COUNCIL bosses say there is no alternative site to the proposed academy hub on Portland.
The inquiry into the proposal by Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy (IPACA) to site its main campus at Southwell Business Park was told that doing nothing was not good enough.
Jacqueline Groves, head of school organisation and also senior manager for early years and educational improvement for Dorset County Council, said there were simply no alternative suitable sites.
She said studies into an earlier proposed quarry site at Grove Corner found it to be unaffordable.
Miss Groves said there was ‘no risk to safeguarding’ at the Southwell site.
Asked by Matthew Reed, representing IPACA, what the consequence to the educational provision if the school didn’t go ahead, Miss Groves said they would continue in the current schools.
She said: “The issue will be that the status quo will not be good enough.”
Miss Groves said that the Department for Education national standards was that secondary children could get to school within one hour and 45 minutes, while it was less for primary students.
The inquiry continues.
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