Decision details

To inform of the status of the Free School application made by Fylde Coast Academy Trust and update on the impact this will have on secondary school places within Blackpool.

Further to the above, seek approval for the demolition of the former Bispham High School buildings and agree to retain the land at this present time. Any proposal regarding the future use or disposal of the land would be the subject of a further report.

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

1. To note the approval by the Secretary of State for Education of a new Free School within Blackpool. The school will be opened September 2018 for pupils from nursery age to 16 years of age (all-through) and will be run by Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT). The location of the school will be the former Arnold School site on Lytham Road, Blackpool.

2. To approve the demolition of the former Bispham High School in its entirety and that the demolition be undertaken by the Blackpool Local Education Partnerships via the existing arrangement with the Council, which would expedite the demolition process.

3. To retain the former Bispham High School site in the short term for educational purposes until a further decision is made around the future use of the site.

4. To agree that the Director of People continues to work with existing academy providers, to ensure that there are a sufficient number of good quality secondary places to meet demand in future years.