Two Shrewsbury schools set to merge as a single academy
Shrewsbury's Sundorne and Grange schools are to be merged and called the Shrewsbury Academy, it was announced today.
Geoff Pettengell, executive principal and CEO of the Shrewsbury Academies Trust revealed the news in a letter sent out to parents.
He said: "The plan is to have one secondary school serving the north of the town. We are awaiting the outcome of a bid for a new building to make the vision a reality."
Mr Pettengell said "the vast majority of jobs are safe", adding: "It is hoped that any staffing reductions through reorganisation will be achieved through voluntary means, natural wastage, discussion and mutual agreement."
His letter to parents said: "Given the current financial circumstances relating to all schools and The Grange School in particular, it has been agreed that a desirable interim step of moving towards the bigger vision in a new building should be to create one school sharing the current facilities ie a split site school. The split site school would commence 1st September 2016.
"The proposal from the SAT Board is as follows: That from 1st September 2016 a single school is created within North Shrewsbury replacing the existing two small secondary schools. This school will operate across two sites with all Y7 and Y8 being located at the current Grange site from September 2017. It is proposed that all Y9, Y10 and Y11 be located at the current Sundorne site from September 2017.
"The suggested name of the school is Shrewsbury Academy. The first year from September 2016 is a transitional year with some smaller year groups remaining in each school.
"Consultation will start on Thursday 29th January 2015 with Local Governing Bodies and will continue for 6 weeks involving staff, parents, students and the wider community. It is important that the Local Authority have all admissions documentation correct and in place ready to recruit students to the single school at the Open Evenings taking place in October 2015.
"The EFA will be asked for formal permission to undertake this reorganisation at the end of the consultation – Easter 2015 at the latest."
