Schools shake-up could
be hit by new regulations
by David Skentelbery
CONTROVERSIAL proposals for a shake-up of secondary education in Warrington could be affected by new regulations just announced by the Department for Education and Science.
They make one contentious option ? the amalgamation of Padgate and Woolston high schools in three years time ? almost impossible to achieve, according to borough council education chiefs.
A widespread consultation exercise on the amalgamation has already been completed.
Hundreds of local people ? including teachers and school governors ? are opposed to the merger.
But full details of the new regulations are not yet available and may not be by the time the borough council?s executive board is due to consider the proposed changes in Warrington on September 11.
Existing government regulations require local authorities to run a competitive process for organisations wishing to run a new secondary school.
But the regulations have now been extended, with almost immediate effect, to include proposals for amalgamations of secondary schools.
Councils not wishing to run a competition need to seek permission of the Secretary of State.
Warrington?s interim operational director of education Tim Warren said the new regulations were almost certain to impact on the council’s review of secondary provision.
Four of the options in the review involve amalgamations and the new competition requirement means the council must seek bids from other providers.
This would add at least four months into any timetable to create a new school.
Mr Warren said: “The executive board will need to take account of these newly introduced regulations when considering the review on September 11.
“In particular, the regulations would seem to make the amalgamation options for a new school on the Hillock Lane site by September 2009 almost impossible to achieve.”
“However, the DfES has yet to publish the associated guidance for either running the competition or getting permission not to run a competition.
?Perhaps, when we have that guidance, we can be more definitive in determining the implications for school reorganisation.”
Teachers at Padgate have already launched a campaign against the plans and more than 300 people are backing them.
Closing Padgate High or Woolston High would cost around ?4m. Amalgamating the schools at Padgate would cost ?2m for an 11-16 school and ?4m for a 11-18 school.
Building a new school at Hillock Lane would cost ?20m, although a government grant of ?18m would reduce the cost to ?2m.
Traffic calming will make
road safer for children
by Lesley Wilkinson
TRAFFIC calming measures on a busy Warrington road will make the area safer for children according to local councillors.
Ward councillors for Fairfield and Howley and Orford welcomed plans to make a stretch of busy road safer for pedestrians, particularly pupils at Beamont Primary School.
Couns Yvonne Fovargue and Kate Hannon visited the site to check the proposed scheme along O’Leary Street. The scheme was based on comments from a consultation exercise with the community and the school.
Plans include a zebra crossing, anti-skid surface treatment and the introduction of a 20mph speed limit.
Coun Fovargue said: “O’Leary Street is a busy stretch of road and the road calming measures proposed will make the road safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.
“In particular I welcome the zebra crossing which will provide a safe way for pupils and parents to cross the busy road on school days.?
Residents will be consulted about the proposals.
The proposed scheme will again be subject to consultation with affected residents.
Coun Hannon said: “This scheme is designed to meet the expectations of the majority of residents but it is only right that before work starts that local people have the opportunity to comment on the scheme.
“At the heart of the proposal is the need to make O’Leary Street safe for all users and this must be the major consideration. I hope that residents get on board and take part in the consultation,” she added.
Woman attacked and
robbed by girl gang
by John Hendon
A YOUNG woman at Warrington was attacked and robbed by a gang of teenage girls.
The robbery took place in an alleyway at the rear of the Spar Shop and Hoop and Mallet public house at Callands.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident which took place at about 5.15pm.
The victim was walking towards the shop when she saw a group of teenagers.
Three girls approached her and two pushed her ? the third punching her in the face.
During the struggle one of the other girls reached into her pocket and stole her mobile ?phone ? and the gang then walked off.
The girl who punched the woman was aged about 16-18 with light brown straight shoulder length hair. She was wearing a green, short sleeved tee shirt and blue jeans.
The girl who took the ?phone was also 16-18, of medium build with blonde, wavy hair. She was wearing blue track suit bottoms.
Anyone who can assist police is asked to call DC Ian Hampson on 01244 613845.
Broken jaw for
attack victim
by David Skentelbery
A YOUNG man was punched in the face and left with a broken jaw in an unprovoked attack in Warrington town centre. The attack was in the early hours of the morning as the 19-year-old victim was walking along Bridge Street with a friend.
As they neared the junction with Academy Street they were confronted by another man, aged about 20.
There was a brief argument after which the 19-year-old was punched in the face and knocked to the ground. He suffered a broken jaw and required hospital treatment.
Police say the attacker was about 5ft 10 inches tall, with blond, shaven hair. He was of stocky build and was wearing a navy blue and white top.
Anyone who witnessed the attack, or who knows anything about it, is asked to call DC Stuart Clay or DC Ian Hall on 0845 458 0000.
High school bid
still needs ?30,000
by Lesley Wilkinson
MORE than ?20,000 has been raised by Culcheth High School towards its bid for specialist school status in humanities.
To achieve the goal the school has to raise ?50,000 by October and when staff and pupils return from the summer break, the priority will be to raise a further ?30,000.
A school spokesman said: “We have had a fantastic response to fundraising and have raised ?20,000 so far. Only another ?30,000 to go! Fundraising recommences in earnest when the school returns from the summer break in September.” Activities planned include a grand raffle with a first prize of ?400. Tickets are available from school.
On Friday September 22 from 7.30pm there will be a Last Night at the Proms concert featuring the Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Brass Band and members of the school choir. Last term’s concert was great success and tickets are now available from school priced ?6.00 (?4.00 concessions).
On Sunday September 24 there is a car boot sale at the school. Pre-booked cars are ?6.00 or the charge is ?8.00 on the day. The sale starts at 9am and no traders are allowed.
Anyone interested in booking a place should contact 01925 761505. The sale will be held on the Warrington Road car park, but will be moved to the school Sports Hall if it rains.
Road crash
victim named
by staff reporter
A WOMAN who died after being injured in a two-care pile-up at Warrington has been named by police.
She was Violet Hampson, aged 78, who lived at Laira Court, Warrington.
The accident was on the A49 Lythgoes Lane at its junction with Orford Lane. The victim was a passenger in one of the cars.
