Unity Schools Partnership has launched a consultation into reorganising four schools in Bury St Edmunds and creating a primary school and secondary school with admission arrangements in the same way as the other schools in the town.
Under the plans, provision at Tollgate Primary School and County Upper School would be extended and Horringer Court Middle School and Westley Middle School would close in August 2023.
A public consultation into the plans has now been launched, with public meetings planned alongside meetings with staff and parents.
Tim Coulson, chief executive of Unity Schools Partnership, said: “We have been proud to work with these middle schools since they joined the trust last year.
“We understand and acknowledge that the middle school structure and three-tier system has been enjoyed and has benefitted students for a number of years.
“But the number of families choosing middle schools is diminishing – which has a knock-on effect on the type of education we can offer to students in the future.
“We believe it is the right time to convert these group of schools into a primary and secondary model and harmonise admissions at age 11 across the town and across Suffolk.
“We want to encourage our local community to share their views over the plans, whether through the various public meetings that are planned or via our consultation website.”
The consultation will run until Thursday 17th February when the Department for Education will consider the proposals along with the views expressed.
Public meetings, where attendance must be booked in advance, will also be held on Thursday 27th January at Westley Middle School, Monday 31st January at Horringer Court Middle School and Wednesday 2nd February at County Upper School.
To book a place at the public meeting, find out more about the plans or take part in the consultation, please visit http://consultationbse.unitysp.co.uk.
Public notice
STATUTORY CONSULTATION WITH PROPOSAL TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO ADMISSION AGE RANGES AT FOUR SCHOOLS IN BURY ST EDMUNDS ALONG WITH A CLOSURE PROPOSAL FOR TWO OF THE SCHOOLS.
Unity Schools Partnership has published a Statutory Consultation with Proposal to adjust ages ranges for:
- Tollgate Primary School
- County Upper School
- Westley Middle School
- Horringer Court Middle School
Along with a proposal to subsequently close:
- Westley Middle School
- Horringer Court Middle School
The Full Proposal document can be viewed and downloaded at http://consultationbse.unitysp.co.uk.
If a paper copy of the proposals or consultation survey is required, this can be requested from reception at any of the four schools.
Any person may object to, express support for, or make comments on the proposal by submitting views on the consultation website above.
The consultation begins on 5th January 2022 and ends on the 17th February 2022.
Tim Coulson
CEO Unity Schools Partnership