Shake-up could see end of 'middle schools'
The restructuring of secondary schools in Leicestershire has taken a major step forward after the Government said it was likely to contribute millions of pounds sooner than expected.
The county's school map is set to be changed forever in a project education officials describe as a "radical" transformation.
It is likely to spell the end of the middle school system in many areas.
Education bosses at County Hall have been working on plans to get Government cash for some time, but it now looks like they will become a reality sooner than expected.
It was expected that the Government would not give the cash until 2012 at the earliest, but it has now indicated it could offer funds as early as next year.
Officials have drawn up a timetable which would see schools in Loughborough and Quorn revamped first, and be completed by 2014 at a cost of about £80 million.
Schools in the Hinckley and Earl Shilton area would be next in line, followed by those in North West Leicestershire and Shepshed.
It would cost £100 million each to rebuild or refurbish the schools in both these areas.
No concrete proposals have been revealed, though most of the money would be spent on remodeling and rebuilding existing schools.
Councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for education, said: "We hope to get several waves of investment to improve schools."
As well as signalling the end of the middle school system, the changes are also likely to see children leaving primary school at 10 rather than 11.
Father-of-three Simon Ghent, of Loughborough, has spearheaded the One Through School campaign, calling for an end to the middle school system in that area.
He said: "The whole campaign is based around ensuring our children got continuity in their education, which will have benefits in their results at 16."
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by Sue, Oadby
Friday, November 14 2008, 3:23PM
“Tim
I am glad that you think that through schools are the answer BUT it really doesn't change the facts that children who have not been taught to read and have a reading age that is at least equivalent or higher than their chronological age are significantly disadvantaged whatever the transfer age.”
by Tim Birkinshaw, Loughborough
Friday, November 14 2008, 1:48PM
“Of course it will. Loughborough's high schools have a good record of helping children of all abilities. Their KS3 results and OFSTED reports show that. It would appear not to be the case in Oadby.
All Through education will ensure that there is much greater continuity of provision and support . This will benefit all, be they children labelled with disabilities or just children who do not cope well with change at a difficult time in their lives.
The key then will be to make sure than transfer from primary does not become the weak link.
Perhaps your transfer at 10 is part of the problem.”
by Sue, Oadby
Friday, November 14 2008, 9:28AM
“Only if that funding results in ALL children benefitting Tim.”
by Tim Birkinshaw, Loughborough
Thursday, November 13 2008, 1:09PM
“The news that funding will be released several years earlier than expected for restructuring of Leicestershire muddled and out of date secondary system is very good news, especially for the children and parents in the Loughborough area.”
by Sue, Oadby
Monday, November 10 2008, 11:58AM
“So pleased you enjoy agood friday afternoon debate. I checked the issues you raised in Mercury search this site facility and found entries for most of them. Autism brings up some results as does learning difficulties but Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia returned no results on this site. These are the hidden difficulties and learning differences which, many people, of whom some will be teachers, prefer to ignore. This can result in the children being bullied both by staff and children because there is no attempt to teach them in the ways they learn. The affected children can develop behaviour problems because they cannot access the curriculum and are, in effect, being excluded even though they are in the room. Every school and every classroom is likely to have several of these children so being Dyslexia friendly would help to eradicate some of the other issues including total ignorance or unwillingness to acknowledge that these children have a right to be taught just as much as any other child.”