The news comes after angry parents hijacked a meeting on Wednesday night at Vale of Berkeley College near Stroud, which also faces closure under recommendations from government consultant Graham Badman.
In a letter to the Diocese of Gloucester Board of Education, the Reverend David Smith, Chapter Clerk of the Clergy Chapter of the Gloucester City Deanery, said: "Following recent public announcements, clergy of Gloucester City Deanery are deeply disturbed by the proposals to close or merge Bishops' College. In 2006, the Diocese, with the local authority, made a commitment of at least five years to students, staff, and governors of Bishops' College.
"Closure or absorption into a new academy, before a single cohort of students has completed their secondary education entirely at Bishops' College, demonstrates publicly the Church's lack of commitment to the most vulnerable."
He added his concerns over the effect the proposals would have on pupils.
"If closure or merger proceeds, the current Year 10 students will be further unsettled and disadvantaged at a crucial moment of their secondary education, and their life opportunities will be limited yet further," he said.
The letter also included names of the 21 priests who had "asked particularly for their names to be associated with the above submission".
The Badman proposals are supposed to bring Gloucestershire's schools into line with the government's National Challenge, which aims to get 30 per cent of pupils achieving five GCSE passes.
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Michael Perham said: "We need to be proud of what Bishops' College has achieved since its opening in 2006, especially in establishing a Christian ethos which has supported student wellbeing and pastoral care in the school.
"This summer's results show a clear sign of improvement and we deeply regret that the future of the college has been put under threat by the latest government targets. The diocese is committed to improving the learning outcomes for all young people in Bishops' College and Gloucester city, which might include the provision of an academy."
Parents
He added that the Diocese intends to continue the role of the Anglican Church in any future proposals, ensuring parents retain the right to choose a Church of England school.
He added: "However, the Diocesan Board of Education, which works alongside all Church of England schools in the diocese, believes the proposed time scales for any restructuring of education provision in the city are totally unrealistic and do not serve the best interests of the Bishops' College community.
"The DBE urges the local authority and the secretary of state to reconsider the time scales as a matter of urgency.
"We share the upset and concern generated by these proposals amongst Bishops' College and the wider community. We want to reassure everyone that the diocese is working hard to ensure the best outcome for young people in Gloucester."Priests have stepped into the row over proposals to close Gloucester's only Church of England secondary school.
Twenty one of them have personally hit out at proposals which could see Bishops' College, in Longlevens, close its doors next year.
NEWS BY:http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
In a letter to the Diocese of Gloucester Board of Education, the Reverend David Smith, Chapter Clerk of the Clergy Chapter of the Gloucester City Deanery, said: "Following recent public announcements, clergy of Gloucester City Deanery are deeply disturbed by the proposals to close or merge Bishops' College. In 2006, the Diocese, with the local authority, made a commitment of at least five years to students, staff, and governors of Bishops' College.
"Closure or absorption into a new academy, before a single cohort of students has completed their secondary education entirely at Bishops' College, demonstrates publicly the Church's lack of commitment to the most vulnerable."
He added his concerns over the effect the proposals would have on pupils.
"If closure or merger proceeds, the current Year 10 students will be further unsettled and disadvantaged at a crucial moment of their secondary education, and their life opportunities will be limited yet further," he said.
The letter also included names of the 21 priests who had "asked particularly for their names to be associated with the above submission".
The Badman proposals are supposed to bring Gloucestershire's schools into line with the government's National Challenge, which aims to get 30 per cent of pupils achieving five GCSE passes.
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Reverend Michael Perham said: "We need to be proud of what Bishops' College has achieved since its opening in 2006, especially in establishing a Christian ethos which has supported student wellbeing and pastoral care in the school.
"This summer's results show a clear sign of improvement and we deeply regret that the future of the college has been put under threat by the latest government targets. The diocese is committed to improving the learning outcomes for all young people in Bishops' College and Gloucester city, which might include the provision of an academy."
Parents
He added that the Diocese intends to continue the role of the Anglican Church in any future proposals, ensuring parents retain the right to choose a Church of England school.
He added: "However, the Diocesan Board of Education, which works alongside all Church of England schools in the diocese, believes the proposed time scales for any restructuring of education provision in the city are totally unrealistic and do not serve the best interests of the Bishops' College community.
"The DBE urges the local authority and the secretary of state to reconsider the time scales as a matter of urgency.
"We share the upset and concern generated by these proposals amongst Bishops' College and the wider community. We want to reassure everyone that the diocese is working hard to ensure the best outcome for young people in Gloucester."Priests have stepped into the row over proposals to close Gloucester's only Church of England secondary school.
Twenty one of them have personally hit out at proposals which could see Bishops' College, in Longlevens, close its doors next year.
NEWS BY:http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
