Purpose

To seek approval to begin the relevant and required statutory consultation for the proposal to amalgamate St Anthony's Roman Catholic Primary School, St David's Roman Catholic Primary School and St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School to create a 3-18 All Through School for the Catholic School Network.

Decision

(a)      That the contents of the report and the rational for this proposal from the Catholic Diocese of Wrexham be noted, as they seek to effectively manage their school estate in Flintshire in the context of falling pupil numbers and funding challenges; and

(b)      That Cabinet approves to commence consultation with relevant stakeholders on the proposal to close St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, St David’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High Schools and open a new 3-18 all-through Catholic school to provide for learning provision for the Catholic community.  Cabinet also notes any proposal, should it be approved following completion of the required statutory processes, would be implemented by September 2027.