Church leaders have welcomed Surrey County Council’s (SCC’s) decision to postpone closing a Godalming school.
Councillor Mary Lewis moved to allow options for a multi-academy trust (MAT) to take over Green Oak Church of England Primary School to be further explored at a SCC decision-making meeting on Tuesday (May 8).
A spokesman for the Diocese of Guildford said they welcomed Cllr Lewis’s decision to halt publishing closure notices and would work with headteacher Philippa Leftley and the interim executive board in the meantime.
SCC education officers were given the go-ahead by Cllr Lewis to explore a MAT taking over after a sponsor came forward showing interest during consultation to close the school.
In a statement released on Wednesday (May 9), a Diocese of Guildford spokesman said: “We understand and recognise that the public consultation on proposals for closure of Green Oak Church of England Primary school led by Surrey County has been unsettling for the children, parents and local community who care deeply about the future of the school.
“The diocese welcomes Cllr Lewis’s decision to postpone the public consultation on closure to provide additional time to explore the options to secure the future of this Church school. We are committed to working with the local authority and the Department for Education to look at the best way to secure the future of the school.
“We hope that all parties can now work quickly to identify a solution for the school which will provide the additional capacity and resources that the school needs to maintain and build upon the recent improvement recognised by Ofsted.
“We are encouraged by the level of response to the public consultation from local bodies who have come forward in support of the school and the community, and we hope these will lead to a real commitment from all involved to secure the future of the school so it can continue to serve the community.
“During this time, the diocese will continue to support the work of Mrs Leftley and the interim executive board to ensure that the children at the school receive the academic and pastoral support they need while the future of the school is further explored.”
The future of Green Oak came under threat following an inadequate Ofsted report in 2017. Since consultation started inspectors noted an improvement in outcomes for pupils and a MAT came forward interested to take the Diocese of Guildford voluntary-aided school over.
Article originally appeared on Get Surrey
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