Takeover means the end for Macclesfield High

Plans for Macclesfield High to be swallowed up by another secondary could mark the end for the school.

Governors at Macclesfield High and Tytherington High have voted to bring the two together to get rid of empty desks.

School officials voted unanimously to combine the under-subscribed, pioneering Park Lane site with Tytherington to provide better secondary services for students and tackle surplus places at Macclesfield High.

The new school would be called Tytherington High School.

Under the proposals, which were announced to parents in a letter on Monday (June 14), Tytherington will become one large split-campus school, with lower school studying at the Manchester Road campus, and all upper school lessons taking place within the Learning Zone.

By 2012 the number of students attending the town’s four high schools is expected to fall to 4,100, compared with 5,000 in 2002.

And if no action is taken, students at Macclesfield High, which got a ‘notice to improve’ at its last Ofsted inspection, are expected to fill less than two thirds of the classroom by 2012.

Andy Robinson, head teacher of Tytherington High and consultant head at Macclesfield, said: "The proposals present a unique and very exciting opportunity to provide our students with an exceptional education experience, retaining the very best of our current provision while maximising the potential these proposals present.

"The £38million Learning Zone campus offers the opportunity to create a 14–19 curriculum and learning experience that is second to none."

Martin Smith, chair of governors at Tytherington added: "This has the full support of the Macclesfield High School Governing Body and Cheshire East Council.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity which we must firmly grasp with both hands."

Tytherington Councillor Bill Livesley is urging all parents and staff to speak up during the consultation.

He said: "Macclesfield High School is one of the worst in Cheshire and I just hope this isn’t a knee jerk reaction for a quick fix.

"The children’s education is paramount, and this consultation is the opportunity for everyone to have their say."

But with some parents, governors and officials may have a battle on their hands.

Paul Bailey, who has a son in year eight at Tytherington High School, said: "My first reaction to the proposal to merge Tytherington High and Macclesfield High is one of horror.

"I find it hard to believe that whatever arguments are put forward none will persuade me that this is nothing but a very bad proposal.

"What I can’t believe is that after building a new school, at great expense to the tax payer, it now seems the town has too much pupil capacity."

Matthew Harrison, of Clare Drive, Tytherington, has criticised the late hour of the announcement, having only been told with other parents of pupils at Marlborough Primary School by letter on Monday.

"I am not happy either with the process or what potentially could be happening," he said.

"My son is going up to Tytherington High from Marlborough in September. It would have impacted the decisions we made going through the admissions process earlier in the year.

"We would probably have chosen differently. There has been a lack of information. Macclesfield High’s performance has been well below average and Tytherington is proving very, very good. I can’t imagine they can keep the quality across two sites.

"Although Macclesfield High School might be a safe environment, outside the grounds it isn’t so good."

But Kevin Harrison, acting head teacher at Macclesfield High School, has described the takeover as a ‘great opportunity’.

He said: "I am confident that the proposals will not only secure the education of Macclesfield students currently on the Learning Zone site but also will provide excellent opportunities for future generations of children in the town,

"We support the proposal to expand Tytherington High School on to two sites since it will significantly increase opportunities for learners in the town and utilise the first class educational facilities on the Macclesfield Learning Zone."

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, needs to give the proposals the official go ahead before a public consultation begins.

This decision is expected to be made by Monday, June 21.

She said: "The governors of Macclesfield and Tytherington schools recognise the need for change and have requested we work with them to explore this proposal.

"It is essential that parents, pupils, staff and governors take advantage of the consultation to give us their opinions."

School reports:

Published admission figure for Sept 2010: