School will close doors

Sneyd Community College looks certain to close despite a hard-fought campaign to keep it open, it was revealed today.

Education chiefs are now looking at three options for the future of the struggling Bloxwich secondary, all of which would see it axed within three years.

Two set August 2012 as the date of closure, with youngsters transferred to other schools.

The third would see the school in Vernon Way close by August 2010, with remaining pupils moved to nearby Frank F Harrison Engineering College. Sneyd buildings would continue to be used until a planned expansion at the other school is completed.

A six-week consultation into the options with parents, teachers and governors is due to begin on May 8. The blow comes after a vigorous campaign to save the secondary, where pupil numbers have dwindled and recorded poor exam results.

Education bosses are looking at transforming the building into an engineering college for 14 to 19-year-olds or a skills centre.

A report to Walsall Council's cabinet by head of planning and development, Susan Lupton, said investigations had left them no alternatives to closure.

"Despite the efforts of the school, the combination of standards issues, curriculum delivery and financial viability are such that Sneyd Community College is not viable," she said.

Sneyd head teacher Dr Sean Sweeney today said he would still continue trying to persuade education chiefs to consider keeping it open.

He said he was disappointed its preferred choice of a new 11 to 19-year-olds' academy was not among the options. "I think we have accepted Sneyd as Sneyd is going to close," he said.

Shadow council leader, Councillor Tim Oliver said: "The way it has been done has raised the hopes of parents and pupils that have now been dashed."