The principal of Christ the King College, Pat Goodhead, has today (Thursday) wrote to parents to reassure them about the future of the school’s sixth form provision.
Island Echo exclusively revealed on Monday that the Carisbrooke-based college owes more than £800,000 for the hire of the sixth form buildings. On 22nd November a letter was sent to Mrs Goodhead and the Governing Body demanding payment, but it is understood that the money has still not been paid – despite being due on 5th September.
This week a ping-pong style battle between the College and the Isle of Wight Council has been played out in public with the release of several statements. However, Christ the King College are still yet to comment on when and how the £808,797 bill will be paid.
If the amount is not paid then the hire contract will be terminated resulting in an overall charge of around £7.7million – plus the buildings would be removed.
Councillor Dave Stewart, the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council said on Tuesday that the Council will not advance any further money to Christ the King.
In her letter today, Mrs Goodhead said:
“I am writing on behalf of the Governing Body of Christ the King College with regard to the recent publicity surrounding the payment of the lease hire on our Sixth Form building and the ensuring speculation about our Sixth Form.
“Governors and I would firstly like to thank our parent community for the messages of support, offer of help and practical suggestions that have come into the College since Monday evening’s article in the Island Echo. I often refer to the distinctive strength and ongoing support of our Christ the King community and, during a week like this, to be reminded of so many supportive families behind us has meant a great to us all.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Governing Body also want to reassure our parents and students that there are absolutely no plans to relinquish our thriving and successful Sixth Form. Once again, it seems that there are discussions taking place about one Island Sixth form and this, compounded by the ongoing dispute as to whose responsibility it should be to make the payments for the Christ the King College Sixth Form building, has inevitably led to speculation, unrest and rumour. We want to make it clear that Christ the King College was established as an 11-18 Church Secondary School to provide a distinctive choice for Island families and this was always to include a Sixth Form faith based provision. Our total commitment is to ensure that this continues for current and future generations.
“Parents and students who have been part of this journey to create our College, and those parents and students who have joined us more recently, will know that our prime purpose has always been, and will continue to be, to provide the very best education that we can for the 11-18 age range of our Island children who wish to benefit from the education we provide. If there is a future ambition from the Isle of Wight Council to move towards the centralisation of Sixth Form provision on the Island, the College will absolutely fight for the survival of our Sixth Form and we hope that we can count on your active support.
“I hope this gives you the reassurance and security that you understandably need for your children and, as so many Christ the King College events over the years have demonstrated, I know that we can continue to count on your support. Governors have also asked if there are parents who have further questions, or can offer help in any at all at this time, to not to hesitate to contact the College via my PA, Miss Gemma Long”.
