Decision details

The Governing Body proposal has met the relevant procedural legal requirements in the regulations in framing and publishing their proposals, and in  making the notifications and undertaking the consultations required, and has the full support of the Diocese of Chester, who have advised and supported them. Feedback from staff, parents and the local church and community has been supportive, and of 19 questionnaires returned to governors, 18 supported the conversion to Aided status, with one respondent “not sure”.

There is no evident objective basis for rejecting the request, or seeking any modification or imposing any condition on approval. The regulations allow for these only on certain limited criteria e.g. requirement for planning permissions, a new site, or building project, none of which apply in this case. Further the school, as required, has demonstrated it has made additional financial budgetary provision to be able to meet the necessary 10% contribution to building maintenance or any capital programme, although it is acknowledged this is an on-going challenge and concern for all, or almost all, Aided schools in England.

To approve without modification the proposal from the Governing Body of Woodcock’s  Well CE Controlled Primary School that it become Church of England Aided with effect from 1 September 2013, and to authorise Officers to take the actions required for implementation as required in the regulations.