Shropshire Council looks to close nine schools and federate twenty
Shropshire Council has today announced plans to close nine schools and federate another twenty in Shropshire.
Schools set for closure before 2013 in the proposals include:
- Ifton Heath Primary School (to merge with Rhyn Park)
- Shawbury Primary School (to merge with St Mary’s on the site of Shawbury Primary School)
- Barrow C of E School, Broseley
- Hopton Wafers CE (Controlled) Primary School (pupils will be offered places at Cleobury Mortimer)
- Lydbury North CE Primary School
- Maesbury County Primary School (pupils to attend Kinnerly)
- Onny C of E Primary School (pupils to attend Stokesay School)
- Stiperstones C Of E Primary School
- Wakeman School & Arts College (pupils to attend Meole Brace School)
Twenty schools will also federate in Shropshire sharing Governors and resources.
It is hoped the closures and federation of the schools will help the council save around £1million per year.
Council Report
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “The report is asking Cabinet to agree to consult on the proposals and I want to stress that at this stage no decisions have been made about the future of education in the county.
“This has been a cross-party project, with all political parties working together to look at education in Shropshire. We all recognise the need for change and for long term solutions that will provide Shropshire children with excellent education for years to come.
“By holding 16 area meetings across the county, looking in depth at the problems schools are facing, we have listened and identified where the obvious pressures are. We have been able to work with school communities to come up with solutions that suit their surrounding area, because they know their own areas and issues best.”
The area meetings follow four months of far-reaching consultation on the vision and policy for education in Shropshire which included listening to, and taking account of, the views of young people, schools, governors, headteachers, parents and the wider community.
If Cabinet agrees to proceed, consultation on proposals for any changes will start on 28 February 2011 and will last for six term-time weeks in accordance with Government guidelines.
Reaction from Wakeman School & Arts College
Andy Rayment Chair of Governors at the Wakeman School and Arts College said: “We are extremely angry and upset by the Local Authority’s short sighted plans for the School. We strongly disagree with the proposal to close the school. The Wakeman is one of the few truly inclusive schools in the town. The school has provided a good all round education for children of all abilities and we believe that the school is uniquely placed and resourced to continue to do this well into the future. This is a ‘knee jerk’ reaction to what is a temporary dip in school numbers for the county”
Karen Moore, Headteacher of the school has commented that: “Wakeman Staff, Parents and most importantly pupils are very proud of their achievements. Many studies support the view that learners do well in small secondary schools like The Wakeman. The good work that is done on a day to day basis is often lost in published league tables which do not consider the outstanding achievements of individual pupils. The unique geographical position of the school enables us to use the local environment, a vibrant market town steeped in culture and history, as a day to day learning resource to enhance and enrich learning for our students.”
Over the past 10 years over four million pounds has been invested in the school, providing impressive facilities for Technology and ICT.
Karen Moore, Headteacher said: “Whilst we will campaign vehemently against the outlined proposals we will continue to do as we always have done and focus on delivering the highest standard of education. Our priority remains as it always has, the pupils. The Local authority also needs to put pupils first and seriously reconsider plans to close a school that is completely pupil focused.”
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