Purpose

An initial consultation on a proposal to amalgamate Nevill Road Infant School and Nevill Road Junior School was held between 21 January and 24 February 2026. The Director of Education, Skills and Work considered the outcome of the consultation and with delegated powers, took the decision to publish statutory proposals on 9 March 2026. The representation period on the statutory proposals ended on 28 April 2026. Statutory timescales are clear that a decision on proposals must take place within two months following the closure of the period of representation. This report considers the representations submitted and the information contained within the statutory proposals and makes recommendations.

Decision

The Cabinet has considered the outcome of a consultation on a proposal to amalgamate Nevill Road Infant School and Nevill Road Junior School, and has:-

(1) Given approval to the proposal without modification to amalgamate Nevill Road Infant School and Nevill Road Junior School to form a single two-form entry maintained Nevill Road Primary School for children aged 2 to 11 years. This change would take effect from 1st September 2026, with a total capacity of 420 and a published admission number (PAN) of 60, noting with approval that in order to amalgamate the two schools and create a primary school, the Council will:

·         close Nevill Road Junior School from 31 August 2026.

·         expand the age range of Nevill Road Infant School 2 – 11 from 1 September 2026.

·         change the name of Nevill Road Infant School to Nevill Road Primary School from 1 September 2026.

·         enrol all pupils currently on roll at Nevill Road Junior School into the amalgamated Nevill Road Primary School from 1 September 2026.

(2) Agreed to request that the new governing body consider phasing in any new uniform for the new Nevill Road Primary School so that parents are not required to purchase a new uniform unnecessarily.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option for Nevill Road Infant School and Nevill Road Junior School is to do nothing and leave the schools as two separate schools. This would mean that significant levels of surplus capacity and predicted budget deficits were not addressed leaving schools in the area vulnerable to financial instability.