PLANS to formally merge
Dorridge Infant and Junior School
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One resident objected to the
plans, which have been put forward by the schools’ joint governing body and
would take affect from September.
Both have one head teacher
and serve the same catchment and move would technically close the junior school
and expand its age range to include infant.
One objection said: The
information provided to parents does not make a clear or evidence-based case in
favour, with vague and woolly-worded reasons put forward.
“There is no exposition as to
why and how the current (historic) structure is no longer suitable, which would
be a reasonable question to ask.”
They pointed to an August
Ofsted inspection of the Junior school that found it “requires improvement”.
The objection to the council said: “I feel the immediate and over-arching priority for the schools’
(relatively new) management is to prove themselves capable of raising the
standards in the short term.
“Without a clear, unambiguous
case put forward by the Governers to say exactly how the proposed restructuring will
enable management to achieve improved standards, the real danger in my view is that the
restructuring will become an unwanted distraction to management and will, in the
short term at least, make it more difficult for them to focus and deliver the improvements that
the majority of parents are genuinely anxious for.”
Another asked for the new
uniform to “be simplified and made less expensive, especially with regard to
the PE kit?
“Today I rang Palmers of
Knowle, one of the 2 local uniform stockists I'm aware of, to ask the cost of
the PE kit. They quoted £11.99 for the tshirt and £17.50 for the rugby shirt,
both of which have to be in special
colours and/or badged. In addition to these items, parents are required to provide shorts,
tracksuit bottoms and socks in specified colours as well as pumps and training shoes.”
The governing body has
written to parents to state there will be no uniform changes until September
next year.
A council report said: “The governing
body of the Dorridge schools believe that this proposal will have a positive
impact on standards at both schools by supporting transition for pupils between key stages,
providing a more consistent approach to assessment for pupils and supporting staff
development.”
“The all-through primary
school will provide benefits to ensure better rates of progression in learning and
achievement throughout the school. It will also allow for greater movement of teachers
across the school and establish a coherent ethos across all key stages.”
It recommends Ken Meeson, cabinet
member for Education, Children and Young People, approve the plans to move to
formal representation stage on Monday.
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