OUTCOME OF THE STRATEGIC REVIEW OF CATHOLIC
SCHOOLS
IN DONCASTER LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY
JUNE 2004
INTRODUCTION
Following extensive informal consultation with all catholic school communities in Doncaster, the Diocesan Trustees, under the chairmanship of Bishop John Rawsthorne, have now approved strategies to ensure that a network of high quality, distinctive Catholic schools continue to operate in Doncaster serving both the Catholic community itself and contributing to the Common Good.
We believe that Catholic schools offer a radical alternative to other good schools and make a significant contribution to social cohesion and the wider Doncaster community. However, we also recognise our responsibility to work in close partnership with Doncaster LEA in the supply of school places. The lower birth rate, fewer baptisms, the need to appoint appropriate staff to retain our distinctiveness together with the views of staff, governors, parishioners, parents and LEA and diocesan officers have all been carefully considered.
The Diocesan Trustees recognise with gratitude all the good work that has taken place in our Catholic schools over many years and acknowledge with great appreciation the impact of this work in enriching the lives of many children, their families and the wider community of Doncaster.
To ensure that a realistic, vibrant network of distinctive Catholic schools continue to operate, the Diocesan Trustees request that officers of the Diocesan Schools' Department work with LEA officers, governors and staff to ensure all our Catholic schools work together as closely as possible, and that reductions in pupil admission numbers and the management and governance of some schools should change from September 2006. Where such change is proposed, a process of statutory consultation will commence in Autumn 2004. The Doncaster School Organisation will take a final decision in January 2005.
SPECIFIC PROPOSALS APPROVED BY THE DIOCESAN TRUSTEES
St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Denaby Main.
Retain as at present with a Planned Admission Number of 30 pupils serving the parishes of St Alban's, Denaby Main and English Martyrs, Mexborough.
Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Stainforth.
Reduce the Planned Admission Number from 30 pupils to 20 serving the parishes of Our Lady of the Assumption, Stainforth and St Joseph & St Nicholas, Moorends.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School, Bentley
Reduce the Planned Admission Number from 30 pupils to 20 serving the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Move towards a formal structured collaboration with St Joseph & St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Woodlands resulting in a federation of the two schools have one headteacher and one governing body.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Primary School, Armthorpe
Retain as at present with a Planned Admission Number of 20 pupils serving the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows and St Francis, Armthorpe and the chapel of ease of St Thomas of Canterbury, Kirk Sandall.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School, Intake
Retain as at present with a Planned Admission Number of 30 pupils serving the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Mary Magdalene.
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Balby
Retain as at present with a Planned Admission Number of 30 pupils serving the parish of Sacred Heart, Balby and part of the parish of St Peter's, north-west of Hyde Park. Move towards a formal structured collaboration with St Mary's Catholic Primary school in Edlington and St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Doncaster.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Rossington
Retain as at present with a Planned Admission Number of 30 pupils serving the parish of Christ the King, Rossington and the chapel of ease of Finningley. Move towards a structured collaboration with St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Bircotes, Nottingham LEA.
St Joseph and St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Woodlands
Reduce the Planned Admission Number from 30 to 20 serving the parishes of St Joseph and St Teresa's Woodlands and Blessed English Martyrs, Askern. Move towards a formal, structured collaboration with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, Bentley resulting in a federation of the two schools having one headteacher and one governing body.
St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Doncaster
Reduce the Planned Admission Number from 37 to 30 pupils serving the parishes of St Peter's and St Paul's. Move towards a formal structured collaboration with St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Balby and St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Edlington.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Edlington
Reduce the Planned Admission Number from 30 to 20 serving the parish of St Mary and move towards a formal structured collaboration with St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Balby and St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Doncaster.
The McAuley Catholic High School
Retain at present size with a Planned Admission Number of 280. Continue the exploration of the possibility of moving the school onto one site.
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Bircotes
Nottingham LEA
Retain at present size with a Planned Admission Number of 15 pupils serving the parish of St Patrick's Harworth and the areas of Bircotes, Harworth and Styrrup. Move towards a structured collaboration with St Joseph's Primary School, Rossington.