Bishop Wulstan School to close
The School Organisation Committee (SOC) has agreed unanimously to close Bishop Wulstan Catholic School in Rugby.
The SOC, which is an independent statutory body, reached the difficult decision at a public meeting last night. The County Council’s proposal to close the school has been driven by concerns over the school’s standards and its capacity to improve over a number of years.
Mark Gore, Head of Education, Partnerships and School Development for Warwickshire County Council, said: “The school’s closure is a matter of great regret and this was a difficult decision for all concerned. The county council does not make such a proposal lightly and only after every alternative has been explored. But we have a duty to ensure all children in Warwickshire achieve the highest possible standards. Unfortunately attainment at Bishop Wulstan is too low and, in the council’s view, the school did not have the capacity because of its size to make the necessary improvement. The SOC decision reflects this. “
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to the Diocesan Schools Commission and the school community for their tireless efforts to find alternatives to closure. It is a matter of regret that none of these alternatives proved possible.
“Our main priority now is to make the best possible provision for the children at the school and we are making every effort to meet first preferences for places at other schools.”
The school’s closure will take place at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year however the council is planning arrangements for the current Year 10 pupils to finish their school education on the site of Bishop Wulstan School for the academic year 2007-2008.
The County Council has also pledged to provide free transport for children who wish to continue with Catholic education at their nearest Catholic School.
Further details will be released about the school closure in due course.