Academy option to be considered for Buildwas Primary School

A decision on whether to proceed with the proposed closure of Buildwas Primary School will not now be considered at Cabinet next week (Wednesday 4 November 2015), as an academy sponsor has now come forward.

Shropshire Council has determined to await a decision on this new application by the Regional Schools Commissioner on behalf of the Minister.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“We are keen to see a decision made on the future of the school and welcome the sponsorship by a successful academy.

“We understand that, if approved, this will very much be welcome news for the community, parents and the children who attend the school.

“At the time that a closure was considered this was not an option.

“Our proposal to close the school was carefully considered and took into account a number of important factors, including the most recent Ofsted inspection findings, falling numbers of pupils on roll, the future financial sustainability of the school and the capacity for the school to sustain effective high-quality education.”

Further information

Buildwas Primary School was placed into special measures by Ofsted following an inspection in January 2015. The previous Ofsted inspection in April 2013 had confirmed that the school required improvement.

Where a school remains open after being placed in special measures, the Secretary of State expects it to become a sponsored academy, and has the authority to enforce this throughout the time that the school remains subject to special measures.

After Buildwas was placed into special measures, Shropshire Council was involved in initial discussions, along with the Department for Education Academy Broker and governing body, to secure an academy solution for the school. However, no academy solution was forthcoming at that time.

Taking into account other factors, including falling numbers of pupils on roll, the future financial sustainability of the school and the capacity for the school to sustain effective high-quality education, Shropshire Council decided to consult on proposals to close Buildwas Primary School.