main content Views Sought about Proposed Amalgamation of Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools

Bromley Council has launched a consultation exercise which seeks the public’s views about its proposal to amalgamate Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools, which are located in Biggin Hill.

The amalgamation would create a primary school for 4½-11 year olds, utilising both school buildings. The Primary school would open in April 2009 and would take up to 90 children into its reception classes each year, the same number as can be currently admitted to the Infant School.

The proposal is explained in an information leaflet, ‘Consultation on a Proposal to Create a new Primary School through the Amalgamation of Oaklands Infant & Junior Schools’, which will be available from Bromley Council Offices and Biggin Hill Library. Alternatively, you can phone 020 8313 4088 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Executive Councillor for Children and Young People, Ernest Noad, said:

“I would urge everyone with an interest in this important consultation to respond with their views so that they can be taken into account in the decision making process. Bromley Council welcomes your views”.

The deadline for responses is 6 June 2008 and there are a number of different ways in which you can make your views known:

• Complete and return the tear-off slip in the leaflet (free post).
• Email Bromley Council at oaklands.consultation@bromley.gov.uk.
• Write a letter to Gillian Pearson, director of children and young people services, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH.
• Fax your response to Bromley Council on 020 8313-4049.
• Make comments at the public meeting which has been organised to discuss the proposal:
• Oaklands Junior School, Oaklands Lane, Biggin Hill at 7:00pm on 20 May 2008.

Bromley Council hopes that you take this opportunity to comment on its proposal for the Oaklands Schools.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The decision to consult on this proposal was taken by Councillor Ernest Noad, Bromley Council’s Executive Councillor for Children and Young People, at his meeting on 25 March 2008. The governors of both schools support the proposal.
• The strategic planning of primary school places and school organisation in the Borough is organised through the Primary Schools’ Development Plan. The Plan gives a commitment to investigate the potential for amalgamation of infant and junior schools where the opportunity arises. A key responsibility of the Local Authority, allied to the provision of sufficient school places for children of statutory school age, is the delivery of high quality and efficient education. Whilst the Primary Schools’ Development Plan largely focuses on the supply of places and strategic school organisation, the quality of the education provided by those places is also a major consideration.
• Since March 2007, Oaklands Junior School has been judged by the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) to require ‘Special Measures’. Securing the long-term stability of the leadership of the school is a key issue that needs to be addressed. The implementation of this proposal will achieve this through the creation of a new primary school under the leadership of one Head Teacher.
• Oaklands Infant School was judged to be outstanding by OfSTED following an inspection in February 2007.
• Bromley Council and the Governors of both schools consider the best way to achieve the amalgamation of both schools with as little disruption as possible is by formal closure of the junior school, and expanding the age - range of the current infant school to include Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) pupils.
• For further information about this News Release, please contact Mike Barnes on 020 8313 4865, or email mike.barnes@bromley.gov.uk
• Further information is available on Bromley Council’s website at www.bromley.gov.uk.