A Keynsham school looks set to be saved from closure

PUPILS, staff and parents are celebrating news that Keynsham's Broadlands School is likely to stay open.

The secondary school in St Francis Road was threatened with closure in a review of education in Bath and North and East Somerset.

But yesterday Councillor Chris Watt, Bath and North and East Somerset Council's cabinet member for children's services, revealed the recommendation to the cabinet – due to make a decision on Wednesday, July 21 – was for no change to schools in Keynsham.

He said the authority tried but failed to "get in early" in the Building Schools for the Future programme, which was scrapped last week by the Coalition Government.

It meant there was no money for a new school for Keynsham on the Wellsway site, which would have incorporated both Wellsway and Broadlands pupils.

Mr Watt said that, as both schools have a "satisfactory" Ofsted rating, if they merged Broadlands pupils would not receive a higher standard of education than they get already.

He said: "It's not about national policy, it's not about local politics, and it's not about demand from parents in Bristol, though they made it pretty clear they wanted to keep the school open. We don't believe that closing Broadlands would bring about improvements."

Mr Watt said the council's cabinet, made up of six leading councillors, was almost certain to follow the recommendation unless something major happens before the meeting.

Broadlands School head teacher Justine Hocking said: "We are absolutely delighted about this.

"This lifts the blight which has hung like a shadow over our school and means that we can look forward to an exciting future."

She praised staff, parents and friends of the school who had given their support to fight off the merger threat.

Ms Hocking said: "The community backed Broadlands and we are so pleased their support has paid off.

"We received this support because people recognised we provide quality education at Broadlands."

Chairman of  Broadlands governors Brian Davies, said: “We have always said that two schools was the best situation for Keynsham.”