Government Silent On Fate Of Bath Studio School

23 January 2019

Children and families in the south west of Bath face ongoing uncertainty about the future of the Bath Studio School.The Department of Education (DfE) has remained silent after pre-approving termination of school's funding agreement. The plan would see the school close in August 2020...

Before making a final decision on the school, on 22 October the DfE invited parents and carers share their views during in a five-week listening period which closed on 27 November.

Local residents are deeply concerned. Twerton resident Sarah Moore approached Bath MP Wera Hobhouse for help. Sarah Moore said, “The consultation finished several months ago now and we were told a decision would be made very quickly but the families in this area are again left without a clear way forward. My youngest son is doing his GCSEs this year and has to make a decision about what he wants to do in September, which is difficult when he doesn't know if his school will still be operating to enable him to do full, two-year A level courses.”

Wera Hobhouse has written to the Minister for Education. As she stated, “I have been contacted by parents from the south west of Bath who would appreciate some certainty about the school’s future. They are concerned about the damaging impact of this on their children, and are awaiting your swift response.”

Wera Hobhouse said, “This situation is obviously very difficult for parents and children alike. I look forward to receiving the Minister’s swift response on this matter.”