Consultation on the future of Shropshire schools launched

On February 8, Shropshire Council announced proposals to close nine schools and federate another twenty in Shropshire. At a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on 15 February, the consultation on the proposals was approved. The consultation will last for six term-time weeks, in accordance with Government guidelines.

As part of this consultation parents and the wider school communities are being asked for their solutions to the problems that these schools are facing.

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.

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We want to listen to people’s views about these proposals and that’s why we are launching a six-week consultation. I am really keen to hear some alternative and viable long-term solutions to the issues that we are facing.

“I want to stress that these proposals are not simply about closing schools, this is about providing solutions for the long term that aim to provide excellent education for years to come. No decisions have been made on the future of these schools, but I must make it clear that no change is not an option. We need to address issues such as falling pupil numbers, decreasing funding and the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff.

"I encourage everyone to get involved and let us have their views and ideas about these proposals; they can email, write, or attend one of the public consultation meetings that have been set up to discuss each proposal.

“We will also be working with a wider group of schools and governing bodies to encourage the work on federations which were put forward in the proposals, and I hope that this work continues to progress well.”

This is the latest round in an extensive process of consultation looking at the future of education in Shropshire.

In recent months consultation has taken place to give schools, their communities and partners the opportunity to look further at the challenges in their local areas and to consider possible solutions. They have discussed a variety of possible ways in which to move towards improved and more efficient education in the county. These area meetings have included chairs of governors, headteachers, diocesan directors of education and elected councillors because they know their own areas and the challenges best.

Taking Part in the Consultation
To take part in the consultation visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/educationforshropshire or call 0345 678 9008. You can also write to Education for Shropshire, The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ.

Public meetings are also being held for each school involved.