Latest news with #schoolmerger
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lambeth primary schools to merge as birth rates fall
Two Catholic schools in Lambeth, south London, are the latest schools in London to merge due to a drop in pupil numbers and falling birth September, St Bernadette Catholic Junior School will join into St Bede's Catholic Infant and Nursery School, on the St Bede's site, to create one primary school for ages 3-11. According to Lambeth Council, the past ten years have seen a drop of almost 30% in pupil numbers, the equivalent of 18 classes. Westminster City Council has recently approved two separate school mergers while in Southwark, eight schools have shut since 2022. It comes after Lambeth Council moved to close or amalgamate a number of schools in the borough to alleviate pressure on the council's currently receive funding from central government on a per-pupil basis so a decline in pupils mean reduced borough currently has 4,555 empty spaces across all primary schools."If we do nothing across these schools, the cumulative deficit position for them is expected to reach £17 million by March 2026," the council said as part of its consultation on changes. St Bede's and St Bernadette Catholic Schools already work in partnership, under the umbrella name The Federation, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).All pupils at St Bernadette's will be offered a place at the new school and all permanent staff on a federation contract will move to the new site. 'Greater financial security' Ewa Ostrynska, headteacher at St Bede's, said the majority of pupils and parents were "very excited" about the merger, and that staff already worked across both said the merger would allow the school community to "thrive", and that it would "strengthen spiritual partnership" with the church and headteacher added: "Of course it will ensure greater financial security for the schools and more stability for pupils, staff and the local community and potential cost savings as well."She added that the new school would allow the transition from nursery to primary to be "seamless" and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children would be supported all the way from aged 3 to Ostrynska added parents would benefit from bringing their children to one site rather than travelling to separate locations, and that staff would benefit from opportunities such as gaining more experience and Kind, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said the merger was about "acting pro-actively and responsibly" to create an all-through primary school which would "preserve Catholic education locally".
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Westminster primary schools merge as pupil numbers fall
Five primary schools in Westminster are to be reduced down to two, via two separate mergers, after all the schools involved reported falling student numbers, and financial Hill Junior School, Robinsfield Infant School and George Eliot Primary School will merge to become St John's Wood Primary School. Our Lady of Dolours will be merged into St Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary at both sets of schools had fought the proposals, with one consultation showing 83% of people disagreed with the chairs of governors from the schools have said they appreciate the decision "will bring about some changes and perhaps a level of uncertainty". 'Falling birth rate' In December last year, the chairs of governors at the St John's Wood schools wrote to parents detailing the proposal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service explained how pressures such as a falling birth rates and the cost of housing were to blame. With schools receiving funding on a per-pupil basis, declining numbers equates to financial group explained that Barrow Hill was at 82% of capacity, George Eliot at 85% Robinsfield at 75%. Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels reported being at 54% and 80% capacity as of October 2024, culminating in estimated deficits this year of £550,000 and £186, at the schools chose to proceed with the plans to merge in the spring, then the proposals went to Westminster City Council for formal consultations. The need for merging schools has however been queried by some the case of Our Lady of Dolours and St Mary of the Angels, a petition opposing the move read: "The proposed amalgamation would push our school to operate at 130% capacity, leading to crowded classrooms and a likely decrease in the quality of learning. "Moreover, only half of the pupils from Our Lady of Dolours practice as Catholics. This discrepancy might cause a significant change in the religious character of the STMA community."A petition opposing the plans is due to be heard by Westminster City claimed issues such as a lack of evidence of considered alternative solutions and a failure to recognise the community feedback.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Numbers have to add up when deciding on closure of Hong Kong schools
Hong Kong's dwindling school-age population and low birth rate continue to put the education sector to the test. This is reflected in a growing number of schools losing government subsidies and having to be merged or axed because of insufficient enrolment. Given the trend is unlikely to turn around any time soon, more institutions may well shut in the coming years. Therefore, authorities should work with stakeholders to ensure a soft landing for the schools and students affected. Critics fear the new class-size regulations may well accelerate the demise of some disadvantaged schools. The Education Bureau has also raised the minimum number of students required to operate a class and scrapped alternative options that may give struggling schools a reprieve. As a result, the pupil threshold for a secondary school operating a Form One class will be raised from 25 to 27 starting in September. The requirement will be further tightened to 29 in 2026-27. Currently, secondary schools need to have at least two Form One classes, or a total of 26 students, to continue operating. With the changes, a school will have to enrol at least 28 students to run two classes to survive the coming academic year, and 30 pupils in 2026-27. Class sizes will also be subject to closer monitoring. Instead of a so-called annual headcount to ascertain numbers for Form One and Form Four every September, the exercise will be conducted in two other junior grades from September 2027-28, when the minimum two-class requirement for Form One will be extended to Form Two and Form Three. With the number of 12-year-olds estimated to drop from 58,800 this year to 49,800 in 2031, the challenges facing schools are unavoidable. The Education Bureau said the new rules aimed to offer quality education and address the needs of parents. But the shrinking population and higher threshold are also bound to make enrolment more difficult for some schools, especially those that are already struggling. Schools already on the brink of closure or merger may be excused for feeling dismayed and perplexed as to why the authorities are seemingly making it more difficult for them to survive. There are also concerns that popular schools will be able to enrol additional students and run extra classes, while even more schools for those not so good academically will be axed or merged at a quicker pace.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Improvement works at Guernsey school ahead of merger
Improvement works will be carried out at a Guernsey school campus ahead of a merger in September, Les Varendes High School, in St Peter Port, will be merged with La Mare de Carteret High School, which is currently based in of the merger, building work is taking place to create additional teaching and locker space, and to improve plumbing, electrics and Tomlin, Les Varendes High School principal, said she was "looking forward to welcoming" all the merged schools' pupils in September. "The upcoming programme of works will be better matched to our requirements and increased numbers so we can continue to strive for excellence," she work taking place includes new fencing and capping the school's swimming pool to create a "multi-functional space". What work is taking place? The work includes:New fencingReplacement windows and doorsConverting some existing science classrooms into general classroomsAdditional lockersNew doors to separate the hall and stage, providing additional teaching spacesCapping the swimming pool to create a new multi-functional space for teaching, meetings, dining and a social spaceChanging rooms updatesDevelopment of an Inclusion Space and a base for the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS)Moving staff room to accommodate new inclusion and additional needs spacesUpdates to cabling and Wi-Fi infrastructureReplacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and heating (MEPH) systemsParts of the old Sixth Form Centre will be used to accommodate the Youth Commission, the Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHARE) team and the Guernsey Music Service.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Help Youngstown Schools choose new name and mascot
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Youngstown City School District is preparing for a big change and it's turning to the community for help. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, East and Chaney high schools will merge, along with their middle schools. The district is now asking for the public's help with naming the new schools and choosing a mascot. An online survey is available on the district's website for families, students and community members to weigh in. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
