Minister backs plans to close John Summers High School

Deeside.com understands that John Summers High School is set to close following a Ministerial decision communicated on Friday evening.

The decision on the proposal to discontinue 11-16 provision and, in effect, close John Summers High School has been ‘conditionally approved‘ by the Education Minister, a position now rebranded as Cabinet Secretary in this Assembly.

The details from Welsh Government state the ‘evidence based’ action has been taken ‘after careful and detailed consideration’.

Kirsty Williams AM, the Cabinet Secretary for Education considered Flintshire County Council’s proposal to end sixth form provision at John Summers High School from 31 August 2016 and end the 11-16 provision from 31 August 2017.

This evening Flintshire Council has been notified that the Cabinet Secretary has decided to approve the proposal to remove the sixth form provision from 31 August 2016 and to approve the proposal to remove the 11-16 provision from 31 August 2017.

The closure will occur on condition that Flintshire County Council receives approval for its application for funding and any relevant planning permission to improve Connah’s Quay High School to a standard that is outlined in their Strategic Outline Plan submitted to the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Capital Funding team.

The approval for the local authority’s funding application and planning permission must be in place by 14th July 2017.

This is a developing story – more soon…