§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the proposed closure of Merrywood School, Knowle West, Bristol, will improve the equality of educational opportunities for the children of Knowle West. [HL2870]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)In reaching his decision on the closure of Merrywood School, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for32WA Education and Employment was satisfied that approval would benefit pupils educationally. As the noble Lord is aware, the Secretary of State's decision was based on a number of factors, not least the poor educational opportunities the school offered its pupils. It is, I believe, relevant that Merrywood has been in special measures since April 1997 with very little evidence of any significant improvement in standards. The small number of pupils displaced by the school's closure will be likely to benefit by accessing a better standard of education if they attend alternative schools.
the noble Lord will also be interested to hear that Bristol is included in the second phase of Excellence in Cities, which targets inner city under-achievement, and pupils from the area currently served by the school will be able to benefit from this programme. Finally, Bristol City Council has agreed to take forward plans to develop an education park based on the Merrywood site. It is intended that this park will provide lifelong learning activities and, in partnership with local schools, offer study support opportunities for local children.