01/02/2012 - Permalink

Cabinet to hear about progress of school federation plans

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Work to encourage and support schools to join more closely together will be discussed by Shropshire councillors next week. 

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 8 February 2012 will be given an update on progress that has been made since it was recommended that the governing bodies of 20 schools should give formal consideration to federation. 

Federation involves two or more schools coming together with a single governing body. 

In February 2011 Cabinet recommended that the following schools should work towards forming eight federations and the council has offered a range of support to develop their plans: 

  • Baschurch, Weston Lullingfields and Myddle primary schools
  • Kinlet, Farlow and Stottesdon primary schools
  • Ludlow infant and junior schools
  • Market Drayton infant and junior schools
  • Newcastle, St George’s (Clun), Clunbury and St Mary’s (Bucknell) primary schools
  • Norton-in-Hales and Woore primary schools
  • Whitchurch infant and junior schools
  • Woodfield infant and St George’s junior schools (Shrewsbury) 

Cabinet will hear about the different stages which each group has reached. 

The council is also offering support and advice to other schools wishing to explore federation.  In January this year Stiperstones CE Primary School and Chirbury CE Primary School achieved federation status, as well as Lydbury North CE Primary School and Onny CE Primary School. 

All Shropshire schools are being encouraged to consider collaboration, including exploring becoming federations, due to the benefits which can include: 

  • Improving pupils’ achievements
  • Increasing continuity, ie from infant to junior school
  • Helping to strengthen schools’ long term futures
  • Increased efficiencies, through better use of time and resources, including staff expertise 

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet member responsible for schools, said:

“As we continue to work to address the challenges facing education in Shropshire, and provide the best education for all county pupils for years to come, we are encouraging more schools to consider collaborating, including joining together as federations.  

“Schools across the county are urged to pursue federation to make the best use of resources, offer a much stronger model to secure their future and improve the quality of education for all learners. 

“Next week we will recognise the efforts of those schools which have achieved federation status, and those which are making good progress towards this, as well as strengthening collaborations. 

“Cabinet will also be asked to agree future actions which focus on continuing to encourage and support the development of federations – and we look forward to working with more schools to progress these plans as we move forward.”