 1.5 hectares needed for the new school.
Governors from both schools said they strongly agreed with the move as it provided a better long-term future than previous suggestions.
In a statement in the report, they said: ‘We are committed, should the proposal be accepted, that the new school will be enriched by the traditions of both Cloughfold and Waterfoot and that the history and spirit of both schools will live on.’
# DO you have fond memories of attending Waterfoot or Cloughfold primary schools?
Do you have old pictures of your time there that you’d like to share with our readers?
Contact the Free Press on 213311; send us your pictures via e-mail to rossendalefreepress@gmwn.co.uk (a jpeg attachment please) or post them to Primary School Memories, Rossendale Free Press, 58 Bank Street, Rawtenstall, BB4 8JR.
Jenny Tonge
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
TWO primary schools have entered what could be their final year as they look set to merge.
The fate of Waterfoot and Cloughfold schools is set to be sealed later this month, but the two look likely to become one school by September 2007.
If this plan goes ahead, it will mean pupils who entered year six this week will be the last to leave Waterfoot and Cloughfold.
Cabinet member for schools Alan Whittaker will consider whether or not to move the proposals to the next stage at a meeting on 18 September.
The county council’s Review of Primary Schools proposes to amalgamate the two schools from the 2007/2008 school year, although they would continue to operate from two sites until a new school was built.
Both schools said they would wait until then to decide how they would commemorate their final year of existence.
The preferred site for the new school, next to Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, was initially met with concern from residents, who feared it would create heavy traffic problems.
The report recommends further design work is carried out, adding: ‘However, work will continue to identify other sites as a contingency should further design and groundwork show that the preferred site presents difficulties that cannot be overcome.’
Open evenings held at both schools in June, which will be discussed at the Lancashire Local committee meeting on Monday, found most parents supported the merger but wanted more details about how the schools would operate on two sites.
Some said amalgamation should only go ahead if a new building was guaranteed and others were concerned about the new site, asking for alternatives to be considered.
Ideas included the former Joshua Hoyle mill, the Whitewell Bottom abattoir site and the old Richard Cort car showroom, but the report said all three sites did not meet the 1.5 hectares needed for the new school.
Governors from both schools said they strongly agreed with the move as it provided a better long-term future than previous suggestions.
In a statement in the report, they said: ‘We are committed, should the proposal be accepted, that the new school will be enriched by the traditions of both Cloughfold and Waterfoot and that the history and spirit of both schools will live on.’
# DO you have fond memories of attending Waterfoot or Cloughfold primary schools?
Do you have old pictures of your time there that you’d like to share with our readers?
Contact the Free Press on 213311; send us your pictures via e-mail to rossendalefreepress@gmwn.co.uk (a jpeg attachment please) or post them to Primary School Memories, Rossendale Free Press, 58 Bank Street, Rawtenstall, BB4 8JR.
Jenny Tonge
First published by the Rossendale Free Press