East Sussex County Council wants to amalgamate Hampden Park Infants (ages 4 to 7) and Highfield Junior (ages 7 to 11) to create a new all-through primary school and the final decision had rested with the Government's Office of the School Adjudicator.
Now the adjudicator has approved the creation of the new primary school subject to planning permission. The proposals are backed by both schools and a large majority of people signalled their support for the plans in the consultations the Council carried out among parents and the wider community.
Initially all pupils from both schools will be able to be accommodated on the Highfield site from day one following improvements to learning areas both indoors and outside. By 2014/15 the school will operate at full capacity for which a small extension of three classrooms will be required. The intention is for the new school to open in September 2011 under a new name.
The adjudicator has agreed these proposals on the condition that planning permissions are achieved by the end of the academic year for the improvement works needed at Highfield.
Cllr Nick Bennett, the County Council's Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness said a close relationship already existed between the two schools and Hampden Park was already a feeder school for Highfield. He added: “This is very good news indeed. These proposals are about strengthening the links that have always existed between the two schools to create a new single primary school. I am delighted the schools adjudicator has given us the green light to get on with making that happen.”
Cllr Bennett said the new primary school would mean all pupils would benefit from single management, leadership and curriculum will provide better continuity for pupils and will help achieve higher standards.
Reference:
3230
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