Tag Archive | "Abbeydale Grange"

Listen to the people on Abbeydale Grange School

1st December 2009

The Green Party has called on the Lib Dems on Sheffield City council to keep its election promise to “listen to the community” and keep Abbeydale Grange School open.

A recent OFSTED report showed that there was a significant improvement in the 2009 summer GCSE exam results, with a further improvement predicted for 2010. In an amendment to a motion in Full Council this week, the Greens say that it should be given resources from the £14m Building Schools for the Future and support from Council officers to continue to do so.

Coun Jillian Creasy said, “No representative of the community has come
out in favour of closure. Instead, the Council has had petitions containing over 1,000 signatures, many other contacts to Councillors and Cabinet members and a rally of hundreds of people on the Town Hall steps all protesting against any proposal to close Abbeydale Grange School.

The Green Party says that the Council’s preferred option of a “hard
federation” has failed and have given its support to the School
Governors proposal to affiliate to the Co-operative Trust. The Greens
say that this, along with measures already taken since the last OFSTED
inspection, could transform the school.

The Greens also point out that the number of secondary aged pupils
living in the south west catchment area is set to rise year on year from
2014. If AGS closes, there will be significant pressure on places at other schools

Cllr Creasy said “There is no legal reason why Abbeydale Grange has to
close. All that is lacking is the political will from the Administration to work with the Governors and the teachers to continue the improvements already being made and allow it to realise its full potential. The Lib Dems fought hard to save Wisewood but are ignoring
the wishes of local people over Abbeydale Grange.”

Don’t close Abbeydale Grange

9th June 2009

Sheffield Green Party has rejected the recommendation by Council officers to close Abbeydale Grange School. The Greens support the Advisory Group’s recommendation to refurbish the school, develop post-16 provision and explore federation with another school or partner.

Cllr Jillian Creasy, who represents Central ward which includes the catchment area for Abbeydale Grange, said,”Our top priority is the welfare and education of the children attending the school which will not necessarily be best served by dispersal to other undersubscribed schools. Despite its many concerns, OFSTED recognised Abbeydale’s strengths in areas of personal development and
well being. The Council’s own review said the school was good at providing specialised teaching for new arrivals to the city and it is also known for its support for vulnerable children.”

She added: “We accept the officers’ recommendation that all secondary schools should cater inclusively for their local children, including new arrivals, but recognise that it will take time to build capacity in many schools for this to happen. This should be taking place in parallel with improvements at Abbeydale
Grange so that it begins to attract a higher proportion of children from its local area.”

Cllr Bernard Little, who took part in the consultation said, “Green Party policy is to protect small schools where possible, encouraging them to cluster or federate to share resources and specialist staff. Although secondary pupil numbers are currently decreasing, we know that they are predicted to rise again from 2015. It makes no sense to close a school now, especially when there are
funds earmarked to refurbish or rebuild it, and then to have to put up temporary classrooms in other schools later.”