Note: These FAQs are for informational purposes only. For the latest details about the project and next steps please read the full Cabinet report.
Why was Colvestone Primary School proposed for merging with Princess May?
At Colvestone, in 2014 Reception was full with no unfilled places and there were 3% unfilled places across all year groups (6 places out of 210). By January 2023 there were 40% unfilled Reception places (12 places out of 30) and 38% unfilled places (80 places out of 210, or nearly 3 classes) across all year groups.
There were a total of 12 offers made on national offer day for children to join the school in September 2023.
* assumes 12 children join reception each year and that no children leave or join the school in other year groups. Based on reception to year 6 primary phase only.
At Princess May, in 2014 there were 2% unfilled Reception places (1 place out of 60) and 6% unfilled places across all year groups (24 places out of 420). By 2022 this had increased to 68% unfilled Reception places (41 places out of 60) and 53% unfilled places (222 places out of 420, or more than 7 classes) across all year groups. This downward trend is forecast to continue. The number of pupils that the school can admit has been temporarily reduced to 30 for Reception and Years 1, 3, 4 and 5.
There were a total of 29 offers made on national offer day for children to join the school in September 2023.
* assumes 29 children join reception each year and that no children leave or join the school in other year groups. Based on reception to year 6 primary phase only.
Princess May and Colvestone are both facing the issue of falling rolls. The proposal to merge Colvestone with Princess May is due to the close proximity of the schools, minimising disruption, but also due to both schools having a high surplus, as well as high unused capacity in their buildings. Princess May is 0.3 miles away from Colvestone, a 6-minute walk. The process of merging would create a stronger and more stable school.
Princess May Primary School was selected to host the merger because it is a two-form entry school building with a current net capacity of 420, and a site of almost 5,000 sqm, and it has sufficient capacity to accommodate all the children from Colvestone.
Princess May also has the capacity to host additional classes if needed in the future.
Would Princess May become a three-form entry school if it merges with Colvestone?
Even if the merger proceeds as proposed, Princess May wouldn’t be a three-form entry, as it has also been affected by falling rolls in recent years. Intake from Colvestone would mean it would remain a two-form entry.
While small one-form schools are sometimes preferred by parents, they are often impacted more by income loss as a result of falling rolls.
Benefits of being part of a two-form school are stability of teachers, the ability to pool more resources to diversify the offer for children.
Will the merged school be given a new name?
If the proposal to merge Colvestone with Princess May goes through, the merged school will maintain the name Princess May at this stage in the process. After the merge is finalised, the governing body can decide if they would like to consider changing the name of the school.
Will the quality of learning offered at Princess May suffer if there will be more pupils coming in?
Merged schools would have access to more financial resources, more staff, and would be able to focus more on offering high quality education and support, to allow all children to reach their potential.
Is there going to be an additional teaching assistant as the number of the students in the class will increase?
It would be up to the new governing body of the merged school to decide on what to spend the additional funding they would be entitled to - this could include more support staff.
Is the merger going to affect school uniforms?
The governing body of the merged school would decide if there is any change of the uniforms.
Where can I find more information about the project?
You can find the latest information in the latest Cabinet report. You can also access the initial information pack distributed to families in March 2023: Princess May Primary School information pack.