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.
