Two into one will go, say leaders of latest countyschoolmerger

9:16am Tuesday 10th June 2008

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WHEN the proposal to merge Northwick Manor infant and junior school was first mentioned last year, a flurry of panic engulfed many parents. Would such a large school be able to offer their children the same standard of education they were getting in the separate schools?

Both the infant and junior schools were performing well in the eyes of education watchdog Ofsted and, as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

But it was Worcestershire County Council's policy that when a headteacher of a junior or infant school retired, it would look to reorganise schools into single primary schools.

Now the plans are in full swing and the two schools, Worcester's last remaining infant and junior schools, will close next month and re-open in September as Northwick Manor Primary School.

"This is a really exciting time," said Chris Hutchinson, chairman of the temporary governing body. "There was some opposition to the merger when it was first announced but with all the hard work being put in we will ensure this is a great school, just as the individual schools are now."

Sian Williams, current headteacher at Lyppard Grange Primary School in Worcester, has been appointed the new headteacher of the amalgamated school.

"I am so delighted to have been appointed to the role," she said. "It is just the kind of challenge I was looking for. I have been at Lyppard Grange for 10 years and I love it, but I am keen to take on a bigger challenge. And this is a great challenge; not only is it a bigger school but there is also the challenge of the merger."

Miss Williams, a keen Worcester Warriors fan, who hails from Wales, said the future plans for the school included a number of building improvements, plus the introduction of a new school uniform, something which has caused some contention with parents.

"We held a consultation with parents and pupils to see what they wanted for the new uniform," Miss Williams said. "Parents obviously were concerned about additional costs, so in order to reduce that we are giving every child one free sweatshirt.

"If the children had had their way they would be coming to school in Harry Potter capes."

Miss Williams added: "We wanted to retain elements of both schools' uniforms, so what we have decided upon is navy sweatshirts with the gold school logo, yellow polo tops and grey trousers or skirts. In the summer girls can revert to blue check dresses, and the boys will just wear their polo tops with trousers or shorts."

The school will be allowing a 12-month grace period, where pupils can continue to wear the uniform of either the infant or junior school.

Parents with children preparing to start school this September will be able to purchase the new uniform from now.

The amalgamated school will accommodate 630 pupils - thought to be the biggest primary school in the county. Though the infant and primary schools are next to each other, some building works will have to take place to blend the two together.

Mr Hutchinson said: "Work will start in the summer holidays on a new entrance, which will be at the site of the current junior school entrance.

"Then there will be a new administration block and re-organisation of the classrooms. The local authority has allocated £1 million over the next three years to pay for the building improvements.

"In the long term we will have a new classroom block built and we are working with architects now on the plans."

The new primary school will also accommodate 70 members of staff.

"There have been no redundancies with the merger of the schools," Miss Williams said. "All the teachers have been accommodated, and this offers them a great chance for career progression."

She added: "We will be having some team-building days in the coming weeks and months, so that everyone has the chance to get to know each other better."

The aim of the temporary governing body and the headteacher is to ensure the merger is as seamless and unnoticeable to the pupils as possible.

"Of course the children will notice that they are all together and the physical changes, such as their uniform and the building works, but we don't want them to see any other difference," Mr Hutchinson said. "We don't want the pupils to feel any disturbance."

The school is hosting an open evening on Thursday, June 19, from 3.30pm to 6pm when parents and guests are invited to drop in, speak to the headteacher and governors and view the new uniforms.