At its recent board meeting held on Tuesday 25th January the Minerva Learning Trust took the decision to withdraw from the project to deliver a new Post 16 Hub as part of the Town’s Fund bid.
A new Post 16 provision was part of the education and skills output with a vision to focus on technology and engineering in a bespoke space at Stocksbridge High School, delivered through capital investment from the Town’s Fund.
The Minerva Learning Trust Board has contacted the Town’s Fund Board to withdraw from the project due to concerns about pupil numbers in the chosen subjects and the long-term costs of staffing and delivering a sustainable facility in the town.
Whilst the board is disappointed in this decision enhancing education and skills opportunities in Stocksbridge remains a key output of the Town’s Fund investment. The board is committed to working with adult education partners to deliver learning opportunities in the new Manchester Road Crossover Hub and looks forward to sharing further details in the coming weeks.
Further local consultation on the updated plans for Manchester Road is expected to take place in March and more details will be announced shortly.