|
Today's Monday letter states that the EoI (Expression of Interest) has been submitted to the DCSF for approval. Just to be clear, the EoI has gone to the DCSF for approval without the support of the St Bernard's governors. The Diocese either thought they could get it approved before the election or decided that they wouldn't be able to persuade the St Bernard's governors to support it.
Unfortunately, the rise in support for the Liberal Democrats since Thursday 15 April means that a hung parliament with Labour as the largest party (Lib-Lab pact anyone?) is more likely than it was previously. If Labour are in government after the election then the EoI will almost certainly be approved and the Feasibility Study will follow. Then comes the funding agreement. It is pretty much a done deal if that funding agreement gets signed. So, we need to kick up a fuss before the election; try to make it a local issue. After the election we need to put pressure on the new Schools secretary regarding approval of the EoI and make our objections felt during the Feasibility Study. Here's what John McAteer said in the newsletter: "At the end of last term, in the final Monday letter, I informed parents that we had not been informed of any further developments regarding the future of St Bernard’s and St Joseph’s. The following morning, the Diocese informed both schools that the completed Expression of Interest form had been submitted to the Department for Education and that we would be informed of further developments. On Friday 16 April, the Diocese further contacted the school to inform us that the DCSF had informed the Sponsors that the Expression of Interest had not been considered by a Minister before the Easter recess. It would now go to whoever occupies the appropriate desk when the new Government begins work after the election. It is therefore not known when any decision might be expected." To discuss this article, join our mailing list. |
