New Catholic School Consultation On Cabinet’s Agenda

Members of Denbighshire’s Cabinet will be asked to approve a formal consultation on proposals to create a brand new £23.8 million Catholic school in Rhyl, to replace the existing provision in the town. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This follows the agreement between the Diocese of Wrexham and Denbighshire County Council to progress an exciting new proposal – the proposed development of a brand new 3-16 Catholic school in the town of Rhyl. This would be progressed as part of the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme to be delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The proposal being put forward is for a brand new 3-16 Catholic School to replace Ysgol Mair/ St. Marys Catholic Primary and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School on the same site and open on 1st September 2019. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If Cabinet agreed to consult on the plans, the formal consultation would take place from 14th February until 27th March 2017 and a report outlining the findings would presented to Cabinet before the summer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Diocese of Wrexham has confirmed its support to the project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Eryl Williams, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Education said, “There have been very positive discussions with the Diocese of Wrexham and the schools to deliver this exciting project that would transform Catholic education for pupils in the Rhyl area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Whilst all parties involved are fully supportive of the proposal, the next step is to obtain Cabinet’s approval to consult on the proposal”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Bishop of Wrexham, the Rt. Rev’d Peter M. Brignall said, “After the disappointment that a joint Catholic/Anglican church school in north Denbighshire was not achievable, but with gratitude to all who worked on that project; I am delighted for what this new and exciting proposed venture would provide for those families wanting Catholic education and for the greater community that recognises its significant value in and to our society.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chair of Governors at Ysgol Mair, Gill Greenland said, “We welcome this wonderful and innovative opportunity for our children offering a common and nurturing ethos for all.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chair of Governors at Blessed Edward Jones, Matthew Curtis said, “I look forward to leading our school community through this exciting time. We will also do all we can to help shape the development of this project.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet will be meeting at County Hall, Ruthin on Tuesday, January 24th at 10am. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​