Why is one of the proposals for Sir Thomas Abney Primary School to merge with Holmleigh Primary School?
Merging the two schools can bring several benefits. It would allow Sir Thomas Abney Primary School’s large financial deficit to be removed by the Council. An enlarged Holmleigh Primary School would give the school access to more funding with more children attending the school. This could provide more teachers, learning materials, and support extra activities such as school trips, and breakfast and afterschool clubs. There would continue to be a school in the local area so that children continue learning in a familiar environment, even if some changes are made.
Holmleigh Primary School and Sir Thomas Abney Primary School are very close, less than 650 metres from each other. Holmleigh Primary School children would therefore be able to travel to the new school site. Holmleigh Primary School is judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted and would benefit financially from becoming a two form entry school. This option would make good use of the bigger Sir Thomas Abney site for continued educational use.
More information can be found in the Cabinet report.
What would the merger between Sir Thomas Abney Primary School and Holmleigh Primary School look like?
A merger of Holmleigh Primary School and Sir Thomas Abney Primary School would require the closure of Sir Thomas Abney Primary School and the enlargement of Holmleigh Primary School from one form of entry (30 children per year group) to two forms of entry (60 children per year group), to accommodate the displaced Sir Thomas Abney Primary School pupils.
Holmleigh Primary School would also relocate to the Sir Thomas Abney Primary School site to accommodate the enlarged school. The Holmleigh site is too small to house the pupils from both schools.
What would happen to the Language Resource Provision that exists at Sir Thomas Abney Primary School if it merges with Holmleigh Primary School?
Sir Thomas Abney Primary School has a language resource provision which provides extra support for pupils who have a diagnosis of developmental language disorder or severe speech disorder.
If the proposal to merge Sir Thomas Abney Primary School with Holmleigh Primary School goes ahead, the council would move the language resource provision to Holmleigh Primary School, so that the children who currently attend it could move over with it.
Why would the merged school be called Holmleigh Primary School, if it stays on Sir Thomas Abney Primary School’s site? Can the school be given a different name?
If the proposal to merge Sir Thomas Abney Primary School with Holmleigh Primary School goes through, the merged school will maintain the name Holmleigh Primary School at this stage in the process. After the merger is finalised, the governing body may decide to consider changing the name of the school.
What would happen to the staff at Holmleigh Primary School in case of a merger?
The expansion of Holmleigh Primary School and move to a new site will not affect the employment of the staff or Headteacher at Holmleigh Primary School.
How many children does Sir Thomas Abney Primary School have? How many children would Holmleigh Primary School have if it merged with Sir Thomas Abney Primary School?
The number of pupils likely to be impacted is set out in the table below based on the May 2024 census and Reception 2024 offers, in July 2024. The number of children potentially impacted is constantly changing as pupils join and leave schools.
It is anticipated that some families will exercise their right to apply to other schools local to their home and move children prior to a final decision.
| School | R | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmleigh Primary School | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 205 |
| Sir Thomas Abney Primary School | 27 | 20 | 28 | 26 | 33 | 22 | 24 | 180 |
| Total | 56 | 49 | 58 | 55 | 63 | 51 | 53 | 385 |
Will the quality of learning offered at Holmleigh Primary School suffer if there will be more pupils in the same school?
An enlarged Holmleigh Primary School would mean more funding with more children attending the school. Increased resources would help establish a more resilient and sustainable, single school going forward, maximising opportunities for improved accommodation and facilities. There would be greater potential to offer an enhanced range of wraparound and extended provision for the benefit of both school communities.
The enlarged school would need to employ more teachers bringing greater capacity to offer high quality education and support to allow all children to reach their potential, particularly the more vulnerable. There would be increased leadership capacity to ensure the continuity of strong educational outcomes for its pupils.
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 depending on the needs of the pupils who attend the school.
Is the merger going to affect school uniforms?
After the merger is finalised, the governing body can decide if they would like to consider any change to uniforms. All families will be able to apply for support with the cost of buying new uniforms if that is required as a result of implementing the proposal.
What would happen with Holmleigh Primary School if Sir Thomas Abney Primary School closes instead of merging with Holmleigh Primary School?
If Sir Thomas Abney Primary School closes without merging, Holmleigh Primary School would not be affected.
Where can I find more information about the proposals?
You can find the latest information on the project page. You can also access the initial information pack distributed to families with a child at Holmleigh Primary School in September 2024: Holmleigh Primary School information pack.
How can I share my views on the proposals?
We are now asking parents, staff, and all others interested to share their views as part of this consultation on the proposals. Your opinions and comments submitted during this stage will be considered before any further decisions are made.
We welcome ideas and/or alternative options you may have about the future of the school. Your input, suggestions and feedback are important in helping us to further understand what the school means to the children, parents/carers, staff and local community.
You can take part in the consultation by completing the response form.