Proposal to open academies early

Two North Manchester academies could open a year early if proposals get the go ahead from councillors this week.

Members of the City Council's top level Executive will be asked to approve a proposal to close North Manchester High School for Boys, Blackley, and North Manchester High School for Girls, Moston, in August of next year and to replace them with a 600 place all boys academy and a 900 place all girls academy on the same sites opening in September 2009.

If agreed by the Executive at its meeting on Wednesday (22 October), formal closure notices on the two schools would then be published, triggering a six week statutory notice period for any interested party to comment on the proposals. At the end of the six weeks all responses received and other information gathered would be referred back to the Executive in December for final decisions to be made.

If the closure plans are finally given the go ahead, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has pledged a cash injection to make improvements to the existing schools while retaining the long term aim of building two single sex academies in new buildings on a shared site.

These latest proposals come as a response to options put forward by stakeholders, during the statutory consultation period and take into account a village green application made by residents for two of the proposed sites, which is still to be determined.

Cllr Sheila Newman, Executive Member Children's Services, Manchester City Council says: "This option allows us to bring forward the very real and significant benefits of an academy education to young people. It will offer them relevant and practical work opportunities, allow them to gain life experience and arm them with more choice and the necessary skills for when they leave school."

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