Wakeman School loses appeal against closure

Shrewsbury's Wakeman school has lost an appeal against its closure made to the schools adjudicator and will shut its doors as planned in August 2013.

Headteacher Karen Moore said the decision by the schools adjudicator Canon Richard Lindley marked the end of the school's fight to remain open.

She said she was disappointed with the outcome of the appeal, which can now only be challenged by a judicial review.

Canon Lindley had been brought in following a rare move by the Diocese of Lichfield to ask for a review of Shropshire Council's decision to close the school, using its rights as one of the consultees.

But in a report sent to the school and Shropshire Council, Canon Lindley backed the authority's decision to close the school in August 2013.

He claimed the council's financial argument for closing the school was 'incontrovertible'.

David Taylor, Shropshire Council's director of people's services, said the decision vindicated the authority's move to close the Wakeman.

"The announcement reflects that the decision to close the Wakeman School and Arts College, while extremely difficult to make, is the right decision for the future of education in Shropshire," he said.

Mrs Moore said: "We have explored every option including academy and free school status."

She added: "It has been decided that to continue our fight would be detrimental to the welfare of our students."