Will school and land be sold for housing development after merger? (From Times Series)

Will school and land be sold for housing development after merger?

1:08pm Tuesday 17th February 2004 in

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The so-called consultation meeting on the proposed closure of Christ Church School in North Finchley on February 9 was not one (Parents consulted on failing schools' future', February 12). It was a meeting whereby the education department could measure the political opposition to its schemes. Scheduled for just an hour and a half, it was a we are telling you' meeting as no governor, headmaster or expert opinion was involved.

The council and the church are strapped for cash. Council staff are to be made redundant, it has a £10million overdraft, is set to lose a £31m grant for education and two libraries are to close.

The Church of England Synod is looking to sell a whole array of church properties and land. This does not fall in with the rosy picture painted for Christ Church School.

By 2005, the council will, by one means or another, have placed all the pupils currently at Christ Church. This would free it from the continuing burden of offering places to neighbouring LEAs currently thought to be about ten per cent, or about 2,000 pupils. This would be another way of improving education standards in Barnet while reducing costs.

How do we know that Christ Church School and the land it occupies will not then be used for housing?

Douglas Wells
Finchley Park, North Finchley