Plans for The future of Woodside Middle School
Tuesday 2nd November
2010
Following consultation on the future of
Woodside Middle School with parents, staff, pupils, governors and
other interested parties, the Mayor has today agreed to the
publication of statutory notices for the closure of Woodside Middle
School at the end of August 2011.
From September 2011, it is proposed that
children will stay at Putnoe Lower School until the end of Year
6. They will then transfer to Mark Rutherford Upper School at
the start of Year 7. Putnoe Lower School will move to the
Woodside site in Church Lane. Plans have been drawn up for
the Woodside buildings to be adapted to provide the accommodation
for the new Putnoe Primary School.
The majority of responses to the consultation
welcomed this proposal. It will be a major step towards
improving the quality of education for children in this part of the
Borough and will build on the good work already being done by
Putnoe Lower School and Mark Rutherford Upper School to support the
children at Woodside Middle School.
Councillor David Sawyer, Portfolio Holder for
Children’s Services said: “Woodside Middle School has been failing
to provide the high standard of education that parents and pupils
are entitled to expect. These proposals, supported by the
staff and governors of Woodside as well as Mark Rutherford Upper
School and Putnoe Lower School and the wider community, demonstrate
how the local community has engaged to provide a solution that
meets their educational needs. I am confident that the new
arrangements will deliver improved education in this
community.”
The decision to publish the statutory notices
will take effect from 10th November 2010, subject to the
decision not being called in. The publication of statutory notices
will provide clarity and reassurance for parents on what is planned
for the future. Following a six week period for comments or
objections, a final decision will be made by the Borough Council
Executive early in the new year.
Mark Rutherford Upper School will continue to
take in children from other middle schools at the start of Year
9. Adjustments will be made to the catchment areas of
Goldington Middle School and Newnham Middle School so that with the
closure of Woodside Middle School all children would continue to
have a catchment school in all year groups.
Note:
The proposed changes in catchment area are
for:
· Bury Walk, Church
Lane (even numbers 2-60), The Copse, Goldington Green, Sheeplands,
The Spinney and Turnpike Way to be included within the
Goldington Middle School catchment area from September 2011
· Bewcastle Close,
Calshot Walk, Colchester Way, Devises Avenue, Dover Crescent,
Exeter Walk, Farnham Way, Helmsley Avenue, Lewes Gardens, Mitford
Close, Newark Avenue, Taunton Close and Wentworth Drive (odd
numbers, 71 -107 and even numbers 78 and above) to be included
within the Newnham Middle School catchment area from September
2011.
Further information is available from Bedford
Borough Children’s Services on 01234 228196.