School's name change could be delayed by wait for minister's signature (From Worcester News)

School's name change could be delayed by wait for minister's signature

11:10am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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A FLAGSHIP academy will keep the name Elgar Technology College for another four months if the schools minister does not sign the paperwork on time.

Concerns were raised at a Worcestershire County Council cabinet meeting over a potential hurdle to the closure of the school in Bilford Road, Worcester, and the opening of the Tudor Grange Academy in its place.

The academy, an independent state-sponsored school, is scheduled to open on Tuesday, September 1, but the green light has not yet been given by the Government for the closure of the existing college, which was placed in special measures on the advice of inspectors in 2007.

Coun Mary Drinkwater said: “Local people are anxious about what’s going to happen, whether it will be called Elgar or Tudor Grange.”

However, officials at the county council have said it was ‘highly unlikely’ that the schools minister Vernon Coaker would not sign the paperwork before the deadline of Monday, August 31. However, if approval has not been granted for closure by then, council chiefs will have to seek authorisation to change the name on Thursday, December 31, four months later than scheduled.

Whatever happens, pupils would report to the school in September but it would keep the name Elgar Technology College for another four months until the changeover is formally approved by the minister.

Head of community partnership Geoff Taylor-Smith said it was likely that the academy timetable would be introduced in September, even if the name had not changed.

The majority of Elgar staff will transfer to the academy and officials are still planning for a September opening.

£15.4 million has been allocated for the academy to be redeveloped and refurbished by the end of 2012.

Gail Quinton, director of children’s services, said at the meeting: “We have not received formal ministerial approval, although we anticipate this will follow. We have received support from officials at the DCSF but it has not yet been signed off by the minister.”

Coun Liz Eyre, who holds the county council’s children and young people portfolio, said the delay was “very disappointing”.

Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of Worcester City Council, said: “It’s most unsatisfactory that this decision could be taken on August 31 – that really worries me. I wonder whether we could lobby the MP for Worcester. He should be applying pressure on behalf of the community and get the decision out of them.”

Council leader Coun George Lord said he expected a decision well before August 31, although he said he would write to MP Mike Foster about the situation.