Yahoo News Two Essex schools will be merged together to form new primary
Plans are being drawn up to merge an infant's primary and junior school into a new primary school in Essex City. A consultation was held on the proposals, which would see Montgomery Infant School and Nursery and Montgomery Junior School in Colchester combined into the new primary school. Governors say combining the schools would have “significant advantages” and would “continue to drive up standards and performance.”
Essex County Council and the governors at the schools are behind the plans, which, if agreed upon, could see the new school open next April. Under the plans, Michelle Wright, who is interim headteacher at Montgomery Infants, would become headteacher of the new primary school. Bosses at the county council also say it would allow pupils to have a "consistent educational experience from nursery to Year 6 without the potential disruption of changing schools."
The county council’s consultation website says: “Essex County Council, together with the governing bodies of Montgomery Infant School and Nursery and Montgomery Junior School, is consulting on a proposal to create a single primary school, under the unified leadership of one headteacher and one governing body. Essex County Council, with the support of the governing bodies, is therefore proposing that the two schools amalgamate to form a primary school for children aged four to 11 years old with effect from April 1, 2025.
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“All parties agree that the principle of amalgamating the schools should be explored with the local community. Governors see significant advantages in combining the schools into a single primary school under the leadership of Mrs Wright to continue to drive up standards and performance.”
A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Earlier this year, we consulted with the local community about our proposals to merge Montgomery Infant and Junior Schools. The proposals allow pupils to have a consistent educational experience from nursery to Year 6 without the potential disruption of changing schools between Year 2 and Year 3. We are working through the next steps and will be able to update residents soon on progress.”
