Panel to examine closure of Bath's Culverhay school

Culverhay School is due to close to new admissions in 2012

A council scrutiny panel is to reconsider a decision to close Culverhay School in Bath.

The boys' school is to close to further admissions to Year 7 from September 2012 as part of a reorganisation of education in the city.

The council voted to close Culverhay but the final decision rested with Conservative councillor Chris Watt.

His decision will now be examined by the panel after 18 councillors expressed concerns.

The panels has the power to ratify the decision, ask that it be reconsidered or refer the matter to full council.

The decision to close Culverhay was backed by the scrutiny panel in December 2010 but it has been referred to it again.

The school, which is currently about half full, had considered introducing girls in a bid to remain open.

Alternatives included a co-educational academy in partnership with Bath Spa University or reducing admission numbers at other schools in Bath to boost Culverhay.

But these were all rejected by the council's ruling Conservative administration.

Mr Watt then made the final decision to close the school following a statutory period of notice.

The council said closing Culverhay would allow the authority to reinvest £1.75m in supporting other schools.

The scrutiny panel meeting will take place on 21 March.