Have your say on the future of city's secondary schools

Joanne Ginley

PUBLIC talks to discuss the future of three Leeds secondary schools have been approved by the city’s most senior councillors.

Leeds City Council’s executive board has agreed a formal consultation should take place to discuss the futures of City of Leeds, Primrose High School and Parklands Girls’ High School.

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All three schools are included in the government’s National Challenge programme and changes are needed to make sure the 30 per cent GCSE target for 2011 is reached or maintained.

Education Leeds has proposed establishing an academy on the Parklands site, sponsored by Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust, which also sponsors the Leeds West Academy; to close City of Leeds as a school and consider the future use of the site for alternative educational purposes; and to establish an academy on the Primrose site, sponsored by the Co-operative Group. If approved, these proposals will go ahead in 2011.

Parklands Girls’ High School’s GCSE results have already exceeded the national target this year, but due to a declining roll and difficult financial situation present a challenge for sustaining progress beyond 2011.

City of Leeds and Primrose High School both face major challenges to improve teaching, attendance and behaviour standards and require urgent changes to meet the target.

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Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said: “We must ensure all our schools meet national standards for GCSE achievements.

“These proposals have been made to improve learning across the city. The consultation will be thorough and will provide an opportunity for people to make their views known. It is vital that all interested parties take part so that a complete picture is presented to the executive board.”

The consultation will run until March 5 and there will be a public meeting at each school, as follows: City of Leeds High School, Bedford Field, Woodhouse Cliff, 7pm on Wednesday, February 10; Primrose High School, Stoney Rock Lane, 7pm on Thursday, February 11; Parklands Girls High School, South Parkway, Seacroft, 7pm on Tuesday, February 23.

Information is also available by calling 0113 2475696 or at www.educationleeds.co.uk/schoolorganisation.