Shropshire Council make decisions on schools

The six-week statutory consultation period of representations follows consultation which has taken place on an unprecedented scale to look at the future of education in the county. This began with the development of a new education vision and school organisation policy as recommended by an Independent Policy Commission, chaired by Neil Kinghan.

During the meeting it was decided that Maesbury Primary School, Barrow, Hopton Wafers and Ifton Heath Primary School would close.

The age range of Buntingsdale Infant School in Tern Hill, Market Drayton is to be extended.

Shawbury Primary School is also to be closed to create a single primary school for the village. Further work taking place with Shawbury primary and St Mary’s primary will decide on the site of the consolidated school.

A parent governor from Shawbury Primary said there was a consensus that a single school is the best option in the village for resources and cohesion.

Councillor Keith Barrow said he was confident the schools and community in Shawbury would reach the right decision on the site of the new school.

Ifton Heath Primary School will also close with the age range of Rhyn Park School and Performing Arts College extended to include the primary age range.

Stiperstones Primary is also to be given the opportunity to progress proposals for federation. This will allow it to explore plans to form a federation with Chirbury Primary School.

On 4 May, Cabinet also deferred decisions to proceed to statutory consultation on proposals to close Onny and Lydbury North primary schools so that they could put together a business case for federation. Today Cabinet agreed not to proceed to statutory consultation but to give them the opportunity to progress their proposal for federation.

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Cabinet member for schools, said:

“We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone affected by the decision to close a school.

“These decisions have not been taken lightly, however they have been made in the best interests of all pupils in Shropshire.

“We have worked alongside schools and their communities for more than a year to look at the challenges facing our schools and ways to address these – and we have only taken the decision to close schools where all other options have been exhausted.

“We will continue to work closely with these schools, parents, pupils and their wider communities over the next twelve months to support them in ensuring there is as little disruption as possible.

“I would also like to thank those not directly affected for the support they have provided, and continue to offer, to schools which are part of this process.”

Councillor Caesar-Homden added that she would like to acknowledge the efforts of Onny, Lydbury North and Stiperstones schools which had worked hard to come forward with business plans for federation.

“From the beginning, schools and their communities have been invited to bring forward their own solutions and this is what they have done. We will continue to monitor the progression of these plans and provide assistance where needed,” she said.

The public notice relating to Wakeman School and Arts College in Shrewsbury has been re-published, initiating another six-week statutory consultation period, which takes place until 12 August 2011. During this time people are invited to submit representations in favour of, or opposing the proposal to close this school. The results of statutory consultation and the decision on whether to proceed with this proposal will go to a Cabinet meeting on 7 September 2011.

Barrow, Hopton Wafers, Maesbury and Shawbury primary schools will close in August 2012.