Executive considers amalgamation of two Wokingham schools
Proposals to bring two schools in Wokingham together will be a step closer this month (September) if Wokingham Borough Council gives the green light to the amalgamation of Whitelocke Infant and Nursery and Palmer Junior schools.
Back in June, the council’s decision-making executive agreed to consult on the proposal to close the two schools and create a new voluntary-aided primary school. The proposal and consultation were made jointly with the Oxford Diocese.
And at its meeting on September 27, the Wokingham executive will consider the results of the initial stage of consultation. During this consultation period a public meeting was held in July and meetings were also held with members of staff from both schools.
The majority of the responses made during this period were in support of the proposals. If the executive gives the green light, a further six-week statutory consultation period will now follow to allow Wokingham parents and local people to comment further on the proposals. Statutory proposals on the move would be formally published in the local press in October.
A final decision on the amalgamation would then be taken by the executive in November 2007. If the proposals are agreed, pupils could be benefiting from the amalgamated school by September 2008.
An all-through Wokingham primary school would have a significant number of benefits for pupils, parents and staff. Developing a curriculum across the age range of three to 11 will help pupils to make a smooth transition from key stage 1 (infant) to key stage 2 (junior). It would also be easier for the school to develop a more coherent curriculum in a single school and, by using consistent forms of assessment, to better identify pupils’ needs and measure their progress.
Further opportunities for staff would be created for career and professional development, leading to improved recruitment and retention of staff as well as the opportunity to develop their professional experience and share their expertise across the full primary age range.
Back in June, the council’s decision-making executive agreed to consult on the proposal to close the two schools and create a new voluntary-aided primary school. The proposal and consultation were made jointly with the Oxford Diocese.
And at its meeting on September 27, the Wokingham executive will consider the results of the initial stage of consultation. During this consultation period a public meeting was held in July and meetings were also held with members of staff from both schools.
The majority of the responses made during this period were in support of the proposals. If the executive gives the green light, a further six-week statutory consultation period will now follow to allow Wokingham parents and local people to comment further on the proposals. Statutory proposals on the move would be formally published in the local press in October.
A final decision on the amalgamation would then be taken by the executive in November 2007. If the proposals are agreed, pupils could be benefiting from the amalgamated school by September 2008.
An all-through Wokingham primary school would have a significant number of benefits for pupils, parents and staff. Developing a curriculum across the age range of three to 11 will help pupils to make a smooth transition from key stage 1 (infant) to key stage 2 (junior). It would also be easier for the school to develop a more coherent curriculum in a single school and, by using consistent forms of assessment, to better identify pupils’ needs and measure their progress.
Further opportunities for staff would be created for career and professional development, leading to improved recruitment and retention of staff as well as the opportunity to develop their professional experience and share their expertise across the full primary age range.
Wokingham Borough Council
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