Rescue package for St Ursula's School at Westbury-on-Trym to be debated on Friday

Bristol City Council has just announced that its Cabinet will be holding a special meeting on Friday to make a decision on whether to purchase the land and buildings of St Ursula's School at Westbury-on-Trym from the administrators.

In a statement, the council said: "In a strategic bid to preserve the future of education on the site, councillors will consider:

1. That the chief executive be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, to conclude negotiations in relation to the purchase of St Ursula's School site on the basis now reported. 2. That, subject to 1. above, to authorise the Strategic Director for Children, Young People & Skills to agree terms with Oasis Community Learning, with a view to providing continuity of education provision at the St Ursula's site for the next academic year.

3.That longer term considerations regarding future education provision on the St Ursula's site form part of the School Organisation Strategy which will be considered by Cabinet later in the year."

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Cllr Clare Campion-Smith said: "We cannot open a new school in a few weeks, so we are in discussions with Oasis Community Learning who have indicated a willingness to continue fee-paying education on the site for a period of time.

"We cannot put council money into a private school - our focus is on providing much-needed state education on the site as soon as practically possible.

"There is no guarantee of our offer for the site being accepted but we are progressing negotiations speedily and are making this announcement today, to help bring some clarity to the situation for anxious families."