Campaigners vow to fight sixth form closure plan

DISAPPOINTED campaigners fighting plans to close Culcheth High School’s Sixth form college have vowed to battle on in support of more than 800 people who opposed the closure.
Warrington Borough Council’s Executive Board voted to support the Governing Body of Culcheth High School in the closure of their Sixth Form.
In a joint statement, Cllrs Chris Vobe, Matt Smith and Bill Brinksman said: “As local councillors, we are obviously disappointed by the outcome. We should be under no illusion that the savage cuts imposed on Warrington by an uncaring Coalition government have led to the current challenges faced by our High School.
“From the moment the Governing Body announced their plans, we committed to fighting to save Culcheth Sixth Form. As we have done from the outset, we will continue to press them to retain post-16 provision at the heart of our community. We firmly believe that there are a number of arguments which have not been given full consideration, and so it is our intention to refer this matter to the council’s influential Scrutiny committee.”
All three councillors have pledged to continue to support the 800 plus residents who have contacted the Borough Council to oppose the plans.
Cllr Paul Campbell sadded: “Despite a very prominent campaign by all local Councillors it would appear that the decision has now been made by the Executive Committee of Warrington Borough Council to close the local Culcheth High School 6th Form. I said sometime ago that this may be a fait accompli when we were presented with the report from the High School Governors. I understand that the three local Borough Councillors are considering the matter further and may yet appeal the decision. If the closure is now confirmed, I know that I will do all in my power to ensure that the School continues to get the resources it needs in order that it remains the outstanding School it has shown itself to be, as recently reported during its Ofsted inspection.”
Cllrs Vobe and Smith have led the campaign in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft, along with fellow local councillors Keith and Sue Bland and Paul Campbell whilst Cllr Brinksman has taken the lead in neighbouring Rixton and Hollins Green.
A council spokesperson said: “The council’s executive board considered the evidence in public and voted unanimously to support the governors’ decision to the removal of the sixth form at Culcheth High School. Prior to the meeting the decision was considered by three different portfolio holders who all reached the same conclusion.
“A full consultation was carried out according to statutory requirements and all options and issues were considered. Feedback from the consultation showed that 58% of students who responded to the consultation said they would go to another college, and only 13% said they would stay at Culcheth.
“The government has changed the way in which schools are financed for sixth forms and, due to the low pupil numbers, sustaining the sixth form provision in a semi-rural location has become very difficult and would not be cost-effective for the school. The shortfall would have been met from the budget for 11-16 provision. The executive board supported the governors’ proposals to make much more effective use of resources to improve the high quality of education for 11-16 pupils and to take the school from good to outstanding.”