Surprise at proposed ‘new school’ at Askham Bar

Local residents – and Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward councillors – have reacted with surprise to a story in The Press on 11 January which suggests that a ‘Creative Arts Academy’ primary school could be built on the old Askham Bar Park & Ride site – see http://tinyurl.com/askham-bar-school

Cllr Stephen Fenton and Cllr An Reid at what is now the 'Moor Lane pay & display car park'

Cllr Stephen Fenton and Cllr Ann Reid at what is now the ‘Moor Lane pay & display car park’

 

 

 

 

 

 

The idea has been put forward by the Ebor Academy Trust, which currently runs two schools in York – Robert Wilkinson in Strensall, and Haxby Road. We understand that the proposal envisages a primary school for about 420 pupils plus a unit for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Due to legislative changes, any new schools that are built have to be either a Free School or an Academy, funded directly by the Department for Education. The proposed new school is therefore not something that has been suggested by City of York Council.

The old Park & Ride site is owned by the council, and we understand that there have been no discussions with council officers about its possible sale to Ebor Academy Trust. Nor has any planning application for a new school on the site been submitted.

We have contacted Ebor Academy Trust, and they advise that any residents who wish to comment on their proposals should contact them via their website at http://creativeartsacademyyork.org/

It appears to us to be a ‘kite flying’ exercise on the part of the Ebor Academy Trust, designed to gauge reaction to their proposals.