Greenwich has welcomed today’s decision by the office of the Schools Adjudicator to approve the Council’s proposals to close both Abbey Wood School and St Paul’s Catholic School, allowing an Academy to be created on the current Abbey Wood site (subject to agreement from the Secretary of State*).
The Council supports the Adjudicator’s decision to allow Abbey Wood School to admit pupils until 31 August 2005, rather than 31 August 2004 as was originally proposed.
Greenwich is fully committed to continue supporting Abbey Wood School throughout the process of closure, ensuring that the education of pupils attending the school is not compromised by the proposals.
A full package of support and staff retention allowances will be put in place in consultation with the school staff and governors. Greenwich has successfully managed other school closures and will work closely with the school and local community to ensure all the support necessary is in place.
Cllr David Grant, Greenwich Council Cabinet Member for Education, said: “We can now move forward and the Academy model gives us the best available opportunity to offer a better education for children in Abbey Wood. This will include new buildings, state of the art facilities and a broader intake of pupils — all of which we are confident will have a very positive effect on educational standards. The decision to close schools is never easy but to continue with the current situation in this instance was never an option.”
Adjudicator June Brown commented in her announcement that Abbey Wood School operated in very challenging circumstances and that pupil achievement is low. Her report states, “I believe that intervention at Abbey Wood School is justified. To continue the school in its existing circumstances would not in my opinion be in the best interests of parents and children in the area.
"Standards are not high and there is considerable scope for improvement. Parents and pupils in the areas served by St Paul’s School and Abbey Wood School will in my judgement be better served by the new Academy than by maintaining the status quo.”
21 July 2004
*The Adjudicator’s decision relates to the proposal to close Abbey Wood School and St Paul’s School. The creation of the Academy on the existing Abbey Wood School site is subject to Secretary of State agreement. The Council expects to receive a decision on this by 1 September.
Further information
Schools adjudicators are independent of the Government. They decide on school organisation issues and admission arrangements which cannot be resolved locally.
For information on the background of this decision, see the Abbey Wood proposals.
You can also read the full proposal document by going to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator website.