Last updated 07:02, Sunday, 16 November 2008

BARROW’S five secondary schools have held or are due to hold academy discussion meetings with pupils, staff and governors, without the public present.

Public meetings have already been held at Alfred BArrow, Parkview and Thorncliffe schools. None were held at St Bernard's School, but the final public meeting is due at Walney School on October 23.

The public is also being encouraged to complete a questionnaire about the location of the proposed Barrow academy.

Questions are published in Cumbria County Council’s academy document: Planning 11-16 education for Barrow – The potential Academy – one site or two?

It asks: “Assuming that an academy is established in Barrow would you prefer it to be on one campus (Parkview site) or on two campuses (Parkview and Thorncliffe sites)?”

The public can answer yes, no or no preference and should give their reasons and any other comments by Friday 21 November.

The questionnaire can be completed online, and the consultation document can also be viewed online on www.cumbriacc.gov.uk/childrensservices/school-organisation.

The School Organisation Team can be contacted on 01228 226013 or via email at school.organisation @cumbriacc.gov.uk

The postal address is Freepost RRBS - RLBG - GZGL, Cumbria County Council, School Organisation, 18 Portland Square, Carlisle CA1 1PE.

The council says decision-makers will be given all views made during the consultation.

WHAT NEXT?

Cumbria Creative Partnerships is working with Thorncliffe, Alfred Barrow and Parkview to set up a joint student council.

The idea is that the student council will have involvement in planning the proposed academy.

The sponsors and project management company have agreed an appointments committee with a view to appointing a principal for the proposed academy by the end of this term.

There are many legal process to go through before an academy to come into existence.

Below are the dates for when some of those processes are expected.

On January 6, 2009 the council’s cabinet is set to meet to make a decision on the location of the proposed academy.

Closure notices for three schools are due to be published in late January, 2009. There is a six week period for comments and objections.

The cabinet decision on the closure of three schools is due to take place on April 7, 2009.

The council plans to close the three schools on 31 August, 2009.

The proposed academy is due to open on the Parkview and Thorncliffe sites on September 1, 2009.

The new academy building(s) are planned to open in September 2012.