Future of Wennington Hall School hangs in the balance

The future of specialist school hangs in the balance.

A formal consultation is currently under way into Lancashire County Council’s plan to stop running Wennington Hall in Lancashire after the Secretary of State revoked an academy order issued in 2017.

At that time further admissions to the school were restricted and pupil numbers have been falling.Of the 80 places that the school can offer, only 55 are currently filled.

The school, which caters for residential and day pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, was earmarked for conversion after it was plunged into special measures but a sponsor couldn’t be found.

Now Lancashire County Council says that if a private provider can’t be found the Regional Schools Commissioner will have the option of continuing to look for an academy sponsor or working with the county council to close the school in August.

LCC said it will continuing to support the school during this period of change. Working in partnership with the school governors to secure an alternative education provider for the Wennington Hall site also remains a priority.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “The council’s cabinet considered this proposal very carefully, before arriving at their decision.

“We have a duty to provide a high-quality education for all of our young people and this was a major factor in the discussion that we had about the future of the school.

“Despite all the efforts that we have made the school’s last rating from Ofsted was Inadequate once again.”