THE Government has formally ruled that Culcheth High School's sixth form college will close.

Schools adjudicator David Lennard Jones ruled that the college could close after the decision was referred to him because the council had missed out on a two month time limit to rule on the decision itself.

Warrington Borough Council's executive board had voted in favour of the college closure on June 10 but because the decision was called in by Clr Chris Vobe (LAB - Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft) and the scrutiny committee sent recommendations back to the executive board its final decision fell on July 14 - outside the June 24 two month deadline.

Mr Lennard Jones said: "The proposal to remove this sixth form has the full support of the school’s governing body. The substantive decision making body the LA, having considered all the arguments, also concluded that the removal of this sixth form should be approved.

"I have carefully reviewed all the issues and read the detail of the objections made. I have concluded that the proposal to remove the sixth form at Culcheth High school should be approved."


Responding to the decision, Warrington North MP Helen Jones said: "This Government can no longer claim to support parents who want more choice.

"In our area, the choice for local people is being reduced.
 
"The adjudicator’s decision is very disappointing and lets down the hundreds of people who objected to these plans for closure."
 

In a joint statement, Clr Chris Vobe and Clr Matt Smith added: "We have always supported retaining a sixth form in our village. The excellent A-level results at Culcheth this year show the high standards of education the college offered.
 
"The adjudicator has made the wrong decision, as yet again this Government proves they are not on the side of people in Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft."
 

 

The sixth form will officially close on August 31, 2015.