Bath Studio School Facing Closure
Bath Studio School is facing closure, leaving many young people uncertain over the future of their education.
Wellsway Multi Academy Trust, who run the school, have asked permission from the Secretary of State for Education to close the school, and have received 'in principle' approval. A five week listening period will now start, where those affected can comment on the plans.
If at the end of the listening period the closure is given formal approval, the school will shut in 2020, with no new admissions from 2019.
The decision was announced via e-mail to parents on Monday evening; by the Trust who cited "lack of demand" as the reason for its closure.
It’s the second school in south west Bath to close in 6 months, after Bath Community Academy shut its doors at the end of the summer term.
Many parents in the South West of the city and in the surrounding villages now face an even more significant challenge in finding school places for their children.
Reacting to the news, Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, said:
“This is a massive let-down for many children and parents in Bath. This free school has just not delivered. It is the result of a Conservative party folly on education which has entirely fragmented our education system, removed accountability and failed to deliver proper results. Local authorities need clear responsibility for local schools."
Difficulties for The Bath Studio School
Bath Studio School was opened in September 2014, and emphasises its “state of the art recording studios and facilities, small class sizes, industry links and sense of community.”
However it was rated "requires improvement" in its first ever Ofsted report in June 2017. The education watchdog criticised senior leaders, governors and the trust for not doing enough to tackle the areas requiring improvement.
It has also faced leadership difficulties recently, with its former head teacher Colin Cattanach absent from the school for five months.
To make your views known regarding the plans, e-mail rsc.sw@education.gov.uk.
