September 2014
Plans for the new school at Crindledyke Farm are being proposed by Carlisle Diocese, with the support of Story Homes.
A special consultation is being launched this week over plans to create a new church school on the development. The Diocese of Carlisle is working closely with Story Homes on proposals to create the school, a planning stipulation for the development. A school must be built by the time the 200th home is occupied on the 850 home scheme.
Now the Diocese – the Church of England in Cumbria – is to consult with new and prospective residents on the estate as well as other local groups. Michael Mill, the diocese’s Director of Education, Children and Young People, said: “The Church of England has a very long and proud tradition of providing excellence in education through our schools.
“We have 105 schools across Cumbria with more than 80 per cent deemed good or outstanding in inspection. So we have much to offer our existing and new communities, such as those in and around the Crindledyke Farm development.
“Through our work with Story Homes we’re confident that a new church school on the Crindledyke Farm development will further boost our excellent educational provision as well as easing pressure on limited school places in the north of the city.”
The new school will cater for 210 pupils with some additional nursery places and would open on a phased basis. It would be built by Story Homes with the diocese taking over its running and is forecast to open in September 2017.
Ian Storey, Technical Director at Story Homes said: “We are pleased to be working alongside the Diocese, who have an excellent track record and high standards. The success and repute of a new school at Crindledyke Farm is extremely important to Story Homes for the benefit of the community.”
The diocese is currently exploring two proposals for the school, either as a Voluntary Aided School or a Free School, to be run through its multi academy trust, The Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust.
Residents will receive a special consultation pack through the post, detailing plans for the church school and offering them the chance to give feedback. Prospective residents of Crindledyke Farm will be emailed electronic versions of the consultation pack. A drop-in session is also scheduled for Thursday 25 September from 4pm to 7pm at the Marketing Suite on the Crindledyke development.
Representatives of the diocese’s Board of Education and Story Homes will be on hand to help answer questions about the proposed church school, with more information packs and refreshments also available.
