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Published:
April 22, 2009
Two Highbridge schools could merge
to form new primary school
 Proposals
to amalgamate two schools in Highbridge to form a single primary
school are set to be considered by Somerset County Council’s
Executive Board next week.
Beechfield Infants School and St John’s Church of England
Junior School, which are on adjacent sites on Burnham Road, could
merge to form a new primary school for children aged four to eleven
years.
Somerset
County Council has said this week that amalgamating the schools
would allow for major improvements to school buildings and better
provision for students.
David
Taylor, Corporate Director of Children’s Services told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"There are very positive reasons for bringing these two successful
schools together. However, it is important that we consult so
the scheme has backing from parents, teachers, students and the
wider community."
 Sheelagh
Aslett, head teacher of Beechfield Infants, pictured right, added:
"I believe that this amalgamation would build on strengths
of the existing schools and better help children reach their full
potential."
And Claire Nurse, head teacher of St John's, said: "I think
amalgamation would be very beneficial for pupils’ education.
Staff of both schools would be working together under a common
ethos using all their expertise to provide a broad, rich curriculum."
The
proposals for the schools would need approval from Somerset County
Council’s Executive Board and the Diocesan Board of Education.
A formal consultation process would target statutory consultees
including parents, staff, teachers, pupils, trades unions, Hiughbridge's
MP and district and parish councils.
If amalgamation is supported it would take place in time for the
autumn term 2010 at the earliest.
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