That was the message as East Sussex County Council agreed the closure of the three schools – Hillcrest, The Grove and Filsham Valley – that would make way for the new state-of-the-art academy schools.
The decision made by the Council's Cabinet on Tuesday 26 January follows the publication of statutory closure notices and widespread consultation on the plans. It lays the foundation for the creation of the two new academies, one on each side of the town, that would provide a 21st learning environment for students.
Councillor Keith Glazier, Lead Member for Children and Families said: “This is an important day for Hastings. Yes there will be some who will be sad to see these three schools close, but what will replace them will be incomparable in terms of what they offer pupils, those with special needs and the wider community.”
During the consultation on the closures, Councillor Glazier said the Council had listened to people's views. “The majority of people who responded to our consultation are in favour of what we want to do and recognise what a fantastic and exciting opportunity this is for the town.
“I know there is some opposition to these plans from Filsham Valley but we must not lose sight of the fact it was only a minority of parents who responded to say they oppose the plans. It's also true that the plans have the support of Hillcrest and The Grove.”
Councillor Glazier said nothing had been said by any of the plans' opponents that had altered his view that this was the right move for Hastings.
“We have here an opportunity. An opportunity to unlock significant Government funding for some fantastic new schools that would transform learning for pupils and enable us to build on the improvements in standards that have been made through our investment with Sir Dexter Hutt and Ninestiles Plus.” He said.
“Realistically there are no other options with the prospect of significant investment or improvement. Much has been achieved at these schools but still much needs to be done. Standards are still too low and we need to raise them not just in the short term but also ensure they are sustainable for the future.”
The closure of the three schools would obviously only happen if the Government gives final agreement and funding for the two new academies. Those new academies would be run by the sponsors: The University of Brighton, East Sussex County Council, and BT.
Councillor Glazier added: “These plans are good news for Hastings in so many ways. Not only would they have two state-of-the-art 21st century schools, but there would be better facilities for children with special needs, and better multi-agency support for families. They also promise to play a significant part in the wider regeneration of the town.”
Further information
The sponsors – University of Brighton, East Sussex County Council and BT – are proposing two new academy schools for Hastings to replace Filsham Valley, The Grove and Hillcrest Schools. On the eastern side of the town the proposal is for a brand new academy on the Hillcrest School site which would accommodate 900 pupils aged 11 to 16 and deliver the core subjects of the National Curriculum. The new academy would open in 2011 and building work on the new buildings has a target completion date of 2012. Meanwhile, on the western side of the town a new academy would provide for 1,500 pupils aged 11 to 16 and would replace The Grove and Filsham Valley Schools. Again, the new academy would open in 2011 with a targeted completion date for the building work of 2012.
The sponsors consulted on the new academies proposal between 7 September and 19 October 2009. By law the County Council had to run a separate consultation on closing the three schools that would be replaced by the two new academies. The council then published statutory notices, which gave a further six weeks for people to respond to the proposals.
Both of the new academies would be state-funded, non-selective schools and each would be fully inclusive with improved special educational needs facilities incorporated into each. Each of the new academies would be developed to minimise disruption to pupils; the approach to ensuring pupils' learning does not suffer during the building process will be developed during the implementation stage.
Councillors agreed in July 2008 to the principle of proceeding with the academy proposals for Hastings. Under the plans East Sussex County Council would be one of the co-sponsors of the academies along with BT. The lead sponsor would be the University of Brighton.
Reference:
2687
Contact the press team
East Sussex County Council