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Alternative education provided for some pupils from Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School and Haworth Street, Oswaldtwistle

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Pupils in Years 7 and 8 from Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School will be taught at Hameldon Community College from Wednesday 31 October.

Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School on Haworth Street, Oswaldtwistle, is currently partially closed for necessary remedial work to be carried out.

Pupils from Rhyddings School will be totally self-contained within part of the Hameldon Community College building. They will also be taught by their usual teachers from Rhyddings School.

A decision was taken earlier this year to close Hameldon Community College in 2019, which means that there is some spare capacity available as a phased closure is currently in place.

Alternative education arrangements have been able to be put in place quickly for Years 7 and 8 as they work to the same school timetable. It has also always been the intention to make sure that provision was made as a priority for those pupils who will take their GCSE’s next, and for the youngest children.

The normal curriculum will be offered for pupils who are being temporarily educated at Hameldon Community College. Pastoral and other staff teaching pupils with any special needs will also be available.

Arrangements have been put in place to transport 222 pupils from Rhyddings School to Hameldon Community College at 8.45am. This is the time that students are normally expected to arrive at school for the start of the day.

Pupils will leave Hameldon Community College just after 2.30pm to return back to Rhyddings School. Pupils will be picked up and dropped off on Haworth Street.

School lunches will be available at Hameldon Community College for all pupils. Pupils can also take their own packed lunch to school.

A phased return to school for other pupils is currently being considered.

Only pupils who are in Year 11 are being educated at the school at the moment.

The temporary closure is in place so that the frames of two of the school buildings can be strengthened. The problem was noticed during some ongoing planned maintenance work.

The building frames that need attention are in the east and west four-storey blocks, which house many of the classrooms and dining facilities.

The decision has been taken not to use the two buildings at all whilst work is ongoing, as the safety of pupils and staff is paramount.

County Councillor Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “We are doing all we can to get pupils back to school as soon as possible.

“Using Hameldon Community College to teach pupils from two year-groups is a practical solution.

“Pupils who are usually educated at Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School will be located together in one part of the college, and taught by their usual teachers.

“We are doing our best to keep any disruption to a minimum whilst the repair work happens. We are also working with the contractor to make sure that the work is completed as soon as possible, so that all pupils can return to school.

“We will continue to keep people updated about this situation.”

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