We are writing to update you on the Pershore Area Review consultation findings and recommendations that are being presented to Worcestershire County Council Cabinet on Thursday 21 April 2022. The papers for Cabinet are now live and can be viewed online on the Worcestershire County Council website Browse meetings – Cabinet – Worcestershire County Council (moderngov.co.uk).
In summary, the paper recommends that Cabinet agrees a commitment in principle to support a collective change of age range to align schools in the Pershore Education Planning Area (EPA) to a single, two-tier (primary and secondary) system of education subject to funding being fully secured.
As was requested by the schools in the Pershore Area, Worcestershire County Council carried out a consultation to seek views of change of age ranges and organisation of schools across the area and if possible, coordinate any changes. This is to ensure there is an agreed, clear and practical pathway for children to move on from each school affected by the change.
Until a collective solution for funding the whole pyramid is identified, Cabinet cannot take proposals forward for further coordinated change of age ranges.
We will be continuing to work with all partners the Department for Education, schools, the Diocese of Worcester and Multi-Academy Trust Boards to identify a collective solution to fund the changes required.
As a consequence, at this time, the timeline for converting first schools to primary schools for September 2023, and full conversion to primary and secondary organisation of schools for Pershore in September 2024 is not possible. If we cannot collectively find the solutions, changes for September 2025 will not be achievable either.
We appreciate that this will be frustrating for many families who have indicated they want this to happen as soon as possible, but we would like to assure you that we remain committed to finding a solution to make age range changes in the Pershore area.
We ask that all schools in Pershore communicate the above information to parent carers. We will keep you regularly updated as proposals are secured.
Director for Education , Early Years, Inclusion and Place Planning Worcestershire Children First
Cllr Marcus Hart Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education Worcestershire County Council