County Council committee approve closure report for secondary school in Mablethorpe

The real work to secure secondary education in Mablethorpe for future generations to come now begins.

But all is not lost for the continuation of secondary education in the coastal town for future generations.

The children and young people scrutiny committee met on Friday (January 15) and approved the report on Monks’ Dyke Tennyson College - this would result in the school closing this year.

Although also during the committee meeting, members did agree to keep the site open for a year to enable finding other opportunities for the site.

Debbie Barnes, director of Children’s Services, said: “The committee approved to retain the site for 12 months to allow time to explore further opportunities for alternative education provision.

“This followed the formal consultation process during which people were invited to contribute their views and feedback.

“It was recognised that the decision for governors to consult on closure was a difficult one, but is based on a background of falling pupil numbers and stringent financial constraint.

“And above all, the need to provide pupils with a high quality education.”

But now the real fight to keep the prospect of secondary education alive in Mablethorpe begins.

The Save Tennyson, Save Our Town Steering Group believe this is not the end.

Campaigner Chris Flanagan commented: “This is not the end at all. On the contrary – this decision gives a clear direction for the campaign in the future.”

Fellow group campaigner Paddy Prince said: “It was a really sad day because we know now that the school will close.

“However we can now focus our efforts totally on developing a better offer for the town and we have the guarantee that the council will not dispose of the site immediately.

“That fact will be very helpful in the conversations we are having.”

The group are now in the process of setting up a new website to be able to keep residents up to date with the latest plans they are wanting to put in motion for the future,

One of the main proposals that the steering group has been working on is the prospect of bringing a ‘Stage School’ into the town for 14-19 year-olds to work alongside an 11-14 year-old free school.

Ms Barnes said that the final decision on the school closure will be made by Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive member for children’s services, by the end of this month.