Dismay as opening of ‘much-needed’ south Bristol secondary school delayed until 2024

Bristol South MP Karin Smyth has slammed failings that mean the opening of a “much-needed” academy has been pushed back to 2024.

Part of a multi-million investment in Knowle West, the new 900-place school will be the first secondary education provision in the neighbourhood since the closure of Merrywood School in 2000.

The Department for Education has now said the academy is not forecast to open until September 2024, with a combination of factors to blame for the delay that include “additional time to prepare a robust planning application” and further investigation of risks such as the demolition of the existing community centre.

Multi-academy trust (MAT) Oasis Community Learning, which runs eight other schools in the city, is set to operate the new school on Daventry Road and says it is still committed to ensuring the academy offers an outstanding education for local young people.

But it is not the first time such delays have impacted people in Bristol, with Oasis Temple Quarter School – which will also be run by Oasis and was supposed to open in 2018 – now delayed until at least 2024.

The situation has led Smyth to raise “deep concerns” that the government is failing families and that MATs are not being held accountable for their actions.

In a recent House of Commons debate, the MP for Bristol South said: “Parents, carers and children in Bristol South will be dismayed at this news of a delay in opening this new school, which represents another complete failure by the Department for Education and Gavin Williamson MP, the secretary of state.

“All of the factors mentioned in the department’s statement have been known for some time, this late announcement of a delay to a school due to open in less than thirteen months is a disgrace.

“Bristol City Council are now trying to sort out this mess and find temporary accommodation for 2023. Once again, local government is left carrying the burden of central government policy and implementation failures. I will be demanding an explanation from the schools minister for this monumental fiasco.”

Proposals for The Park site in Knowle West include a new academy and community centre -image courtesy of The Park

The 15-acre site on Daventry Road that is currently home to The Park was transferred to the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as part of major plans that would include a new community centre and the 900-place academy. Outline planning permission to redevelop the site was obtained last year.

In a statement issued by the Department for Education, the government confirmed the current forecast realistic year of opening for the Oasis Academy in South Bristol is now September 2024.

It said: “The revised year of opening is due to a combination of factors which include the additional time taken to prepare a robust planning application and further detailed survey and design works since the feasibility stage have informed a more realistic programme. In addition, further investigation of the key risks, such as the demolition of the existing community centre, has also informed the revised programme.”

The Department for Education is now exploring the feasibility of opening the school in temporary accommodation for 2023.

Oasis Community Learning told Bristol24/7 it is proud to be the chosen education provider for the new Oasis Academy,

A spokesperson for the trust said: “We are working closely with our partners at the Department for Education and Bristol City Council on delivering the new academy.

“The open date is dependent upon key milestones being achieved such as planning permission, demolition works of the former Merrywood School and the construction of the academy building.  The new indicative open date is forecasted to be 2024. Oasis Community Learning remains fully dedicated to ensuring the academy offers an outstanding education for local young people.”

Main photo courtesy of The Park

Read more: Plans for new secondary school and community centre in Knowle West

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