Council cancels decision to close Culverhay School in Bath

The decision to close a boys school in Bath has been officially cancelled by the council.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (Banes) had approved the closure of Culverhay School for the end of the academic year.

But following a review it has cancelled the decision. The government will now consider whether to approve bids for it to become an academy or free school.

One councillor described the move as "fantastic news".

'Family of schools'

Head teacher Richard Thomson said: "We want the youngsters to have absolutely the best educational provision that's available.

"I'm clear in my mind, Culverhay needs to be a sponsored academy."

He said his aim was to "work as part of a network or family of schools".

As part of the decision, Banes will provide £700,000 to help adapt the buildings as it becomes co-educational.

Dinah Romero, councillor for Southdown, described the news as "fantastic" and added: "I think a free school and academy are both very similar in operation, so whatever decision is eventually taken it will still be a great school."

She added that at the recent open evening 70 parents had shown an interest in sending their children to the school in 2012, compared to 20 who enrolled in the school this year when it was operating at half-capacity.