PLANS to merge two schools in Middlesbrough are moving forward.
A report to the executive of Middlesbrough Council recommends it goes ahead with plans to build a new school to replace Hall Garth and King’s Manor.
It also recommends the council starts moving ahead with plans to form a single Roman Catholic school by closing Newlands and expanding St David’s.
The plans are part of the council’s £96m Building Schools for the Future project, which aims to provide modernised facilities.
The council also aims to address the problem of falling school rolls through the amalgamation of some schools.
The report is due to be discussed by the executive on Tuesday.
In a consultation on the future of Hall Garth and King’s Manor, 70% of people who responded were in favour of the move and 77% said they wanted it to be a community school.
Now the council is set to ask the Department of Education and Skills to waive the rules saying the council has to hold a competition to decide who would run it, to enable it to be run as a community school.
It is hoped the 1,400-place facility would open in 2011.
Councillor Paul Thompson, executive member for education and skills, said: “The response to the consultation is very encouraging.
“Most people agree with us that the way forward is for a new school on the Acklam base and that it should be a community school, which would allow us to continue the partnership we’ve established with schools, governing bodies and the community.
“Accordingly, we will try to persuade the government that we don’t need a competition.
“That would mean we could get on with the job of providing a new school with modern facilities and an environment that gives every student the chance to fulfil their potential quickly and with the minimum disruption.�
The Diocese of Middlesbrough will be encouraged to publish plans for the 1,200-pupil school which would be built with £15m investment into St David’s on Cowley Road, Acklam.
Other plans under the Building Schools for the Future programme include:
-a new school on the site of Acklam Grange due to open in 2009;
-refurbishment and remodelling of Ormesby School with some facilities to be shared with Priory Woods School;
-a newly-built unit for the Ashdale pupil referral unit;
-Priory Woods, Beverley and Tollesby special schools remodelled and refurbished.
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