Parents from St Dominic’s Priory School have moved closer to the transfer of the school to a new charitable trust.
A Parents’ Action Group formed when the school was threatened with closure have worked closely with lawyers to register the new trust and agree legal contracts with the current owners of the school, the English Dominican Congregation.
A formal legal agreement was signed on Thursday 14th April by representatives of both the new trust and the Congregation. The agreement allows for the change of ownership to take place on Thursday 26th May, with plans currently being developed on how the school will celebrate the handover.
From that date the school will have a new Board of Governors, four of which have been recently elected by parents and two having been appointed by the Congregation. The remaining five independent governors will be appointed shortly. The governors will work with the current headteacher, Mrs Pat Adamson and her staff, in further developing the school.
Paul Slater, an elected parent governor and one of the parents who developed the agreement with the Congregation, commented: “It is wonderful news that the Agreement has been signed. We would like to thank the Sisters of the Congregation for their generosity in making it possible for us to move the school forward in this way and for the very constructive way with which they have approached our discussions”.
Sister Pauline Burling of the Congregation added: “I welcome these developments which will lead to the continuation of this fine Dominican school. We share the desire of parents to see the school flourish and provide for the future the same exceptional education and guidance it has offered pupils for nearly a century.”
The Catholic school, which is open to all faith denominations, educates boys in the Preparatory and Junior School and girls from age two up to 18 years, and was declared “excellent” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate at the end of last year.
Headteacher Pat Adamson said: “This news reaffirms that St Dominic’s will continue to offer its exceptional education and care to both current pupils and to the region’s children in the future. We look forward to welcoming many more pupils to share our journey with us.”
