'Get together' bid for talks on schools merger

SHEFFIELD Council leader Jan Wilson has invited parents affected by the merger of Wisewood and Myers Grove schools to put aside their differences and attend a public meeting to discuss ideas for the replacement secondary.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Aug 2007, 14:36 BST
Updated 2nd Aug 2007, 09:10 BST

Coun Wilson is organising the event in September - likely to be held at the Town Hall - and wants mums, dads and representatives of the Wisewood and Stannington communities to attend.

It follows the controversial approval of the merger at a meeting of Sheffield Council last week, where a vote on the scheme was won by a narrow majority.

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Councillors made the decision because they had to cut surplus school places in the area and did not want to jeopardise a 250 million government cash injection to rebuild 13 schools. The authority had been told funding would be delayed until it had resolved the school places issue.

Coun Wilson said: "Last week's vote ends the uncertainty for the communities involved in this decision and means the council can now move forward with building a new school for the young people in the north west of the city.

"This issue has been very emotive for the people who have been closely involved and I understand that the merger proposals were not supported by all local people.

"I do feel certain, however, the decision that has now been taken is in the best interests of the children and young people in that area of the city.

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"I want to ensure that all those who have been involved in the discussions so far now channel their energies into plans for the future of the new school."

Coun Wilson has sent personal invitations to anyone who sent her correspondence about the merger, and is inviting anyone else affected to come along to the meeting, too. A date has not yet been fixed.

She also gave assurances about the future of Wisewood School, once it closes in 2011. A 14 to 19 education centre had been planned for the site but the council has decided to build it at the Myers site in Stann-ington.

Coun Wilson said there are no firm plans for the Wisewood site but suggestions are being considered to use it as a community facility, and the sports hall - built with several million pounds of National Lottery money - will be retained.

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Related topics:CouncillorsSheffield CouncilTown Hall