Culverhay/BCA - Rush Hill Site Update

Local Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball have called on the cabinet to approve the papers at the upcoming Cabinet Meeting in June. 

After years of fighting to retain a strong education role for the Culverhay/BCA site by Councillors Sarah Moore and Tim Ball and other Councillors, and thanks to the dedication of the cabinet member for young people and children, the Council has secured two major government new build investments for the site with a possible total value in excess of £50m. 

We have had regular meetings with fellow South West Bath Councillors, Cabinet Members and Council officers because we value the current site uses and with two such large schools proposed on the site, we are also hopeful we will be able to have shared facilities for our residents outside school hours.

One school is for a 120 place SEND provision to allow for greater access for youngsters locally and another 55 place school for alternative provision for young people struggling at regular schools.

These decisions will commit that the site will retain a clear education role for the long term. We will keep residents updated on the decision for this and also the progress of the work, should it be approved.

Councillor Sarah Moore will be speaking at the Cabinet meeting to urge the proposals are accepted and we will keep you updated on the progress of this project.

Current situation at the Culverhay/BCA site

While discussions are continuing for the future of the Rush Hill site, we wanted to provide the community with an update of what has happened so far.

The Learn@Mat senior school provision has expanded on the site and continues to provide quality education to some of the most vulnerable children in B&NES. The council are in the process of acquiring funds to relocate this excellent provision into the former area occupied by Bath Spa. Creating a modern and safe learning environment. The planned launch date for this enhanced provision is September 2021.

To ensure the site is occupied while the council look to bring much needed vocational learning back to the site. The council have moved in its heritage archive team in to occupy a small section and are in negotiations, for a short term lease, with the local Hindu community to open up the main hall as a community centre and place of worship. 

B&NES musical service also have plans to use the hall for group music lessons that are Covid secure moving forward to complement the online sessions currently being given. 

You will also see that B&NES has contracted the main building space out in the immediate short term to a national film crew to use the space for an upcoming TV series, bringing in much needed revenue and ensuring the building is kept in use before permanent arrangements are made.

Long Term Plans

The council is still in negotiations with a number of educational & sports providers including Bath College to bring much needed vocational learning back to the site. This is in conjunction with other partners on how best we can utilise the Gym and pool facilities for both future tenants and the wider community.

Councillor Sarah Moore said "As a member of the site steering group, I am pleased to see our commitment to continuing education on this site is looking more possible".

Examination results help and advice for students

Students whose exam results aren’t quite what they expected are being offered expert advice and help to plan a new future.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is offering young people a personal advice service through its teams of Personal Advisers and Youth Workers.

They can provide information, advice and guidance on further education courses, apprenticeships, training and job opportunities to students whose summer examination results were not as good as they expected.

To access the advice, please call01225 396980 or pop into one of our sessions:

·         Peasedown Youth Hub -  Thursday,  21 August 10am to 12 noon with brunch included;Friday, 22 August 10am to 12 noon.

·         Southside Youth Hub –Thursday, 21 August 2pm to 4pm.

·         The Hollies, Midsomer Norton – Thursday, 22 August 2pm to 4pm.

·         Radstock Youth Hub –Tuesday, 26 August 2pm to 3pm.

·         Time Out, Keynsham –Tuesday, 26 August 2pm to 5pm.

·         Chew Magna, Friday 22 August Mobile  10am - 12pmat Chew Valley Lake car park without café.

·         Bath One Stop Shop, Manvers Street – Thursday, 21 August 3pm to 4pm; Friday, 22 August 2pm to 5pm; Tuesday, 26 August 2pm to 5pm;Wednesday, 27 August 2pm to 5pm; and Thursday, 28 August 3pm to 4pm.

St Michael's Junior School Twerton

I am pleased to be able to tell readers that special needs children and St Michael's Junior School in Twerton are to have more equipment to help with their learning.

I have been able to make a donation of £490 to the friends of the School to buy specialist education equipment that will help many young people at the School, this has been made through the councillors initiative fund.

The money will add to the money that the Friends of the School raise through events that they organise and take part in during the School year with Children of the School.

A great deal of credit has to be paid to these volunteers who spend much of their free time putting others first.

I am always pleased to be able to help a forward looking School with many young energetic staff.

I have a small amount that I am still able allocate to projects in Twerton as has councillor Gerry Curran.

If you know of any small projects that needs some help then please let us know.


By Councillor Tim Ball

Why Culverhay Should Stay Open

This short Videos tells you why Culverhay should stay open



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I3oUfc_vQU