Shake-up could see infant and junior schools merge

RADICAL plans to amalgamate infant and junior schools in Littlehampton into primary schools have been announced by West Sussex County Council.Arun Vale Infant, Elm Grove Infant and Connaught Junior Schools would be merged to form a primary school, as would Wickbourne Infant and Flora McDonald Junior Schools.

Meanwhile, Lyminster Infant School would become a primary school.

The county council has identified up to 10m to invest in Littlehampton primary education. This is on top of the proposal to establish an academy to transform learning for secondary pupils.

If the proposals get the go-ahead, the aim is to have the new school system open and ready for business by September 1, 2011.

The consultation, which began last week, will run until June 4.

A consultation document is being sent to all parents, school governors, teachers and support staff who work in the schools involved.

Copies are also being sent to local councils, the Learning and Skills Council, church dioceses, leaders of early years facilities, community groups, unions, professional associations and others.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette April 30