Top-rated Wolverhampton schools to merge under new plan
Two top city schools are to merge under plans to improve standards and save money, it has emerged.
Council bosses are being asked to launch a consultation on the proposed merger of Whitgreave Infant and Whitgreave Junior Schools in Low Hill, Wolverhampton.
The move follows the retirement of the infant school’s head teacher this summer, prompting the governing boards of both schools to consider their future organisation. A merger was the recommendation of both boards.
In the meantime, the headteacher of Whitgreave Junior School, described as ‘an inspirational leader’ by Ofsted, has been appointed acting head of the infant school.
Whitgreave Juniors was judged to be the best primary school in Wolverhampton in the last academic year and awarded a five-star rating in The Primary Real Schools Guide 2017, being ranked 100th overall, out of 14,459 primary schools.
The school earned maximum points for attendance, progress and attainment.
Wolverhampton Council’s schools strategy outlines a number of advantages of bringing infant and junior schools together.
They include avoiding the upheaval faced by pupils moving from infant to junior school and the likelihood of lost learning at the start of Key Stage 2.
It is also felt a merger will increase the opportunity of using specialist teachers to work with a wider range of children, ensure continuity and save costs.
The infant school, in Low Hill Crescent, offers 60 places each year group, from reception to year two, plus 60 nursery places. Ofsted inspectors rated it as ‘good’ following their last visit in 2014, with pupils achieving well.
The junior school, in Goodyear Avenue offers a similar 60-per-year group number of admissions. It was judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2015.
The two schools share the same site but are separated by a playing field.
The cabinet is being recommended to approve the start of informal talks on the merger proposal with a view to creating a new primary school for children aged three to 11 with effect from September 1 next year.
The cabinet is due to discuss the issue next Wednesday.
