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Above is a process map (click on it to enlarge it) showing the stages and timescales involved in relation to the Diocese of Northampton's proposal, with the support of Slough LA, the School and Governors, to close St. Bernard's as a Catholic Grammar School and open a new and larger Academy.

You are urged to continue gaining your pesonal petition support and a copy of the petition form can be found here.  These will be used during the EoI (Expression of Interest) or feasibility stages to demonstrate opposition to this proposal.

Please note the following facts:

• St. Bernard’s could become an Academy in less than 2 years from now.
• The implementation stage could run alongside the feasibility study as in many cases this means that the implementation will start ahead of Funding Agreement.
• Academy proposals can ONLY be rejected prior to funding agreement by Slough LA and Diocese of Northampton.
• The school or governors cannot reject these proposals once an EoI has been submitted.
• The Secretary of State is the person who signs the funding agreement and this could happen with 6-9 months.
• A meeting was held on 6th January 2009 with representatives from the Diocese, Slough LA, St. Bernard’s, St. Joseph’s and Governors which advised "DCSF have agreed to take our letter onto the next stage and invite an expression of interest. St Joseph’s, St Bernard’s, the Diocese and Slough Borough Council have agreed to continue with the expression of interest and carry out some detailed work on what it will involve, which will need to be communicated to governors, parents and the community". At the time of writing, this has not yet been communicated.

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