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main content Amalgamation of Biggin Hill Infant and Junior Schools - Frequently Asked Questions

What does this proposal mean?

It means that a new, single, primary school would be created through the amalgamation of the two existing schools. The new school would include pupils from Reception age to Year 6. The school would admit fewer pupils at Reception than is currently the case at the infant school. The school would be located in the same buildings as currently, with Bromley Council and the schools looking to make enhancements to enable it to function effectively as a single school.

Why is an all-through primary school the best structure for the future?

The creation of a new primary school offers the opportunity to build upon the strengths of both schools. The new primary school will build upon the existing linkages between the schools. All pupils entering Reception would receive their education from Reception to Year 6 upon the existing site without the need to transfer between the two schools. Bromley Council’s proposal has the support of both Governing Bodies. Bromley Council feels that the proposal is in the best long term interest of the children and their families.

What are the drawbacks of an all-through primary school?

• The creation of a larger primary school affects the ethos of smaller infant and junior schools. 
• One Head Teacher has less ability to focus upon either Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 due to the larger range of responsibilities.

Bromley Council will work very closely with the existing schools and the new school to ensure that these concerns do not become a reality. Our previous experience of amalgamating Infant and Junior schools to create Primary Schools indicates that these concerns are not realised; in particular, the management structure of the new primary school would need to address the needs of both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and ensure an appropriate ethos for each.

What would a primary school mean for pupils?

All pupils who would be attending either Biggin Hill Infant or Biggin Hill Junior school in January 2008 would automatically be enrolled within the new primary school. This includes all pupils who are due to start at either of the existing schools in January 2008. After January 2008, pupils would not need to transfer between schools at age seven as they currently do.

What would a primary school mean for parents?

After January 2008, once a child is enrolled within the primary school there would be no need to reapply for schools at age seven. A single primary school will provide greater continuity of education between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2; it will operate under a single set of policies and procedures with a single Head Teacher accountable for your child’s progress and development. It will ensure effective co-ordination of In Service Training days for staff, and commonality of school uniform.

What would a primary school mean for staff?

The new school will require a new structure of teaching staff. Bromley Council has well established procedures for supporting staff during this period, and will consult fully with staff within both existing schools. The temporary Governing Body of the new primary school would appoint the teaching and support staff and will give priority to staff from the existing schools.

When and how would the new primary school be created?

Bromley Council would seek to open the new primary school in January 2008, which requires the legal closure of the existing Biggin Hill Infant and Biggin Hill Junior schools. Meantime, the staff and Governing Bodies of the existing infant and junior schools will remain absolutely focused upon and committed to ensuring that pupils continue to enjoy their education and make effective progress.

A temporary Governing Body (TGB) will be established to oversee the creation of the new primary school. The two existing schools would be represented on the TGB. The TGB will: 

• work very closely with existing Governors and staff; 
• communicate regularly with schools, parents and pupils to ensure that people are involved and informed; 
• consult with staff and unions regarding new staffing structure, and appoint a new Head Teacher and staff as soon as possible; 
• agree and name a new primary school, its uniform, and the timing of the school day; 
• create the policies and procedures for the new school.

What is the decision-making process?

A formal decision on whether to proceed with the proposal will be taken at the Children and Young People Portfolio Holder meeting on 27 March 2007 and the Executive meeting on 2 April 2007. Should the decision be in favour of the proposal, Bromley Council will publish the proposal in the form of a Public Notice and Statement of Case.

There then follows a statutory six week period in which representations (e.g. objections or supportive comments) can be made. If no responses are received, Bromley Council would enact the proposal. If written representations are received, the matter is referred to the School Organisation Committee (SOC). This body is independent of the Council, and includes representatives from the Church of England, Catholic Diocese, Schools and Bromley Council. Each of the groups must agree to the proposal. If they do agree, the proposal is implemented. If the SOC do not agree, it is referred to the Schools’ Adjudicator, who makes the decision.

What if I disagree with the decision about the proposal?

Should you disagree with the decision reached by the Children and Young People Portfolio Holder and the Executive at their meetings on 27 March and 2 April 2007 respectively, you can write to the School Organisation Committee (SOC) to make your views known during the statutory six week period following publication of the Public Notice and Statement of Case. The SOC would then consider this and any other representations (these could be objections or supportive comments) and arrive at a decision concerning the proposal. Each of the groups on SOC must agree to the proposal.  If they do agree, the proposal is implemented.  If the SOC does not agree, it is referred to the Schools’ Adjudicator, who makes the decision.