Agonising wait goes on for final decision on future of troubled St Ursula's School at Westbury-on-Trym
By Becky_Feather | Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 08:43
Parents, pupils and staff of St Ursula's School at Westbury-on-Trym must wait at least another week to hear whether a rescue plan will work.
-
Parents, pupils and staff must wait another week at least to find out whether the school has been saved
They were summoned to a meeting at the troubled independent school last night when many hoped a decision would be announced about its future.
Oasis Community Learning, the Christian charity that wants to take over the school from the Sisters of Mercy, the Catholic order which owns the buildings, and eventually reopen it as an academy, said the intention had been to make an offer to the administrators yesterday but this decision had been delayed following discussions with Bristol City Council.
Donniya Dhadhra, representing Oasis Community Learning, read out a statement after the meeting, to which the press were not invited.
She said: "We have today entered into positive discussions with Bristol City Council to formulate a joint proposal that could be submitted to the administrator for an early resolution of the current situation.
"It is important to stress that Oasis, the Smith Bradbeer Charitable Trust (another Christian charity) and Bristol City Council share a sense of urgency for such a resolution and that proposals being considered are ones that aim to provide for the continuity of education on the St Ursula's site from this September."
A further meeting has been planned "on or before" August 17, she said.
Chris Thurling, from the campaign to keep the school open, said: "I am sorry that we didn't get the definitive answer we were all hoping for.
"I think we have to be realistic and understand that a complex situation like this can't be sorted out in such a short space of time."
Comments
Oasis are hoping to make a positive announcement by tomorrow evening.
Chris Thurling, of the St Ursula's Parents' Action Group, said it was a "complex and sensitive situation involving several parties" and although there was goodwill all round, there were still areas to be finalised.
The group has achieved £450,000 in pledges and offers of soft loans, more than 600 members on a Facebook campaign group, and more than 500 signatures on its ePetition.
By Becky_Feather at 09:39 on 16/08/10
Report