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The Statement of Intent letter from the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) is now available for you to read in full.  Just click HERE to open it.

The letter is from Paul Schofield, Deputy Schools Commissioner and it is addressed to Clair Piper, the Strategic Director for Education & Children's Services at Slough Borough Council.

It makes it clear that:

• The Diocese is the lead sponsor.
• The Council is co-sponsor.
• A Catholic HE Institute will have to be identified by the Diocese and the Council and this Institute may be an additional co-sponsor.
• The Council and DCSF have agreed the Academy will open in September 2011 in existing buildings with new buildings opening in September 2014 at the earliest.

There is much to ponder here.  For one thing, we see that Slough Borough Council is fully behind this plan which would mean St Joseph's and St Bernard's merging.  This same Council is applying for £20m of  Building Schools for the Future funding on behalf of St Joseph's.  Is this just a pragmatic grab for cash from any source or do the Council, with Diocese support, have as yet undisclosed plans for the St Joseph's or even the St Bernard's site? 

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