Purpose

The Cabinet Member for Children and Public
Protection to decide whether to proceed with the amalgamation of
the schools.

Decision

Summary of Decision: The Cabinet
Member for Children and Public Protection has taken the decision to
approve proceeding with plans for the amalgamation of Barrow Hill
Junior, George Eliot Primary and Robinsfield Schools to take effect from the
1st September 2025.
 
Reason for Decision: The three
schools do not have enough children to fill three forms of entry in
three separate schools as this would result in vacancies across all
year groups in September 2025.  Pupil forecasts indicate a
continuing decline in demand for primary school places for at least
the next five years. The joining of the schools will provide
pupils with a full and enriched curriculum as the school will be
fully subscribed and fully funded per pupil. The governors of
Barrow Hill, and the George Eliot and Robinsfield Federation, agree that now is the right
time to move to becoming a single primary school to secure
sustainable and high-quality education for their children now and
into the future.