Deadline extended on school merger proposals

9:30am Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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PARENTS of primary schoolchildren in Frampton Cotterell have been given more time to comment on plans to amalgamate two schools.

Mums and dads with youngsters at Brockeridge Infants School and Highcroft Junior School had complained to South Gloucestershire Council about the lack of information made available on the proposal.

At a packed public meeting last week, parents said they could not support the merger without being told how it would work.

Many said they were worried their children would end up being taught in temporary classrooms.

One parent said: "You wouldn’t buy a house without knowing how many bedrooms it had."

The consultation period was due to end tomorrow but has now been extended until Friday, December 19.

Cllr Claire Young (Lib Dem, Westerleigh), said: "The deadline was extended after parents complained and local councillors took their concerns to the council’s cabinet. It shows that it’s well worth having your say."

A council spokesman said: "Consultation has been undertaken after one of the governing bodies approached the council expressing concern about the impact of falling pupil numbers on both schools.

"As a result, council officers held extensive informal discussions with the governors of both Brockeridge Infant School and Highcroft Junior School and they agreed that a formal consultation process on possible amalgamation of the two schools should take place.

"During the consultation, questions have been raised about some of the financial implications.

"Council officers are currently providing further information to the governing bodies of both schools in order to assist them in answering these questions.

"Consequently, we have extended the consultation until the end of term on December 19."

Some parents are completely against the merger and say they chose Brockeridge or Highcroft because infants and juniors were taught separately.

Cllr Dave Hockey (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell) said: "It is crucial that everyone locally who cares about the quality and choice of schools in our villages takes a few minutes to respond to this consultation which is so important not only to our children today but also in the future.

"If parents would prefer to keep both Brockeridge and Highcroft operational under a new headteacher or for the infants to stay put in Brockeridge until permanent buildings are provided on the Highcroft site for both infants and juniors, they need to make this clear in their responses."

For more information and to comment on the plans visit www.southglos.gov.uk/brockeridgehighcroft or pick up a copy of the report at the Brockeridge Centre any weekday morning.