Failing secondary school to close early as numbers drop

Hull Council's Cabinet yesterday agreed to close David Lister secondary in September 2012 amid concerns about a rapidly falling pupil roll and problems retaining staff.

The council had planned to shut David Lister in 2015 as part of a wholesale shake-up of secondary education in the city under the 400m Building Schools for the Future programme.

But the authority and the Government wanted the school – which went into special measures in July 2008 – closed "as soon as possible" after a report said it would not be viable by 2015.

Portfolio holder for education and children's services Coun Christine Randall said: "Phased closure will allow continuity of education during examination courses and will provide students with a broader range of options than they might have had in a school with a reducing number of pupils. We have listened to parents' views and will do everything we can to work with them to ensure that all pupils have the best possible chance to fulfil their potential."

The Church of England's York Diocese, which sponsors the school where many David Lister pupils and their parents want to go – Archbishop Sentamu Academy – had wanted the closure delayed until August 31 2013.

It feared the academy, which will move to new premises in September 2011, could be overwhelmed by an influx of new pupils.

A report last week revealed some David Lister parents felt they had been "lied to" two years ago and thought all Lister pupils had been "guaranteed" a place at the new academy.

Only 71 pupils will join David Lister in September this year, even though 270 places are available in that intake.

It currently has 824 pupils and a capacity of 1,350.

The academy, which is oversubscribed at its present site in Hopewell Road, with 917 pupils at an 891-place school, will move to new purpose-built premises in Preston Road, with capacity for 1,350 children.

The council said it had promised to work closely with parents, pupils and the staff at David Lister to develop a "transition plan" for every child.