The changes, which will see two schools amalgamate and two others work more closely together in partnership, were agreed at a meeting of the Council's Lead Members for Children's Services. They followed several weeks of consultation on the proposals.
The proposals given the green light include the amalgamation of Hampden Park Infant School and Highfield Junior School to create a new all-through primary school.
However, proposals to amalgamate Roselands Infants School and Stafford Junior School have been revised following widespread opposition from parents. Instead the Council is now proposing that a better working partnership is created between the two schools.
In each case the infant school is already a feeder school to the junior school.
Councillor David Elkin, the council's Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness said: “The underlying aim here is to raise standards for students. In the case of Hampden Park and Highfield we believe creating a new all-through primary will benefit all pupils.
“Hampden Park is already a feeder school for Highfield and we believe creating one school with single leadership and management will provide better continuity of learning for pupils and will help achieve higher standards.”
Similar proposals for Roselands and Stafford had been amended, he added, following concerns expressed by parents. “We still believe that pupils would benefit from the schools working in partnership and that's something parents support. However, they were very firmly against a formal amalgamation and we have listened to those views. A partnership plan will be drawn up to ensure the schools collaborate closely for the benefit of pupils.”
The new all-through primary school to be created by the amalgamation of Hampden Park and Highfield would open in the academic year 2010–11.
The new school will be renamed but will continue to operate on the existing separate sites. However plans are being developed to bring all of the children on to one site at Highfield, if Government funding through the Primary Capital Programme is agreed.
Further information
In respect of Hampden Park and Highfield, following the feedback from the consultation, the County Council will now apply to the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) for exemption from competition, meaning the Council can establish the new school itself. If permission is granted, the Council plans to publish statutory notices in May to close the existing schools and open the new school. There will follow a six week representation period, after which the council will apply to the independent School Adjudicator for a final decision.
Reference:
2754
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