Large MAT’s proposal to “merge” two primary schools scuppered following scepticism from Headteacher Board

A major academy trust was criticised by its regional “Headteacher Board” for coming up with proposals to “merge” two primary schools within weeks of taking them over –only for the move then to be thrown out by the government.

Leigh Academies Trust, much-written-about on this website, seems to have provoked raised eyebrows from the board in July after coming up with proposals to close Stoke Primary Academy on the Hoo peninsula near Rochester in Kent, moving its pupils to another school it also now runs, called Allhallows.

The two schools are 1.5 miles apart. Leigh told parents in May that “both schools are operating well below capacity”, and that “the local demographic trend [is that] this is likely to continue into the future”.

In addition, “as the finances of academies are reliant on pupil numbers it is currently viable only to operate mixed aged classes outside of nursery and early years…through this proposal we will ensure that every pupil is taught in single age classes; this will significantly improve their learning experiences.”

However, the move has come to nothing – for now at least - after the schools’ local Headteacher Board (HTB) registered scepticism.