Two Shrewsbury schools moving towards merger
The first steps are being taken to merge two secondary schools in what would be one of the biggest shake-ups in Shrewsbury's education system for years.
The Grange School and Sundorne School and Sports College would become a single secondary school, combining their resources in new buildings within 10 years, if the vision becomes reality.
Both schools operate within Shrewsbury Academies Trust, and the trust's principal, Geoff Pettengell, is spearheading the multi-million-pound project, which is in its very early stages.
The new school would be for up to 900 students.
Mr Pettengell said: "The initial letters have just gone out to stakeholders in the first stages of consultation, setting out in very general terms what we believe is a compelling and exciting vision for the future.
"The creation of a single top-level secondary school would make perfect educational and economic sense and enable the young people in this area of Shrewsbury to maximise their potential. Both Sundorne and The Grange are comparatively small schools, so the plan is to create a new educational centre in Shrewsbury which will accommodate approximately 850 to 900 students aged 11 to 16, and possibly older.
"As both schools date back to the 1950s, they are in constant need of repair. The facilities and resources will be much improved and the curriculum will be broader."
He added: "We see this as an enormously positive step which will see the young people of north Shrewsbury being given the best possible learning opportunities."
Consultation closes on July 9 and meetings will be held within this period.
