Herefordshire Council's Cabinet has given the go-ahead for Wyebridge Sports College to formally close on 31 August 2008 in order to meet government requirements and allow a new Wyebridge Academy to open in September 2008.
A statutory notice was published in the local press in March, which was also displayed at Wyebridge Sports College, its feeder primary schools and local shops and a number of consultative meetings were held with parents, the local community and statutory consultees.
Cabinet members considered objections received from the Marches Secularists, and concerns expressed by Hereford Sixth Form College over the creation of a small sixth form at Wyebridge. Members agreed that withdrawing support for the academy proposal would jeopardise the achievements that Weybridge Sports College had made in recent years and leave the future of high school provision n the South Wye uncertain.
The Academy Trust sponsored by Hereford Diocese will take over the management of the Academy on September 1 2008, although it will still serve the same area as it has done in the past.
The local authority will be responsible for building a new school and initial plans are currently being discussed with potential contractors. It is hoped to appoint a preferred contractor in December 2008 and is anticipated the new school building will be completed by 2011.