Site chosen for extended primary school in Shawbury

After months of discussion a decision has been made on the site for the expanded Shawbury school.

The decision was made earlier this year to close Shawbury Primary School and extend St Mary’s CE Primary School, creating one primary school in Shawbury. Shropshire Council’s Cabinet then agreed to further consultation on the location of the school in the village.

A Joint Strategic Committee was formed consisting of governor representatives from both St Mary’s CE Primary School and Shawbury Primary Schools, with representatives from Shropshire Council, to decide on the site and to plan ahead for the extended primary school in Shawbury from September 2012.  A feasibility study was carried out by the council to help the committee determine which of the two sites would be most suitable.

The committee has now chosen the current Shawbury Primary School site as their preferred site for the extended St Mary’s Primary School.

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“I am really pleased that the committee has been able to come to a decision on the new site for the primary school.  We are pleased to support this decision and recognise the positive approach that the committee has taken to what has been a very difficult task.”

 She added:

“We have been supporting the committee throughout this time and I would like to thank all involved for the careful thought, discussion and consideration in determining the new site, and I now hope that we can continue working together to make the new school an excellent school for all children, parents, staff and the wider community.”

Jo Humphreys and Norman Aldhous, chairs of the Joint Strategic Committee, said:

“We are glad that we are now able to move on and start developing our new school.  This has been a very difficult decision for all concerned, but we have ensured that we stayed objective and made the decision based on what site would give us the opportunity to deliver an ever-improving quality of education provision.

“We would like to commend all of the governors on the fair, objective and amicable way in which the whole discussion took place.  We would also like to thank the council which has supported us throughout this process, and all parents and guardians for their continued support.”

The appointment of a new headteacher for the school is due to take place in early next year (2012), and they will take on the role of the new head of the combined school from September 2012.