Plans unveiled to create school for up to 700 pupils at Blackburn Cathedral - but it could have ‘devastating’ effect

The school would provide education from reception age to 16 years old, and offer specialisms in music and maths, according to Cathedral Canon Chancellor Dr Ian Stockton.

But the National Union of Teachers said the development could have a ‘devastating’ effect on surrounding schools, with some facing closure because the town already has a surplus of school places.

Dr Stockton however said it was hoped the intake would come from across East Lancashire, and not just Blackburn.

He said: “The scheme looks to develop an exciting model of education which would strengthen the cathedrals’ music education and its outreach, not only to the town, but to a wider catchment area.

“We have been looking at this possibility for several years in conjunction with a local school, but a building has become vacant on the cathedral site so the possibility is now ripe for exploration.

“It aims to enrich the presence of Christian schools and is part of a wider initiative for cathedral towns and cities.

“With this school the cathedral will be able to recruit choristers for the choirs as well as providing a high standard of education for those with musical ability as well as other pupils.

“We want to encourage excellent education and offer something special and different, but by doing that we do not want to diminish other schools.”

Dr Stockton said that while the plans were at an exploratory stage a formal proposal would be made later in the year.

It s understood the school would aim to take a gradual intake with just year seven and reception attending initially in the first year.

The proposed base would be at Church House, next to the cathedral, which until now has been used to provide accommodation for the clergy, music department and administrative staff.

Staff will soon move into apartments and offices in the new Cathedral Court development.

The cathedral said it has prepared a draft application to the New Schools Network for initial funding to develop the scheme.

The project is also being developed in partnership with the Cathedrals’ Association for Academies and Free Faith Schools, which was initiated by Frank Field MP to strengthen Christian presence in education in cathedrals.

The school will join Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn as a ‘free school’, a type of school that is free from local authority control and can be set up by groups such as charities, teachers, businesses and faith groups.

Simon Jones, National Union of Teachers North West representative, said he feared the introduction of another school in Blackburn, which already has a surplus of places, could push other institutions to the point of closure.

He said: “We think it will have a devastating effect on a number of schools locally, possibly forcing some primary schools and maybe a secondary school into closure.

“We are not short of schools places in Blackburn and to add extra places is bound to have a negative effect.

“When QEGS became a free school several hundred kids were affected and I think if this goes ahead, Blackburn Central High School, St Wilfrid’s and others could be in real trouble.”

Xavier Bowers, headteacher at Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington, said: “It’s going to be a very controversial plan and there is not a need for places in Blackburn.

“When QEGS became a free school it didn’t go down well and I think this may get the same reaction.”

Richard Jones, headteacher at St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, said he was not concerned about the plans providing that the school offered quality education.

He said: “If the school offers a good education to its pupils and if Blackburn is in need of a free school then I don’t see why this should not be allowed to go ahead.”

Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “I am more in favour of locally run education but to be honest we have got to be quite radical in our thinking in East Lancashire and focus more on what works than what we would like and I think that if free schools are the way forward then we should be developing them.”